Before you book ANY magician or entertainer please read this page carefully to help educate and ensure that you hire the right person for the job.

It’s not everyday you plan on getting married and it's not ever day you hire a magician, It is a top priority that the people you hire for your BIG special day need to be of the highest standard, expertise and professionalism. Of all the days in your life, this is one day you don't want to be let down.

You want your wedding to be remembered for all the right reasons. It is of the utmost importance that if you are considering booking any close-up magician or entertainer for that matter, then you should try to ensure you get a quality act that is 100% professional.

When browsing the net for a magician or wedding entertainer, here's some things to look out for:

* Pleanty of PHOTOS
The photos on the magician / entertainers web site need to be of the performer getting a positive response from the people being entertained.

Ensure there are a good variety of photos on the web site. They should be snaps taken at different functions and venues. It’s easy to see if the photos were taken at the same event by looking at the table decorations and background in the shot.

If the photos on a magician’s web site show mostly himself smiling at the camera while holding a fan of cards then be very wary. The photos need to be of the magician performing and getting an amazing reaction.

* VIDEO Clips
Ideally there should be some video clips of the magician in their web site. The clips should show positive responses from the guests being entertained. If the spectators are having a great time in the video clips then it’s a good indicator that your guests will be responding the same way at you wedding.

Are they REALLY full-time professional's?:
Unfortunately anyone can purchase a few tacky plastic tricks from a joke shop, then have a web site built and then call themselves a "magician". The term full-time professional gets banded about quite freely, just because someone say’s they are a full-time pro does not necessarily mean they actually are.

There’s nothing wrong with someone doing a bit of magic on the side, but if being a magician is not their primary focus and job then they have nothing to loose if they let you down after you commit to booking them. A professional will be totally dependable if it's what keeps a roof over his family’s head.

In the majority of situations if a magician or entertainer is not a full time professional, it may mean he:
1. Does not have a good enough act.
2. Is deficient in experience and expertise.
3. Is simply not professional and dependable enough to support a full time career as a magician.

In general those who make a living as an entertainer have to be good enough to continue getting positive referrals and repeat business. Before you hand over your hard earned ask if your entertainer / magician really is a full-time professional.

* Money Back Guarantee:
If an entertainer does not guarantee their work, the question should simply be WHY NOT? You need to be certain the entertainer can deliver 100% for your wedding.

* Experience:
Feel free to ask the magician how the magic can best work for your wedding. There are plenty of ways a magician like Dorian can entertain during a wedding function. An experienced magician will have performed thousands of times under many different circumstances and will be able to advise how best to perform their ability for your wedding event.

* Recommendation of quality:
Try to ensure the testimonials are genuine. A quality entertainer should be able to prove with a hard copy the appraisals and pieces of kudos he has gained.

* How much will it COST?:
One of the most frequently asked questions is HOW MUCH DOES HIRING A MAGICIAN COST? The truth is that every job has to be taken on its own merit and requirements. It’s important that the entertainer not only provides an amazing experience, but also that none of your guests are put off or offended in any way.

There are a number of factors that have to be taken into consideration before a fair and accurate quote can be given. Things such as the date, performance times, location etc. Asking the question "how much does a magician cost to hire" is a bit like asking ‘how much does a pair of trousers cost’. As with all products at the end of the day you get what you pay for.

* Your BUDGET:
If your budget is very tight then hiring a magician may not be the best option. If another magician has quoted you an enticingly low price then you can almost be sure that they are either an amateur or a kid's entertainer who is not an expert in the field of entertaining a grown up audience. The fee they have quoted is a reflection of the lack of quality in their work and the lack of experience and confidence at entertaining at a high level.

* The Good, the Bad and the Ugly: What is the difference between a good magician and a bad one?
A GOOD close up magician will give you an extremely thrilling and entertaining experience. It will be something you will remember for a long, long time after the event.

A BAD magician could well make you hate magic altogether and not want to ever see another magic effect again. Due to their lack of experience, expertise and bad social skills they could well treat your guests like idiots, with insulting and inappropriate material.

The UGLY truth is that there are some unscrupulous magicians who claiming to be full time pro’s and are delivering a sub-standard service. These individuals are damaging the industry and giving a bad name to magic on the whole.

* Try before you buy:
It is possible to meet the magician and see him perform before committing to hire. Any magician that is confident in his work would be more than pleased to meet up with you to give you a demonstration of his performance. This can be arranged at little or no expense at all if the magician is working near your area.

* Insurance Assurance:
Make sure that the entertainer has Public Liability Insurance. It's very doubtful that anything will go wrong during an act, but it's good to know that all the bases are covered

* Well travelled:
A professional magician with a polished, top-class act will travel all over the country and indeed all over the world.

There is no recognised body that guarantee the quality of magicians in the UK. There are many magic clubs and circles that have magicians as members, but there is no official club or society that regulates or can certify the quality of magicians.

A good example is the fact that anyone can buy membership to a motor club, but it does not necessarily make them a better driver.