Durham Castle Wedding Fayre, Sunday 8th January 2012

I’m delighted to announce that I will be exhibting at magnificent Durham Castle’s Wedding Fayre this Sunday the 8th January.

The fair is open between 1 and 4pm and will feature only suppliers recommended and approved by Durham Castle and Event Durham.

I’ve lost count of the fantastic weddings and parties I have been lucky to perform at in this wonderful World Heritage Site and at the other Event Durham sites, especially beautiful Hatfield College, St Chad’s College, St Aiden’s, Greys, Collingwood etc.

Just to quote from Event Durham’s description of the day:

Wedding Fayre

Durham Castle

Sunday 8th January 2012 from 1pm – 4pm

To help ensure your wedding day dreams come true we’ve brought together a unique mix of leading wedding experts to help you make those important decisions. You’ll find everything you need for your special day including beautiful dresses, cakes, stationary, flowers, photography and lots of things you haven’t even thought of yet!

Come along and meet the team and view the fabulous venue for yourself.

Whether you are having your wedding at Durham Castle or anywhere in the North East please drop by and say hello. Also anyone who has already booked me and wants to catch up – you are more than welcome, and I’ll bring chocolates!!

See you there!

Belle Bridal – The North East Bridal Magazine features Colin Cook Moodlighting

I was delighted to see a feature in the current (Autumn/Winter 2011) edition of Belle Bridal Magazine showing a ‘Real Wedding’ where the Bride commented on my uplighting services.

Bride Kathryn Spinks (now Mrs Dan Gibson) contacted me regarding her wedding reception at magnificent Durham Castle in September 2010 (Yep, I know it takes a long time for things to get into magazines sometimes but this was an amazing venue)

Although Kathryn fell in love with the incredible Castle she was a little unsure about what she saw as a stark and imposing dark venue. Kathryn wanted to retain all the magnificence of this 11th Century World Heritage Site but lift the mood a little and also blend it into her sophisticated and elegant theme. My details were given to Kathryn by Event Durham who are responsible for promoting and running events at all of the Durham University Buildings and for whom I am a recommended supplier. When first approached I was a little reluctant as I had weddings on the Thursday, Friday and Saturday of that week and was looking forward to the Sunday off. But Kathryn is such a lovely person (and very persuasive) and my love of Durham Castle got the better of me. To my knowledge nobody had uplit the Great Hall in it’s entirety before (or since) so I relished the challenge. I met with Kathryn and we planned not just a bit of lighting around the walls but a complete enhancement of the incredible natural features in this wonderful building.

With Niche Windows starting some 20ft up the walls (and higher) and some huge arched windows, the Raised Dais area where the Top Table is usually situated, the Minstrels Gallery, Fireplace and other features this was no straightforward job! I took loads of photos, did some sketches and planned the layout. Then I went out and bought some extra long ladders!

I arrived very early on the morning of the Wedding (early enough to sample the lovely cooked breakfasts!) and made a start. First the shell – laying cabling around the outside walls, hiding it as I went along and then running power lines up to the big windows, lighting the stonework all around. The install took 4.5 hours and a LOT of lighting units including LED Stage Floods set to match the colours but enhance the Minstrels Gallery. Despite the fantastic effect there was very little power drawn from these LED units and no heat given off either. Kind to the environment, kind to the pocket and if someone happens to touch one (please don’t!) they are cool to the touch so no 2nd Degree burns!

I wasn’t DJing for Kathryn and Dan that night (just as well after that mammoth task!) so didn’t get the chance to take as many photos as I’d have liked once it got dark. I notice that despite the mention in the magazine they didnt have space to show photos of the finished product so I thought I’d put some here – see below.

I wont tell you what Kathryn said to me when I turned up at the end of the night, though she did give me a massive hug and kiss. Here is what she said to Belle Bridal:

With a little help from friends, family and some last minute up-lighting, Kathryn managed to create a stylish and atmospheric reception setting and bring a new lease of life to the historic venue. Kathryn says ‘The room up lighing (courtesy of Colin Cook) was definitely an amazing extra touch, only hired about three weeks before the wedding itself, it made an amazing difference to the venue and is by far the best money I have ever spent.’ (Belle Bridal Autumn/Winter 2011 Page 97)

