Are you thinking about hiring a wedding magician for your big day? Have you ever considered it? These days� magicians are becoming more and popular at weddings as they can help to break the ice on the big day.

For a lot of people the last time they wanted a magician at their party was when they were 8 years old but magicians don�t just work for children. Adults �know� it isn�t �real magic� but if the performer does his job right he can bring about the childlike state of wonder in an adult. A good magician can bring you right back to experience the fuzzy feeling you had as a kid when your grandfather pulled a coin out of your ear. Close-up magic is most often seen at weddings for a number of reasons. Close-up magic at weddings can be broken into 2 related areas: Strolling Magic or Table Magic.

Strolling Magic is when the magician mingles amongst the guests performing miracles with borrowed objects and simple objects he has on him. He works without a table and uses people hands when he needs to. This is an excellent choice if all the guests will be standing with drinks and eating finger food.

Another type of close-up magic that is closely related to strolling magic is table magic. Table magic is performed between the courses at dinners, wedding breakfasts, balls and banquets. You are more likely to see a short (between 3 � 8 minutes) mini cabaret act that has a structured feel to it. The magician may use the table but it will be as unobtrusive as possible because at weddings there is a premium on table real estate.

There are different times when a magician can perform during the big day.

Photographs

The post ceremony photographs can take a couple of hours before the meal starts. Not everybody will be involved with the majority of the snaps and this is a great time for magic to keep the guests entertained before the meal

During the Meal

Magic is also a perfect addition to the wedding breakfast working between courses. People feel compelled to open up after they have witnessed the impossible. It helps to bring people together who may have only met for the first time when they sit down at the table a few moments before.

Evening Reception

Magic is great at the start of the evening reception for an hour or two before the sherry sets in. Just as the evening guests arrive is the perfect time as the music isn't in full swing and people may be standing around awkwardly and looking to be brought into a group.

When choosing a professional magician for a wedding it is important to choose wisely as in any industry there are �cowboys�.

Questions you may like to ask any prospective performer you are engaging are...

How long have you been a professional? Some magicians may seem great on paper but as all know paper doesn�t refuse ink. Experience is the key in this industry so make sure they have cut their teeth and can prove it.

Can I see you perform? To see them live may be very if they work mainly at weddings, it�s very unlikely you would be able to see him work at another wedding although this is sometimes possible. There is a strong chance you could see him work at another type of event if he works shows for the public at hotels, bars and restaurants.

Have you got a brochure/video I can see?

Most professional performers will have promotional kits including photographs, video and brochure. A good promo kit doesn�t mean they are a good magician, it may just mean they know somebody who works at a printing press. A cheap and tatty looking promo kit doesn�t definitely mean the performer is bad, but it does show a lack of professionalism and that is a warning sign. In this day and age some performers have no hard copy for promotional use as it dates so quickly so there website acts as the brochure. If the website looks like it was made from cut outs of magazines then they are not interested in making a good first impression. Would you trust somebody who didn�t make a good first impression at your wedding?

Does the price include VAT and any other charges?

When in negotiations don�t forget to clarify if there as any other expense other than fee quoted.

What magic tricks do you do?

You should be able to gain a good idea of the style of the magician from any online or hardcopy brochure but if you want to know what kind of effects he/she performs � go ahead and ask!

Are you a member of any magic societies or performer bodies?

Many magicians will be members of different magic clubs around the world. In the UK the most prestigious is the The Magic Circle and in the US they maybe a member of the IBM or the Magic Castle. In the UK you will find many magicians are members of Equity the performers union which is another sign of their professionalism.

Have you got any referees I could phone?

This may seem like a reasonable question but a lot of magician�s work mainly in the corporate area and are not permitted to pass out the contact details of their bookers. You should be able to see testimonials and letters from clients on the websites/brochures. Of course the best way is personal recommendation; ask friends if they have ever hired a magician.

Have you got public liability insurance?

This is crucial. The magician will be in close contact to your guests and maybe borrowing objects from them for effects. You don�t want to end up with a magician who isn�t covered!