Getting Fly: An interview with Liam of FlyBar and FlyBase
Interviews 03.02.2021
When it comes to wedding celebrations and parties you need great music and lots of booze. Luckily for Ash Barton couples, Liam and his team provide both. We caught up with Liam recently to talk about all night hip-hop parties, specialist cocktails and putting together a banging playlist.
So Liam, tell us about the services you provide
"Basically, our services revolve around everything to do with bars and music.
"So for FlyBar this might include full bar services, cocktails, welcome drinks, table wines and toast drinks. We offer everything from new world IPAs, mulled cider and beers to hot chocolate, coffee and cocktails. If you can drink it, we can serve it!
"And with FlyBase we focus on the audio and visual elements of your wedding or event. So we provide portable PA systems for outside ceremonies, speech systems in all manner of locations, and visual services from big screen TVs to projector slideshows. Then we supply the big guns for the evening in terms of full band and DJ sound systems and sound engineering. We offer all day support and one of our sound engineers will work closely with bands, DJs and solo artists to provide them with just the right equipment and on stage environment so they can perform at their best."
How long have you been running FlyBar and FlyBase?
"FlyBase began originally as a DJ only service back in 2012. I’ve DJ’d several hundred weddings and events since then, and each one is different and fantastic in its own way. And FlyBar was conceived in 2014 when we noticed a huge gap in the market for a high quality, stylish bar service."
What happens on the day of an Ash Barton wedding?
"Well for us, the wedding almost always starts a day or two before and coincides with the arrival of the couple and their families.
"This gives us the time to stock the bar, prepare any special order products or drinks packages and make sure everything is ready to go on the big day. But most importantly it gives us the opportunity to meet with our wedding couple under slightly more relaxed circumstances before the full preparations begin. We really value spending a little time among the family and guests to get to know them and help them feel relaxed and at ease in our presence before the wedding day itself."
"FlyBar were on hand to deliver incredible bar service." Olivia and Tom, Ash Barton bride and groom.
"On the actual day we start early. In fact, we’re often among the first on the scene, usually with the caterers or planner. Having already done a good deal of preparation in the preceding days, we’re able to avoid a flustering, manic atmosphere and can prepare steadily and methodically, liaising with the other suppliers to form a familiar network for the day ahead."
What’s the best thing about doing the bar or music at an Ash Barton wedding?
"The venue itself creates a marvellous, relaxed and joyous atmosphere, where guests and our clients can really shine. Getting to know all of these wonderful people and sharing the evolution of the day with them is a very special experience and actually quite an intimate one. To be trusted enough to be allowed unfettered access to one of the most personal days of a couple’s lives is quite an honour. Knowing we have contributed in some way towards such a special day is the ultimate reward."
And what’s your most memorable or favourite Ash Barton wedding?
"Such a difficult question and one I don't feel I could genuinely answer! There have been some truly amazing and jaw dropping scenes!
"From drag queens hosting a Romeo + Juliet wedding and a Dutch house music collective turning the big party barn into a nightclub to a hip-hop after party in the old chapel that didn't even start until midnight and spending four solid days providing bar and AV services to a huge, festival style wedding! Seriously, I could go....and on......and on!
"We have had the privilege to work with some hugely talented bands, DJs and singers from all over the world and meeting up with our supplier friends on the day always brings a smile to our faces.
"Liam provided the sound system and lighting for our late night chapel rave. The look on our guests faces when they saw it...and then when they heard it..." Gen and Daniel, Ash Barton bride and groom
At an Ash Barton wedding, the couple buy in the alcohol themselves. Do you offer any advice on what they should buy?
"We're happy to offer advice and guidance to any of our couples. Ash Barton is a DIY wedding venue so there’s lots of fun doing it yourself. But FlyBar and FlyBase are always here to pick up on the elements our couples would rather we handled for them, leaving them to focus on their other priorities."
"We used Flybar as our bar. They were fantastic from start to finish." Nicola and Ali, Ash Barton bride and groom
So any unusual requests when it comes to drinks?
"Having seen so many weird and wonderful things at weddings, we have come to expect anything and everything. In fact, the more outlandish the better. You’re only doing it once.
"I recall a beautiful May wedding where we created a trio of cocktails for the bride and groom based on their own quirks and memories. So we had Let's get ready to Rumble, Hubro Espresso and No likey, No lychee. I and one of our mixologists served a about 200 of these cocktails in around two hours from a pop-up bar outside the old chapel. That was hugely entertaining. Then I went on to DJ for the duration of the evening. Exhausting but so much fun!"
How about the music? Do couples hand you a playlist or do you play what you want?
"I’ve DJ'd from strictly ordered playlists and I’ve DJ’d without any client input whatsoever. But I have to say the best nights come from a combination of client and DJ input.
"Our event questionnaire gives the couple the opportunity to list what they like, what they love and what they hate. A playlist is great for getting to know their musical tastes and a good DJ will work with this and inject their own personality, experience and style. Setting up in the days before the wedding often gives us a real insight into what music the couple and their guests like as they are playing their playlists in the barn while making preparations. Or we get them chatting about what they enjoy. It’s undercover, guerrilla research!"
So how often do you meet or talk to couples before the big day?
"As often as is needed for both the couple and us to feel totally comfortable and confident about what is expected.
"Usually one or two meetings and a good string of emails, Facebook messages and phone calls is sufficient. We’re confident in our role, so the important part is ensuring the client develops the same confidence in us to do our best for them.
“The bar service ran like clockwork and everybody was loving the selection of cocktails on offer. Liam is such a great guy." Megan and Matt, Ash Barton bride and groom
And finally, what tips would you give to Ash Barton couples to ensure their day runs smoothly?
"Booking good quality and reputable suppliers is a given. So much goes on behind the scenes that a bride and groom may never even find out about. Good suppliers fix problems amongst themselves before you ever know about them.
"I always remind the couple to enjoy the months of planning. It may seem like a huge undertaking but just break it down into lots of smaller jobs and hit those one at a time. It should be fun!
"And try not to stress the small things on the day. You'll be surrounded by friends and family who love you and they will have your back for the entire day. So relax and just enjoy the whole amazing experience. You've earned it."
