Guest forget to check their phones

This one thing made our guests not look at their phones

The Problem Every Couple Knows Too Well

How interactive magic transformed our drinks reception from awkward small talk into the most talked-about part of our wedding


You've spent months planning the perfect wedding. You've chosen the venue, perfected the menu, coordinated the florals. But there's one thing you can't control: your guests standing in clusters, nursing drinks, scrolling through Instagram while waiting for the reception to start.

Sarah and Mike discovered something that changed everything at their September wedding. "I looked out during our wedding reception and instead of seeing people on their phones, I saw circles of guests, people who'd never met, laughing together and genuinely connecting," Sarah told me three months after her wedding. "Our parents' friends were mingling with our work friends. It was exactly what we wanted but didn't know how to create."


What made the difference? A close-up magician works for weddings


Why Phones come out at Weddings (And Why It Matters)


Let's be honest: weddings can be awkward. Your family and friends don't know each other fully. Your parents' friends don't know your partner's family. When people feel uncomfortable, they default to their phones as a social safety net.


But here's what happens when guests are on their phones:

They miss genuine connections with other guests

They're less present for your grand entrance

Your expensive photographer captures hunched shoulders and glowing screens

The energy in the room stays flat instead of building excitement


You didn't invite 100+ people just to have them scroll through TikTok during your wedding.


The Magic Formula: How It Actually Works


Here's what happened at Sarah and Mike's wedding, and what I've done at hundreds other of weddings and events:


The Setup

During the reception (that 60-90 minute gap while you're taking photos), I (your magician) move from group to group. Not on a stage. Not as a show. Person-to-person, table-to-table, creating moments.


The Pattern

I (your magician) approach a small group, maybe your Uncle Jim, your best friends from work, and two of your partner's gym buddies who've never met. Within 30 seconds:

  • Everyone's attention snaps to what's happening
  • Phones go into pockets and purses
  • The impossible happens right in their hands
  • Strangers become a unified group with a shared experience
  • I move on, but the group stays together now talking, laughing, comparing what they just saw


The Ripple Effect

"After Eddie left our group, one of Mike's groomsmen. "We were so energized that we kept talking. I ended up having an amazing conversation with Sarah's dad about craft beer. We're still in touch comparing Ale"


Why This Works Better Than Other Entertainment


Photo Booths

Fun, but isolating. Guests leave their tables, stand in line, take photos, then return to their original groups. No new connections made.


Background Musicians


Beautiful ambiance, but passive. Guests still need to initiate conversations themselves. The music doesn't break social barriers.


Lawn Games


Weather-dependent and only appeals to certain personality types. Your grandmother probably isn't playing cornhole.


Magic for wedding

  • Inclusive : Works for ages 8 to 80, introverts and extroverts
  • Active : Guests are participants, not spectators
  • Social : Naturally creates mixed groups and gives people something to talk about
  • Memorable : Creates stories people retell ("Did you see when...")
  • Flexible : Works indoors, outdoors, any weather
  • Zero setup : No equipment to rent, no logistics headaches


What Couples Say: Real Wedding Results



Eddie, you are just amazing

I had Eddie at my wedding and he was just brilliant, he made sure the whole day ran smoothly and took a huge pressure off myself and my husband. Everyone was amazed by eddies magic and is still talking about it now! I had a large ammount of children at my wedding and eddie kept them so entertained, none of them got bored and Eddie kept them all busy and enjoying thereselves throughout the evening reception! Eddie is just such a genuine guy who has a huge passion for what he does. Thanks so much again, highly reccomend xxx

Emily - Bride

Eddie did the entertainment for our wedding reception and was great with kids and adults alike. We had to cancel having Eddie at our son’s birthday party due to lockdown and it it was a real treat for him to have Eddie do a show just for him at our wedding party. Would highly recommend him.
Alex B - Groom

We hired Eddie after seeing him at our friend's wedding and children's parties ....he came and did our wedding at Masa on sunday 28th July....

He did an amazing job in entertaining the children during speeches and then did up and close magic tricks with the adults....everybody thoroughly enjoyed it and said how amazing Eddie was.

