In a previous article I discussed "5 things to be aware of when booking a magician for your wedding." Naturally in writing that article I assumed you, the bride, (I’m making the assumption that it’s the bride reading this, as, let’s face it, the bride organises everything) had already decided that a magician is what you wanted, the help I gave was in finding the right one.

In this article I will take a step back and discuss WHY you should be booking a magician in the first place, or at least the pros and cons in doing so. Naturally I am moderately biased given that this is my profession, but I still think I can put forward a good case for the conjuring community.

Let’s start by remembering the fact that throughout your wedding day you will be the centre of attention, and so naturally your mind will not always be on the general welfare of your guests, especially during the photos where you will likely be occupied for a couple of hours. This is where a magician can step in to add that extra dimension to your guests wedding experience and give you peace of mind knowing that they are in good hands.

A good magician can pretty much work during any part of your BIG day (except of course the actual ceremony!) This makes a magician extremely versatile, slotting in with ease and not disrupting the flow of the event.

The following are popular times when a magician can wow your guests.

During the photos

Since the formal wedding photographs only involve selected groups at a time, most of your guests will be standing around waiting or engaging in small talk with family and old friends. This is a perfect time for a magician to provide them with an unforgettable experience while at the same time helping to break the ice between different groups of guests.

During the wedding breakfast

Hiring a magician to perform at each table between courses, commonly termed table-hopping, is another popular choice thus helping to raise the atmosphere in the room as you and your guests applaud, laugh and cheer. Your wedding day will feel that little bit more special.

During the evening reception

This can occur immediately following the wedding breakfast and before the evening guests have arrived, or when everything is in full flow and all are present. Either way, people do tend to be more relaxed after all the formalities are over, especially the best man (!!) and a magician can mingle with your guests and amaze and enthrall with close up magic. Some magicians would even offer a show or a short routine tailored for the wedding couple to make them feel special in front of all their guests; this can be an very memorable experience for everyone.

Now it would be wrong for me to JUST discuss all the positives involved in hiring a magician and not look at some negatives, albeit very few that I can think of.

Firstly, the cost. Hiring a decent professional magician is not cheap and would usually set you back in the region of five hundred pounds for a couple of hours. If you have the budget, then do it.

Secondly, it will take you time find the right magician. I cannot stress enough how important it is that you put the effort in, if not, another downside is that you will likely spend the duration of the time he is performing wondering if he is entertaining your guests to the standard you expect on your big day. Trust me, you do not need any more stress. Yes, it will take time which you may not have, but it is essential. See my article "5 things to be aware of when booking a magician for your wedding" to make this process a lot easier.

So, to wrap up, if you have the budget and time to find the right person for the job, you will not regret hiring a magician for your wedding. You will likely hear your guests talking about "that magician" or "that trick" for years to come which will surely bring a smile to your face.