Should You Have a Magician at Your Wedding Reception?

Magician At a Wedding?

You are probably reading this article because you heard from a friend that having magic at a wedding was a fun idea, or maybe your fiancé suggested the idea and you are getting an idea of what magic at your wedding would look like.

Congratulations on your engagement! I hope this article can give you some ideas for your wedding reception, and I hope it helps you decide if having a magician for your wedding is right for you.

I want to point out that while I am a magician for weddings, I also had my own wedding in 2019, so I have experienced firsthand the joys and stresses of planning a wedding.

With that being said, here are some things to consider for having magic at your wedding.

Magic at Weddings is An Amazing Icebreaker!

Anyone who plans weddings will tell you how important it is to have an icebreaker during the reception, especially during your cocktail hour. Many of your guests are meeting for the first time, and it can help to have an icebreaker like magic to spark a conversation.

Most wedding magicians know how to be polite, personable and interesting to talk to in addition to performing great magic. There is a lot of value in having someone who is great at conversations alone!

Whenever I have performed magic at weddings, I don’t know who is on the groom’s side or bride’s side, so that often leads to me including both sides in watching/participating in a trick.

Also, there are very few things that are a better icebreaker than someone telling the story of how a guy walked up to them, held his finger above their phone, and caused the phone to unlock itself!

Roaming Magic or a Show?

Whenever I do magic for weddings, 90% of the time I am roaming throughout the reception during the cocktail hour and then again while everyone is socializing on the dance floor. It is perfect because everyone is walking around, talking, and meeting each other so also including short bits of close-up magic for anyone who wants to see it makes a lot of sense!

Though less common, I have also done short, 15-20 minute shows on a stage for the entire wedding. This was towards the end of the night and the bride and groom had planned an entire cabaret of entertainment to be taking place at their wedding. It was a lot of fun and was very well received by their guests!

In either case the first question you should be asking is where you see the magic taking place.

Hiring The Right Wedding Magician Can Be Very Classy

In cities like NYC and Los Angeles, magic shows are a fancy thing to attend. Just look at shows like the Chamber Magic in Manhattan or the Magic Castle in Los Angeles.

“But wait, don’t magicians wear sparkly vests and ask people to pull scarves from their sleeves?”

No, not unless they are a children’s magician.

There are different styles of magic you can see. Most magicians for weddings will be sharply dressed in a suit or tuxedo and perform sophisticated tricks using playing cards, borrowed rings, mind-reading, and so much more

How Much Does a Wedding Magician Cost?

Most weddings that I perform magic for cost between $2000-$3500, depending on the time of year and travel costs.

I cannot speak for all magicians for weddings as some are less or more expensive, but I think that this is a good starting point to consider when considering a wedding magician’s rates.

Factors that come into play when hiring a magician for a wedding include experience, the magician’s popularity, travel distance, and time of year.

Is a Magician Right for Your Wedding?

Every wedding is different, so there is no one-size fits all answer to that question. I have personally performed magic everywhere from celebrity weddings at the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC to a pop-up tent in the parking lot of a hockey rink.

There are a lot of factors at play to consider and it is ultimately up to you if you want to give your guests unique, interactive entertainment during your special day.

In any case, if you are planning a wedding and would like more information on having me perform magic at your wedding reception, get in touch and we can discuss the best options for your wedding!