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."
2026 looks set to be the year of the European stag weekend, with more guys looking at heading abroad than staying in the UK. Yes, according to one of the UK's leading stag do providers, a whopping 59% of stags are jetting off to celebrate in Europe with Benidorm, Albufeira, Prague and Lisbon all top choices for the groom's big send-off. "With the rise of budget air travel and comparatively cheaper costs abroad for food and drinks, it's no huge surprise more stags are looking at a weekend away over staying in the UK," said Jon Stainer, Creative Director at StagWeb.co.uk.
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I SA-y yes! How soon-to-be wedded couples and newlyweds can use their ISAs
From venues and catering to the dress and rings, wedding expenses can quickly add up. With the average cost of a UK wedding now more than £20,000, and with so many other pressures on our finances, putting money aside for your special day can feel challenging. A Cash ISA can be an efficient way for couples to save for their big day. With the Personal Savings Allowance limited to £1,000 for basic rate taxpayers, the tax-free allowance in an ISA has the potential to help you reach your goals sooner. Chris Henderson, Save and Pay Director at Tesco Bank, shares his top tips on how couples can save for a wedding and beyond.
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Married to your surname? 26% of women are planning on keeping theirs
Lots of people are ditching traditions when it comes to modern weddings and marriage - one of which quickly losing favour is the tradition of taking your partner's surname. In a recent survey carried out by Pandora UK, almost nine in ten (88%) women said they think that attitudes to married names are changing in 2026 ¹. When asked, over a quarter (26%) of unmarried women said they'd keep their last name if they got married, whilst less than half (45%) said they'd take their partner's name. This is indicative of the shift in opinion in recent years, as when married women were asked, only a sixth (17%) of women said they kept their maiden names when they got married, whilst the majority (78%) took their partner's surname, with just 4% choosing to double-barrel their last name with their significant other.
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Love is in the air: Eden Mill and COCO Chocolatier partner to create the perfect Valentine's bundle
Independent distiller, Eden Mill and Edinburgh-based artisan, COCO Chocolatier, have launched a limited-edition bundle just in time for Valentine's Day - featuring award-winning gin and a luxurious chocolate bar. The Love Gin & COCO Chocolatier Bundle pairs a bottle of Eden Mill's iconic Love Gin with a bespoke bar of Salted Caramel Milk Chocolate. Designed with gifting in mind, the chocolate is presented in stunning, custom packaging inspired by the Love Gin's romantic aesthetic, beautifully merging the two brands.