Can't thankyou enough Eddie for all you did on our special day.
Lucy - Bride


We booked Eddie for our wedding after seeing him at the venue’s wedding fayre. He was so friendly & approachable. We needed someone to entertain the children & adults at our wedfing whilst the the main room was being turned around for the evening. Eddie kindly allowed our daughter to be his assistant, she & all the kids were happy & engaged in evrything he did. The adults all watched to & afterwards Eddie made baloons for the kids whilst doing tricks for people. Just about every guest said they loved him & what s great addition he was! Best thing I booked for the wedding by far, my daughter especially will remember how engaged he made her feel, thanks again Eddie you’re a true master of your craft!
Sonia - Bride

Eddie is also

The Wedding Industry Award (TWIA)
2025 West Midlands Regional Winner
2025 National Finalisit

2026 West Midlands Regionala Finalist

Check out other review on Trust pilot, Google, Bing, Facebook and Linkedin

What to Expect : The Numbers


Timing 


Photos -  60-90 Minutes

Drinks Reception - 60-90 Minutes
Wedding Breakfast - 60 - 120 Minutes
Speeches - 30 - 45 Minutes
Room Turnaround - 60 - 90 Minutes

Groups a magician can engage - 12-18 groups (depending on your guest count)


Percentage of guests who'll see magic - 75-100% (magicians strategically move to cover the room)


Average cost: depending on location and experience (typically less than upgrading your bar package or adding a photo booth) £695 - £1495


Value for money and return on investment Priceless. (Seriously, guests remember great entertainment more than centerpieces.)


What Makes Wedding Magic Different from Stage Magic


You're not hiring someone to do a 30-minute show that half your guests will ignore.

You're hiring someone to:


  • Read the room - Skip the shy aunt, spend extra time with the enthusiastic cousin
  • Facilitate introductions - "Have you two met? You find out they know James from down the road who makes ale!"
  • Match your vibe - Elegant and sophisticated for black-tie, playful and warm for rustic barn weddings
  • Work invisibly with your timeline - Coordinate with your photographer, planner, and DJ
  • Create individual moments - Every guest feels like they got a personal experience


Common Questions Couples Ask


Will it look cheesy in our photos?



Close-up magic looks like engaged, laughing guests in your photos. Your photographer will thank you for capturing genuine emotion instead of forced smiles.


What if our venue is outdoors?



Most close-up magic works perfectly outdoors, no electricity needed, no sound issues, no weather concerns.


We have 50 guests. Is that too small?



Perfect size, actually. The magician can spend more time with each group, making it even more personal.


"We have 200 guests. Is that too big?"

Magicians can strategically cover large crowds, especially if your cocktail hour is 90 minutes. Some couples book two magicians for very large weddings.


"When's the best time?"

Drinks receptop is ideal (while you're doing photos), but magicians can also perform during dinner service or between courses to keep energy high.


How to Know If You Need Magic


You probably want a magician if:

  • Your guest list includes people who've never met
  • You're worried about awkward cocktail hour energy
  • You want guests to put down their phones and be present
  • You care more about guest experience than elaborate decor
  • You want people talking about your wedding for months
  • You have a gap in your timeline that needs filling
  • You want authentic emotion captured in your photos


You probably don't need one if:

  • All your guests already know each other well
  • You're having a tiny, intimate dinner (under 20 people)
  • You prefer minimal entertainment and a quiet atmosphere


Red Flag and Green Flags When Booking A Magician


Red flags:

  • Only offers stage shows (you need someone comfortable working close-up)
  • Can't provide video of actual wedding performances
  • Doesn't ask about your timeline, venue, or guest demographics
  • Prices seem too cheap (experienced wedding magicians are professionals)


Green flags:

  • Has wedding-specific experience and references
  • Asks about your vision and style
  • Discusses logistics (where to park, when to arrive, how to coordinate with vendors)
  • Offers a consultation to ensure it's the right fit
  • Has liability insurance
  • Provides a clear contract


The Bottom Line


Sarah summed it up perfectly: "We stressed about chair rentals and napkin colors for months. But what our guests remember?
The magic. People who came alone left with new friends. Our families connected. Everyone stayed present. It was worth every penny."


Your wedding is one day, but the memories last forever. The question isn't whether you can afford wedding entertainment, it's whether you can afford for your guests to miss the magic of the moment because they're staring at their phones.


Ready to Create Unforgettable Wedding Moments?


If you're planning a wedding and want guests who are fully present, engaged, and talking about your celebration for years to come, let's chat about how magic can transform your cocktail hour.


Book a free 15-minute consultation to discuss your wedding vision, timeline, and how interactive entertainment can fit seamlessly into your day.


Questions Email to Eddie@eddieyoungmagic or call 07970745926. Let's make your wedding the one everyone remembers.



Eddi is a professional wedding magician and event host based in Staffordshire, Derbyshire, Staffordshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicetershire specializing in creating unforgettable guest experiences at celebrations. With over12 years of experience and performed many weddings,  Eddie help couples transform awkward drinks reception into the highlight of their wedding day.


