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Writer's pictureIan Bennett
Aug 305 min read

A Circus-Themed Wedding at Garthmyl Hall: A DJ's Perspective



Helter Skelter outside Garthmyl Hall for Circus Themed Wedding
Garthmyl Hall


This summer, I had the incredible opportunity to DJ at a truly unique wedding at Garthmyl Hall in Montgomery, Wales. The stunning Georgian venue, known for its blend of historical charm and modern elegance, was the perfect setting for a wedding that was anything but ordinary. The couple’s choice of a circus theme brought an extra layer of excitement and whimsy to the day, transforming the elegant estate into a vibrant, carnival-inspired celebration.


The Soundcheck: The Big Top Comes to Life


As guests began to arrive, the atmosphere was already buzzing with anticipation. The circus theme was evident from the moment they stepped through the doors, with decorations and details that transported everyone to a magical world under the big top. I set the mood with a soundcheck that featured a mix of rock and alternative tracks, beginning with The Smashing Pumpkins' "Siva" and The Beatles' "Ticket to Ride." As the vibrant decorations twirled in the air, Polyphia’s "Playing God" added a modern twist, blending perfectly with the evening's theme.


The Event Begins: A Colorful Carnival of Sound


With the event in full swing, Donovan’s "Sunshine Superman" set a bright, playful tone, while Jimi Hendrix’s "Crosstown Traffic" added a dash of rock edge. The crowd’s excitement grew as the unmistakable tune of Quincy Jones' "Soul Bossa Nova" filled the air, perfectly matching the lively, colorful atmosphere of the circus-themed décor.


The First Dance: A High-Energy Surprise


In keeping with their circus theme, the couple surprised their guests with a lively and unexpected choice for their first dance: Lulu’s "Shout." Far from the traditional slow dance, this energetic number had everyone clapping along and set the tone for an evening filled with fun and surprises. The guests cheered as the couple twirled and laughed, embodying the joyful spirit of the day.


A Dance Floor Extravaganza


As the night progressed, the dance floor turned into a vibrant, circus-like spectacle with a playlist designed to keep everyone moving. Stevie Wonder’s "I Wish" and Earth, Wind & Fire’s "September" got everyone on their feet, while the Bee Gees' "You Should Be Dancing" and Ottawan’s "D.I.S.C.O." maintained the high-energy vibe. The mix of soul, funk, and disco classics perfectly matched the colorful, festive atmosphere, ensuring the dance floor was never empty.


The Main Event: A Carnival of Hits


The couple’s circus-themed celebration took a nostalgic turn as I played a series of pop and rock hits that had everyone singing along. From the Spice Girls’ "Stop" to Aqua’s "Barbie Girl," the playlist was a hit with guests of all ages. The party really came alive with Rednex’s "Cotton Eye Joe" and DJ Casper’s "Cha Cha Slide," bringing a carnival-like energy to the dance floor.


Rocking the Big Top: The Late-Night Set


As the night wore on, the music took on a harder edge, perfectly in tune with the couple's eclectic tastes and the circus's wild spirit. AC/DC's "Back In Black," Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit," and Rage Against the Machine's "Killing in the Name" gave the late-night set an intense, electrifying vibe. The guests responded with wild enthusiasm, turning the dance floor into a pulsating carnival of sound and movement.


The Grand Finale: A Spectacular Send-Off


To close out the night, I returned to some classic anthems that brought everyone back to the dance floor one last time. The Fratellis' "Chelsea Dagger" and Arctic Monkeys' "I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor" ensured that the evening ended on a high note. And as Queen’s "Don’t Stop Me Now" played, it was the perfect finale to a night that was as thrilling as a circus act and as joyful as a celebration of love should be.


Reflections on a Perfect Day Under the Big Top


DJing at this circus-themed wedding at Garthmyl Hall was an experience I'll never forget. The couple’s imaginative theme, combined with the venue’s timeless elegance, created a wedding celebration that was truly one-of-a-kind. The night was filled with laughter, dancing, and a carnival of memories—everything you could wish for in a wedding and more.



