What is your most memorable wedding?
My own, which was the basis for starting this music consultancy. I wish I'd had someone to help as there was so little time left with planning everything else and I remember on the day being a bit disappointed with the venue's stock offering.
Describe your style in 5 adjectives.
Bespoke playlists music consultancy
What about your business are you most proud of?
The entire premise of HumanPlaylistr is to offer consultancy based around your preferences that will fit your wedding and venue. I’m keen to make this about you and help with long playlists. Music is an integral part of your day. It needs to ebb and flow with the occasion, surfacing prominently when needed (for example the ceremony), provide a pulse for the background (during the wedding breakfast) and entertain (in the run up to the evening entertainment). It’s quite a big requirement that I can help with.
What is your No. 1 wedding planning tip for couples?
Keep everything written down and updated, preferably electronically, and share it between you on a service like Google Docs. Having information immediately accessible helps make quick decisions easier.
What is your favourite personal touch you have seen at a wedding?
Making space on the RSVP for guests to suggest tracks to play.
Describe your typical process with a couple.
Remote work makes up the bulk of meetings and progress between meetings, and is undertaken via Zoom meetings (MS Teams and Google Meet by specific request), Spotify playlists and Trello kanban planning boards.
There is detailed information on my website.
STEPS
1. IDENTIFY AND SEED
Time: Approximately 1 hour. Location: Online.
This consultation is to understand your event/venue, your requirements and select up to 20 tunes that will assist seeding your playlists.
2. BUILD AND TEST
Time: 1 to 2 hours. Location: Online currently, on-site when permitted.
This meeting is to assess your venue’s licensing, audio technology and quality (which may impact choices), determine method of delivery, audition seed tracks and choose up to 20 further seed tunes, agree final length of playlist.
3. AUDITION AND ITERATE
Time: 1 to 2 hours. Location: Online currently, on-site when permitted.
This meeting is to confirm progress and review changes between meetings, which may be done by either me or you. (Currently delivered remotely – can be on-site when restrictions are lifted.)
4. TARGET COMPLETION
Time: 1 to 2 hours. Location: Online.
This meeting is to confirm that playlists are of the correct length defined in Step 1 and contain tracks that are mutually agreed and acceptable. Any playback technology can be checked and further on-site presence agreed.
5. HANDOVER
Time: 1 hour. Location: Online currently, on-site when permitted.
A final check of all playlists, ensuring they are to specification and mutual agreement. In addition, playback and licensing is discussed and if required I can be contracted for an on-site presence at your venue.
What makes a romantic first dance?
It doesn't actually matter what the music is, as long as it means something to both of you. Maybe it was a tune that was on the radio when you met, or represents your journey together. If it's special to you both, then that feeling will radiate through your first dance.
What is your number one floor-filler?
There are too many to choose from! A wedding comprises so many guests from across your lives that it's always got to be a classic. Too esoteric or too heavy and the dancers will drift away. Although HumanPlaylistr doesn't really cover evening entertainment, I've attended my fair share. Personally I think it needs to be upbeat; you can't go wrong with 9 to 5 by Dolly Parton. A great song to finish the evening is Never Forget by Take That.
Which band from the past would you most like to have been part of?
I'd like to be part of Jamiroquai now!
What is the soundtrack to your life?
Anything and everything. I have my favourite artists and tunes of course.