The LUXlife Magazine logo in white text centered over a blurred, dark purple cityscape.
By Eddie Young April 15, 2026
Eddie Young Magic, the award-winning close-up magician and Magical Emcee based in Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire, has been named a LUXlife Global Excellence Award winner for Best Wedding Entertainment. The recognition places Eddie Young among an elite group of wedding industry professionals celebrated by LUXlife Magazine a premium lifestyle publication reaching a global audience of high-net-worth readers across luxury, travel, fashion, and events. This is Eddie's third LUXlife Global Excellence Award win, adding to victories in 2021 and 2023, and follows his recent triumph as Regional Winner at The Wedding Industry Awards (TWIA) 2025 the UK's leading client-voted and expert-judged wedding industry awards programme. What Is the LUXlife Global Excellence Award? The LUXlife Global Excellence Awards recognise businesses and individuals that set new standards of quality, innovation, and customer experience within the luxury lifestyle sector. Winners are selected through a combination of public vote and editorial review, with LUXlife Magazine's global circulation of luxury lifestyle enthusiasts and business professionals informing each decision. Being named Best Wedding Entertainment in this programme signals one clear thing: Eddie Young Magic is not just a regional success story. It is a nationally and internationally recognised name in premium wedding and event entertainment. Who Is Eddie Young? Eddie Young is a close-up magician, Magical Emcee, and event host with over a decade of experience performing at weddings, corporate events, private parties, and festivals across the UK. Based near Burton upon Trent in Staffordshire, he performs nationwide from Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire to Birmingham and beyond. His accolades speak for themselves: LUXlife Global Excellence Award - Best Wedding Entertainment (2021, 2023, 2025) TWIA Regional Winner - Best Wedding Magician, West Midlands (2025) Joe Bonsall Trophy for close-up magic (Derby Magic Circle) Best Upcoming Magician - Derby Magic Circle Bridebook Best Entertainer - Regional Finals Eddie's approach is built around a simple but powerful idea: your event should be unforgettable, and your guests, not your stress levels should be the focus. His combination of expert close-up magic, professional emceeing, and seamless event hosting removes the pressure from couples and event organisers so they can actually enjoy the occasion they have spent months planning. As Eddie puts it: "Winning this award is more than a professional milestone it's a testament to resilience and the power of community." Why Couples and Event Planners Choose Eddie Young Magic Close-up magic is the ice-breaker that corporate entertainment rarely delivers and wedding entertainment too often promises but fails to provide. Eddie's performances are not a stage act they happen in your guests' hands, inches from their faces, in real time. The results are consistent. Here is what real clients say: "The best thing we booked for the wedding by far. The highlight was when Eddie invited our daughter to be his special assistant, her face completely lit up. Guests are still talking about it." - Sonia "Booking Eddie as our Magical Emcee was the best decision we made. He kept the whole day running smoothly and even saved the day when we had no knife for the cake cutting producing one like magic. He wasn't just an entertainer; he was our secret weapon." - Sarah "To say it was OMG utterly jaw-dropping amazing is an understatement. It was truly incredible. In fact, the show was magical in every sense of the word." - Dee Beckett "Everyone remembers the flowers, the décor, the food - but months on, everyone still talks about Eddie." - via Bridebook These are not isolated moments. They are the consistent outcome of a performer who has refined his craft across hundreds of events, from intimate gatherings to major corporate functions for clients including Harvey Nichols, Odeon Cinemas, Tesco, Disney, and Morrisons. What Makes Eddie Young Magic Different? Most magicians perform. Eddie hosts, manages, entertains, and protects your event timeline all at once. His role as a Magical Emcee means he can: Keep your timeline flowing - no awkward silences, no guests wondering what happens next Bridge every transition - from drinks reception to wedding breakfast, from room turnaround to first dance Engage every guest - children, grandparents, corporate delegates, wedding party members Let you relax - knowing your guests are in expert hands This is why couples frequently report that Eddie was the best booking they made for their wedding day not just a good one. The Story Behind the Award This LUXlife recognition carries particular weight because of the personal journey behind it. Following the disruption of COVID-19, Eddie rebuilt his business from the ground up while navigating his own mental health challenges. The decision to push forward, to rebuild with renewed purpose, and to continue creating unforgettable memories for others is the foundation on which these award wins now rest. The TWIA Regional Win in 2025 voted for by real clients, confirmed what the LUXlife judges also recognised: Eddie Young Magic is delivering an exceptional, consistent standard of wedding and event entertainment that genuinely changes the experience for couples and their guests. Book Eddie Young Magic Eddie Young Magic is available for weddings, corporate events, private parties, awards evenings, trade shows, and more. He performs across the UK from his base in Staffordshire. Website: www.eddieyoungmagic.co.uk Email: Eddie@Eddieyoungmagic.co.uk Phone: 07970 745 926 Address: Marlow Drive, Staffordshire, DE14 3TX Peak dates book fast. For weddings in particular, enquire early.
By Eddie Young April 14, 2026
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