Sound Check:

  • The Smashing Pumpkins – "Siva"

  • The Beatles – "Ticket to Ride"

  • The Beatles – "Tomorrow Never Knows"

  • Polyphia – "Playing God"

  • ABBA – "Dancing Queen"

Event Starts:

  • Donovan – "Sunshine Superman"

  • Jimi Hendrix – "Crosstown Traffic"

  • Quincy Jones & His Orchestra – "Soul Bossa Nova"

First Dance:

  • Lulu – "Shout"

Main Playlist:

  • Martha Reeves & The Vandellas – "(Love is Like a) Heatwave"

  • Stevie Wonder – "I Wish"

  • Ottawan – "D.I.S.C.O."

  • Bee Gees – "You Should Be Dancing"

  • Earth, Wind & Fire – "September"

  • Curtis Mayfield – "Move On Up"

  • James Brown – "Get Up I Feel Like Being a Sex Machine"

  • Incredible Bongo Band – "Apache"

  • Ike & Tina Turner – "Nutbush City Limits"

  • Sweet – "Wig Wam Bam"

  • Status Quo – "Down Down"

  • Diana Ross – "Chain Reaction"

  • Aretha Franklin – "Respect"

  • Gloria Gaynor – "I Will Survive"

  • Jean Knight – "Mr. Big Stuff"

  • Gloria Jones – "Tainted Love"

  • Spice Girls – "Stop"

  • S Club 7 – "S Club Party"

  • Aqua – "Barbie Girl"

  • Vengaboys – "We Like to Party! (The Vengabus)"

  • B*Witched – "C'est La Vie"

  • Sham Rock – "Tell Me Ma"

  • Rednex – "Cotton Eye Joe"

  • Steps – "5, 6, 7, 8"

  • DJ Casper – "Cha Cha Slide (Original Live Platinum Band Radio Edit)"

  • Whigfield – "Saturday Night"

  • Los Del Rio – "Macarena (Bayside Boys Mix)"

  • Lou Bega – "Mambo No. 5 (A Little Bit of...)"

  • Ricky Martin – "Livin' La Vida Loca"

  • The Gap Band – "Oops Upside Your Head"

  • Village People – "Y.M.C.A."

  • The Rocky Horror Picture Show – "The Time Warp"

  • Mud – "Tiger Feet"

  • Slade – "Cum On Feel The Noize"

  • David Bowie – "Rebel Rebel"

  • Dexys Midnight Runners – "Come on Eileen"

  • Men at Work – "Down Under"

  • Midnight Oil – "Beds Are Burning"

  • AC/DC – "Back In Black"

  • Queen – "Don't Stop Me Now"

  • Wheatus – "Teenage Dirtbag"

  • Fountains of Wayne – "Stacy's Mom"

  • blink-182 – "All the Small Things"

  • The Offspring – "Pretty Fly (For a White Guy)"

  • Paramore – "Misery Business"

  • Head Automatica – "Beating Heart Baby"

  • Mindless Self Indulgence – "Never Wanted To Dance (Original Explicit Album Mix)"

  • Fall Out Boy – "Dance, Dance"

  • Panic! At the Disco – "I Write Sins Not Tragedies"

  • My Chemical Romance – "Teenagers"

  • Sum 41 – "Still Waiting"

  • Good Charlotte – "Lifestyles Of The Rich And Famous"

  • Arctic Monkeys – "I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor"

  • The Futureheads – "Hounds Of Love (Radio Mix)"

  • Maxïmo Park – "Our Velocity"

  • Foo Fighters – "Pretender"

  • Nirvana – "Smells Like Teen Spirit"

  • Rage Against the Machine – "Killing in the Name [Explicit]"

  • System Of A Down – "Toxicity"

  • Linkin Park – "Points of Authority"

  • Limp Bizkit – "Rollin' (Air Raid Vehicle) [Explicit]"

  • Disturbed – "Down With the Sickness"

  • Drowning Pool – "Bodies"

  • Lower Than Atlantis – "A Thousand Miles"

  • The Automatic – "Gold Digger"

  • Placebo – "Every You Every Me"

  • Maneskin – "I Wanna Be Your Slave"

  • The Fratellis – "Chelsea Dagger"

  • Blur – "Country House"

  • Arctic Monkeys – "When the Sun Goes Down"

  • Jamie T. – "Sheila"

  • Kelis – "Millionaire (Feat. Andre 3000) (Radio Edit)"

  • OutKast – "Roses"

  • Chase & Status – "End Credits (Feat. Plan B)"

  • Enter Shikari – "Sorry, You're Not A Winner (Extended)"

  • Tenacious D – "Tribute"

  • blink-182 – "I Miss You"

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