We book professional magicians for weddings across the UK. Tell us your date, your venue and roughly how many guests you're expecting, and we'll come back with magicians who are free and a clear quote.
When a wedding magician works best
Most couples book their magician for the drinks reception. It usually runs for an hour and a half to two hours while you're busy with the photographer, and guests are standing in small groups with a glass in hand, which is exactly how close-up magic is meant to be seen.
The wedding breakfast is the other popular slot. A magician can visit tables between courses, keeping the energy up while the kitchen prepares the next plate. Some couples also keep the magician on into the early evening to welcome evening guests before the first dance.
How long to book a magician for
Two hours is the most common booking for a wedding. For bigger weddings, or if you'd like magic at both the reception and the meal, two and a half to three hours lets the magician reach everyone without rushing.
Wedding timings often slip, and an experienced performer expects it. Give your magician a contact on the day, such as your venue coordinator or an usher, so they can be told if the meal is called early or the photos run late.
What your guests will see
Close-up magic happens in guests' hands, a few inches from their faces: a borrowed ring vanishing and reappearing, a signed card ending up somewhere impossible, a coin melting through a glass. There's no stage, no microphone and nothing to set up, so the magician simply blends into your day.
Good wedding magicians read the room. They'll linger with a group who are loving it, move on politely from guests deep in conversation, and make as much of a fuss of grandparents as of the youngest guests. Bride Imogen Garrard said Lee, one of our close-up magicians, “absolutely wowed our wedding guests”.
Choosing the right wedding magician
Watch video of the magician performing for real guests, not just a showreel of tricks. You want someone whose personality suits your crowd, whether that's relaxed and funny or polished and elegant.
Ask how they dress (most will match the formality of your day), whether they've performed at weddings before, and whether they hold public liability insurance, which many venues ask to see. Our magicians include Members of The Magic Circle, the UK's best-known society of magicians.
Tips for a smooth wedding booking
Saturdays in spring and summer are the first to go, so it's worth enquiring as soon as your venue is confirmed. Share a rough running order once you have it.
If there's something personal you'd like included, such as a moment with the wedding rings or a reveal of your new married name, mention it early. Many magicians are happy to add a small personal touch if they know in advance.
