10 Questions to Ask a Wedding Magician Before You Book

Booking a wedding magician is different from booking a band or a DJ — most couples have never hired a magician before and don't know what questions to ask. Here are the 10 questions that will help you find the right performer and avoid the wrong one.

1. How Many Weddings Have You Performed At?

This is the single most important question. A magician who has performed at 50 weddings and one who has performed at 1,000 are offering fundamentally different things. Wedding experience matters because weddings have specific challenges — nervous families, unpredictable timings, mixed age groups, and the pressure of getting it right on someone's biggest day. Ask for a specific number, not a vague "lots."

2. Can I See Videos of You Performing at Real Events?

Not a showreel of card flourishes to camera — actual footage from weddings or events with real guests reacting. The difference is important. A magician who looks great filming tricks in their bedroom might be awkward approaching strangers at a drinks reception. Videos of live performances show you how they interact with people, how guests react, and whether their style matches the vibe you want.

3. What Will You Perform?

Ask what kind of magic they do. Is it just card tricks, or do they include mind reading, magic with phones and borrowed objects, and close-up magic with coins and watches? A varied repertoire means every group of guests gets a different experience, and guests near each other don't see the same trick twice.

4. How Long Will You Perform For?

The standard wedding booking is 2-3 hours, typically covering the drinks reception and the gaps between courses during the meal. Ask exactly how long they'll perform and which parts of the day they'll cover. A magician who quotes for "the wedding" without specifying hours is being vague for a reason.

5. How Many Guests Can You Cover?

A good close-up magician can comfortably cover 100-150 guests in 2-3 hours. If your wedding has 200+ guests, ask whether they can extend their time or whether they'd recommend additional coverage. You want every guest to experience the magic, not just the ones standing near the bar.

6. What Do You Wear?

This might seem trivial, but appearance matters at a wedding. The magician should dress appropriately for the formality of your event. For most weddings, a suit is standard. If you have a specific dress code (black tie, smart casual, themed), check that they're happy to match it. A magician in jeans at a black-tie wedding is jarring.

7. Do You Have Public Liability Insurance?

Any professional working at events should carry public liability insurance. Many venues require it. If a magician doesn't have insurance, that's a red flag about their professionalism. Ask for proof if your venue needs it — a professional will have a certificate ready to send.

8. What's Included in the Price?

Get a clear, all-inclusive quote. Ask specifically about:

• Travel costs — are they included or extra?
• Parking — do you need to arrange it?
• Meals — do they expect to be fed? (Most professionals eat before arriving)
• Overtime — what happens if the day runs late and you want them to stay longer?

A professional magician should give you a single price that covers everything. Hidden extras are a sign of someone making it up as they go.

9. Do You Have Reviews?

Read their reviews — and not just on their own website, where they control what's shown. Check Google, Facebook, and wedding directories like Hitched or WeddingWire. A wedding magician with hundreds of five-star reviews from verified clients is a safer bet than one with a handful of testimonials on their homepage. Read the detail of reviews too — generic "he was great" reviews tell you less than specific ones that describe what the magician did and how guests reacted.

10. Can We Talk on the Phone?

A phone call tells you more than any website. Is the magician personable? Do they listen to what you want? Do they ask good questions about your wedding? Are they enthusiastic about your day? The way they communicate before the event is a strong indicator of how they'll perform on the day. A magician who's hard to reach, slow to respond, or reluctant to talk is unlikely to be proactive and engaging at your wedding.

Red Flags

• No videos — or only videos filmed alone, not at events
• Very few reviews — or reviews that all sound suspiciously similar
• Vague pricing — "it depends" without explaining what it depends on
• No insurance — unprofessional and potentially problematic for your venue
• Pushy sales tactics — pressure to book immediately or "limited availability" warnings
• Can't or won't speak on the phone — communication is part of the service

Green Flags

• Hundreds of verified reviews
• Videos from actual events with real guest reactions
• Clear, all-inclusive pricing
• Happy to chat on the phone and answer all your questions
• Asks about your wedding — timings, guest numbers, venue
• Professional website with up-to-date content

If you'd like to discuss having a magician at your wedding, I'm always happy to have a no-pressure conversation. Get in touch and I'll answer all of the above — and any other questions you have.