LED Uplighting, or Moodlighting as I named it several years ago is an extremely effective way to transform any venue and to create mood, atmosphere and bring the room into your colour theme. Cost wise it is very economical especially when compared in price to other venue enhancements such as chair covers, table centrepieces etc. On the downside, every DJ and his mother now claims to offer this service although generally they use photos of other peoples work and hope to get the business first and then hire/buy the equipment. usually they underprice and end up letting the client down because they simply dont have the equipment or expertise (or simple creative flair) to do the job properly. Colin Cook is one of, if not the leading supplier of moodlighting in the North East. He has an ample supply of equipment and the knowledge, flair and empathy with his surroundings to create a magical atmosphere. As well as uplighting his services include Wedding DJ, Interactive Slideshows, Master of Ceremonies ( Toast Master), Managed Ceremony Music, external lighting, Starlit dancefloors and backdrops, music for Wedding Breakfast. His services including uplighting can regularly be seen in venues such as Durham Castle, Alnwick Garden, Alnwick Castle, Bamburgh Castle, Slaley Hall, Whitworth Hall, Wynyard Hall, Beamish Hall, Eshott Hall, Doxford Hall, Guyzance Hall, Crathorne Hall, Judges Hotel, Grinkle Park and many other prestigious venues across the North East.

Photos of Durham Castle Great Hall lit for Kathryn and Dan’s splendid wedding on 19th September 2010 (please note the disco light thing is not mine!)

Bamburgh Wedding Fair 3-4 September 2011

The Annual Bamburgh Castle Wedding Fair is this Saturday and Sunday 10am-4pm.

I will be exhibiting there as usual but will only be there until 2pm on Saturday as I have a wedding on Saturday night and therefore need to leave early. I’ll be there all day on Sunday of course.

I’d be delighted to meet with both prospective and existing clients and am happy to answer any questions you may have.

I look forward to seeing you there!

UPDATE!!!

Well another great Wedding Fair at Bamburgh Castle this year.

In addition to meeting couples (and their parents and families) who have booked the Castle or are considering it for their wedding we also had visitors who are getting married elsewhere and looking for suppliers or inspiration!

It is always great to meet my fellow professionals at these occasions and the informal, friendly nature of the setup at Bamburgh made this a great opportunity.

Some photos of the 2 day event to follow but it was especially nice to see some of my old friends and colleagues including

First off I should mention Bamburgh Castle itself – a magnificent Sea Defence Fortress with incredible views. Weddings take place in the King’s Hall (a real ‘Royal Wedding’ experience) followed by the hire of a wonderful marquee under the castle walls for your totally personlaised reception. Chris Calvert is the Castle Manager. Apart from being completely insane, Chris never stops! He works so hard running the castle, meeting Wedding Clients and there is no task outside his expertise!

There were 2 brilliant photographers here over the weekend. Key Photography – Kenn Elliott  is one of the North East’s top photographers and his friendly, relaxing style and ability to see a photo in anything assures his success. He is also a really nice bloke! Also ACM Photography – Andrew McGregor is another damned nice chap who is also a fantastic photographer. Kenn and Andrew are both so easy to get on with that their personality alone ensures great photos, but their immense talent just makes it even easier! Andrew and Kenn both also do commercial and portraiture in addition to weddings. Good friends, great chaps, fantastic photographers

It was also great to see my good friends Chris and Janet from One Digital Image. I very rarely recommend videographers but have absolutely no hesitation in saying that One Digital Image are at the very top of their profession. As well as getting 2 brilliant videographers for your money they are both so easy to get on with and their knack of getting incredible yet unstaged footage means that their clients never have to ‘act’. Technically too, One Digital Image’s work is of the highest standard with High Definition video which really stands out!

As florists, Lavenders Blue are pretty special. Although they can provide most styles of floristry they specialise in that ultra elegant and sophisticated vintage and classic look but with a modern twist and a LOT of skill! Plus, really nice people who listen to clients and really go that extra mile to bring a Bride’s vision to reality.

Jim and Linda from Alnwick Wedding Cars were also there for the weekend. Jim had to pop off to another wedding fair locally which gave Linda and I the chance to talk about Jim’s Xmas present (from Linda, not from me!). There are plenty of wedding car suppliers out there but with Alnwick Wedding Cars you get great cars, totally professional service which is 100% reliable and friendly, helpful and genuine people to not just drive you but to help with settling your nerves on your way to your wedding, as well as to relax you on your return trip!

Ann and Graeme from Wedding Stationers RadleyBabe were at the fair again this year. These guys produce bespoke wedding stationery to a really high standard as well as being reliable, professional and totally committed to what they do!

Scrummies were this year provided by the Ivory Cake Company. I’d not met these ladies before but one taste of their incredible Lemon Drizzle Cake had me completely convinced that the insides of their cakes match the beautiful and tasteful exteriors!

Travel Counsellors!!! I’d never heard of this before but this wonderful lady can help you plan the honeymoon of your dreams and is genuinely interested in getting you the best deal and the most incredible holiday!

E-Mail Problems!

Well yet again I seem to have been struck by the e-mail problem fairy!!

I am currently unable to send e-mails to any hotmail.com address and have also been advised by clients that those sending me e-mails are getting failure notices.

