Dayton Grey Music is a national finalist at The Wedding Industry Awards
Dayton Grey Music first started in 2013 when Dayton was 32. "I was very shy, hence the late starts," says Dayton. "I initially performed as part of a duo named Domino with my close friend Helen Hale. Considering my shy nature, I was surprised to find myself so at home on stage, and I soon gained confidence! It wasn’t long before I added new solo shows A Tribute To The Legends of Soul & Motown, For The Love of Luther (Luther Vandross Tribute) and Old Skool Flava (classic R&B). This month, I debut Ocean Devotion (Billy Ocean Tribute).
"In 2014, I performed my first wedding as a soloist. The feeling was like no other! Eager to explore my place in the industry, I took part in several wedding fairs. Things took off quickly and all subsequent bookings came from recommendations, guests from previous weddings, social media, or TV shows.
"Then the pandemic hit. The impact on our amazing industry was devastating. It didn't just affect suppliers financially. Weddings planned by couples for years were suddenly, and heartbreakingly, cancelled and rescheduled only to be cancelled again. My wife and I spent countless hours consoling devastated couples, rearranging their original suppliers and being a soundboard during difficult times. One of my couples originally from the UK (now living in Dubai) came back to stay with their family. The groom contacted me, and we planned for me to do a surprise doorstep performance for his bride-to-be on the date I was supposed to sing at their wedding! Her reaction was priceless, and it was a moment I'll never forget!
"As a supplier, my wife and I become emotionally invested in each couple's special day. Being chosen is such an honour, one we never take for granted. Throughout the process, we create great relationships with the couples, so they feel like they are speaking to a trusted friend, rather than a service provider. I’m often rebooked to sing & DJ at their future events, christenings, birthdays, anniversaries. That's such a magical feeling!
"In 2021, I was awarded Wedding Musical Act of the Year in the West Midlands by The Wedding Industry Awards. Being my first time nominated, winning was a huge surprise! I was delighted to win the title again last month, for the second consecutive year! I'm now a national finalist, and the winner will be announced on February 23rd, 2022.
"In addition to performing covers, I write and record original music. Two recent collaborations with writer/producer Alex Lloyd went straight to number one in the Amazon Music charts! During the lockdown, I was approached to be the male lead of a new national theatre show, Endless Love. Phenomenal vocalist, Leanne Sandy, will perform Diana Ross' songs while I present Lionel Richie's hits. I feel privileged to have this opportunity and cannot wait to premiere the show at the Lighthouse Theatre, Kettering, on 26th February, 2022.
"Throughout my career, I’ve been blessed to share the stage on several occasions with Ray Lewis, former lead singer of The Drifters, invited to be an industry expert judge on BBC1’s All Together Now, and performed as a mystery singer on BBC1’s I Can See Your Voice. This month, I will be appearing on ITV's new primetime show, Starstruck. It has a real nostalgic Stars In Their Eyes feel! Olly Murs hosts and the panel features Jason Manford, Beverley Knight, Sheridan Smith, and Adam Lambert."
Iconic British brand Dualit presents a curated selection of wedding gifts designed to be cherished for years, and in some cases, generations to come. From romantic, café-style mornings to shared moments over hot chocolate, each gift will be enjoyed well beyond the wedding day. A thoughtful gift for couples who love to bake and a must have for every kitchen. The Dualit Hand Mixer is a firm favourite among top chefs and seen on TV, combining high performance and a chic retro design, this versatile tool is available in Copper or Chrome finish.
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Tagvenue Reveals Its 2026 Event Predictions
As the events sector continues to evolve, 2026 is set to mark a clear turning point for UK venues. Leading event booking platform Tagvenue has released its predictions for how the UK events and hospitality sector will evolve in 2026, pointing to a decisive shift away from scale, standardisation and fixed packages, and towards experience-led formats, wellbeing and clearer communication of value. Drawing on booking behaviour across thousands of UK venues, alongside insights from independent hospitality operators, Tagvenue predicts that the most successful event spaces in 2026 will be those that combine strong identity with flexibility, visual appeal and transparency around pricing and experience.
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Experts Warn Against Using AI for Wedding Vows
With peak wedding season approaching, experts are warning couples not to rely on AI to write one of the most personal parts of their big day – their vows. A survey by jewellers Queensmith has revealed that more than half (55%) of UK brides and grooms are now using AI tools to help write their wedding vows and speeches, raising questions about authenticity, originality and even potential legal grey areas. The findings come amid a growing debate around AI-written vows after a registrar in the eastern Netherlands saw a marriage called into question when AI was used to help write the ceremony script. In the case, the District Court of Overijssel ruled that "no marriage has been established" after it emerged the registrar had relied on ChatGPT to draft parts of the ceremony. The case has sparked wider concerns that AI-generated wording could unintentionally mirror existing vows or scripts found online, raising questions about originality and authenticity.
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Marriage, Money, and Modern Love: Gen Z and Millennials
"As a family barrister, I spend much of my professional life dealing with what happens when relationships break down," says Rosanne Godfrey-Lockwood, Family Barrister at 4PB. "That vantage point inevitably shapes how I think about marriage — not cynically, but realistically. It is perhaps unsurprising, then, that one of the most notable trends I have observed in recent years is the growing interest in prenuptial agreements among Gen Z and younger Millennial couples.