Please accept my apologies for this. I aim to reply to all e-mails as soon as I possibly can and always within 48 hours (except at weekends) so if you have not heard back within that time scale please get in touch again as I may not have received your e-mail.

My web hosts are currently working on the problem and I am hoping it will be resolved shortly.

In the meantime I have enabled a gmail account so if you find your messages arent getting through please try djcolincook “AT” gmail.com. Obviously change the “AT” for an @

Alternatively you can contact me on my office phone which is 01740 656995 or my mobile which is 07745 526538

I’ll update this as soon as I know what is happening.

Thanks to everyone for your patience.

EDIT 30/07/2011:  It appears everything is working ok now but please let me know if you dont receive a reply to any e-mails or if there are any problems. Fingers crossed!

Alnwick Wedding Fair – Sunday 3rd April 2011

I’m delighted to invite all past, present and prospective clients to come visit me on Sunday 3rd April at the Alnwick Wedding Fair.

Magnificent Alnwick Castle and beautiful Alnwick Garden are holding a joint fair for the 2nd year in a row. It will be open to the public from 11am till 3pm. The Guest Hall in the Castle will be set up for a Wedding and over in the Alnwick Gardens the Pavilion and the Activity Centre will be home to a wide range of Suppliers who are recommended by and experienced at working in these 2 unique venues.

April 3rd is also Mothers Day so why not combine a day out in the Garden with a visit to the Wedding Fair, or even Mothers Day Lunch in the Treehouse!

I look forward to see you all there, and please drop by to say hello and have a chocolate or two!!

http://www.alnwickgarden.com/calendar/event/03/04/2011

Colin

Bad Weather/Winter Strategy

Due to the very extreme weather of the last week and possible forecasts over the winter ahead it is only good sense to make arrangements and preparations to cope.

Weddings are not an occasion which can generally be postponed – the cost and amount of preparation make this virtually impossible so any professional supplier is going to have to make contingencies, and there are also things clients and venues can do to help. None of this is ideal, but I am sure you will appreciate that reliability and safety must be the most important factors, and I thank you for your understanding and co-operation.

As a DJ is responsible for the longest part of the day with the largest number of guests it is even more vital to ensure preparations are made to avoid disappointing or letting clients down on their Wedding Day.

Although main roads are usually kept reasonably passable, back roads and estates are often dangerous or impassable. I live in a cul-de-sac at the bottom of a hill and nothing has moved in my road for a week!

So – Due to these conditions I have come up with the following procedures and suggestions.

Vans are notoriously dangerous in icy conditions, so it may be necessary to use a car instead. This means it may be necessary to use a smaller or compact rig or equipment than would generally be used. It is better to get there safely and be able to perform, than not to arrive! I have an estate car so can cope with most contingencies!

If you have booked additional services such as mood lighting, ceremony coverage etc I will do everything in my power to provide these, and will be in contact if there is a problem. Please feel free to contact me if you are worried or unsure of anything though.

I aim to set off far earlier than usual to allow for additional traffic, slow conditions etc. It would be fantastic if you could inform the venue of this and ask them to provide somewhere for me to wait if I am extremely early – sitting in the car/van in these conditions is not an option. On the same note, if the venue can allow for me to unload early that would help too – moving equipment from the cold into the warm can create problems with condensation so unloading earlier will allow equipment to come up to room temperature.

If I use the car then unloading/loading and setting up will take slightly longer as everything has to be completely dismantled to fit, so please allow for this.

In extreme circumstances, if I am unable to attend, I maintain a network of colleagues who work to a similar standard and wherever possible will arrange cover. It is not my intention to ever need to do this and I will make every effort to be in attendance at your Wedding – however it is wise to plan for every eventuality!

You can help great by checking the following with the venue:

Access/Parking – Venues need to ensure that unloading areas are free from ice and are safe to carry equipment over. Difficult access may create delays or even make safe unloading impossible. My safety is important to me, and also the safety of myself and my equipment is also important to ensure other clients are catered for too. If safe access is not available then it may not be possible to unload. I cannot take responsibility for that, so it is worth mentioning this to your venue. Likewise – a safe and accessible parking place must be provided. There is no point having a car park accessible via an ice-covered path or one in which the vehicle cannot get in/out of safely. Of course – all venues should be making sure that there is safe access for suppliers as well as guests anyway, so hopefully this is not a problem.

Timings - if you think the weather will affect your timings for the day please let me know as soon as possible. Especially for the end of night, if you need to finish early (or late) to allow for transport then it is important to factor this in as early as possible to ensure that you still get the most fantastic end of night celebrations.

Communication - Communication is vital to ensure the smooth running of your Wedding Day, so anything you want to know – get in touch. Likewise if anything changes at your end, let me know.

I will update this post with the latest information so please keep checking back.

16th December – Well the snow is back with some severe ice and snow warnings given by the Met Office. Looking out of the window, we have about 2inches here but it is quite wet. I think ice is more likely to be a problem than snow over this weekend. It is not forecast to rise above -2 until in to next week!

14th December – Heavy snow and ice is forecast across the region again for the latter part of this week and for the weekend. Northumberland is expected to suffer severely. With this in mind, I have fitted winter tyres to the car. Unfortunately there are none in the UK to fit the van, and I have been trying for a month now to get some. I have therefore made the decision that if the snow hits, I will be using the car for all events. This may mean a more compact rig than usual, and as everything will need to be fully dismantled then longer setup times may be necessary. However, far better to arrive with a smaller rig than not arrive at all. Please feel free to get in touch if you have any concerns about your event, or if you have any information which may be of use. Communication is important.

8th December – still solid ice here in Durham, no snow the last 24 hours though. Forecast is for continued icy weather. Forecast for Northumberland is still severe, police recommend essential journeys only

Introducing the Bose L1 Compact!

I rarely talk about specific equipment – after all it is really just a tool of the trade, but felt I had to comment on my latest purchase.

The Bose L1 Compact is an ultra-compact single speaker system which is ideal for ceremonies, speeches, background music and even small discos where a very discreet look is required. It doesn’t need a tripod type speaker stand so has a much smaller footprint compared to a conventional system, and as both channels of audio go into the same unit then it can be used on it’s own (no need for 2!).

Bose sound quality is legendary and I am looking forward to using the L1 Compact in the coming months, and seeing exactly what it can do.

Of course I will continue to have and use my excellent range of conventional speakers. Really it is about ensuring that the most appropriate equipment is used in each situation. The equipment has to be of high quality, suitable for the size of venue and number of guests, and of course look right. After all this is your wedding!

I have several events coming up in October and November where I think the Compact will be perfect. I’ve commenced trials and hope to be using it shortly. Of course I’ll make sure I update you all on how it is going!

E-mail Problems

Over the last few weeks it appears I have been suffering some intermittent e-mail problems and not receiving mail from some clients.

Please accept my apologies for this – I have spoken to the ‘tech-bods’ and am assured this is now resolved.

If anyone has sent me mail and not received a reply please can you re-send it? Generally I reply to e-mails at the very earliest opportunity and it is rare for anyone to have to wait more then a few hours (except over the weekends of course).

Again – apologies for this and touch wood normal service has now been resumed!

Bamburgh Castle Wedding Fair 25/26 September 2010

Update 05/10/2010: Well thank you to everyone who came to see me at the Wedding Fair. It was a cold, windy weekend but fortunately stayed dry. It was also great to meet up with other suppliers outside of the wedding environment and have time to chat and catch up. Many of us work closely together to ensure your wedding day runs smoothly and seamlessly

Now an annual event the Bamburgh Castle Wedding Fair is a fantastic opportunity not only to see this magnificent Wedding Venue but also to get to meet many of the recommended suppliers who work closely with the Castle to ensure Weddings here run smoothly and are just perfect!

The main Fair will be held in the wonderful Marquee under the castle wall, with it’s incredible views out to sea.

I’m delighted to announce I will be there on both days (though wont be getting any sleep on the Friday night so please forgive me if I look shattered!) and look forward to welcoming existing clients, potential new clients and anyone who wants any help in finding a Wedding DJ, Master of Ceremonies or for anything to do with their Wedding Disco, Mood Lighting, Starcloths, Photo Slideshow or any other help or advice I can give! In fact, why not drop in for a chat – I’ll even have some free choccies on hand!

Of course, most of the suppliers don’t only work at Bamburgh and many of us cover the entire North East including Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, County Durham, Teesside and North Yorkshire.

Entry to the Fair is free and you also have the opportunity to see the wonderful Kings Hall which is where Wedding Ceremonies take place.

For more information either contact the castle direct on 01668 214515, e-mail administrator@bamburghcastle.com or else contact me!!

The Wedding Fair is open from 10am till 4pm both days. The address is:

Bamburgh Castle,
Bamburgh,
Northumberland,
NE69 7DF

Website Progress

Well… FINALLY my new website has gone live, and I do hope you all like it.

Unfortunately we have had quite a few problems getting it up and running, and during the changeover a lot of photos and links were lost. I’m doing my best to restore them as I go along but with the Wedding Season still in full swing it is difficult to get the time.

If you find anything not working or missing from the site please feel free to let me know and I’ll concentrate on those.

Hopefully over the next 2 weeks everything will be working fully – and I have a LOT of new photos, news and some great blogs to post!
Thank you for your patience

Colin