Safeguards I Took as a Wedding Magician at The Switch House by Cescaphe
Wedding Magic at The Switch House by Cescaphe in Fishtown
On June 6, 2026, I was hired to perform magic for a wedding cocktail hour at The Switch House by Cescaphe in Fishtown, Philadelphia. You can see the guests' reactions in the photographs on this page. It takes many years of hard work, phasing out material that doesn’t land as well, before learning to consistently get these reactions. However, being hired as a magician in Philadelphia is not the same as bookings in a smaller city. According to INRIX, traffic in Philadelphia is among the top 5 cities in the world. That is why parties and events in Philadelphia require greater effort and additional safeguards to ensure a prompt arrival, even when traveling from Center City to a nearby neighborhood like Fishtown.
Below, I listed the measures I took to ensure I didn't miss any part of the wedding or otherwise fail to entertain guests for as long as the bride and groom wanted. To respect privacy, I will only use the first names of the bride and groom who hired me, Cassidy and TJ.
Safeguards I Used Before the Wedding Cocktail Hour
Installed the Lyft App as a Backup Transportation Option
I always have the app “Lyft” installed on my phone. This way, if my vehicle ever breaks down, I can find alternate transportation more quickly.
Kept an Umbrella in My Vehicle
I keep an ubrella in my vehicle at all times. This ensures that I will not walk into the wedding soaked and dripping water.
Reserved Parking Using ParkWhiz App
Several days before the wedding, I researched available parking reservations as close to The Switch House at Cescaphe as possible. The Battery Garage is directly next to The Switch House and had available parking, so I reserved parking through the ParkWhiz app. I printed a physical hard copy of the QR code on paper to avoid scanning issues instead of relying on my phone screen.
Checked the Gas Level in My Tank
The day before the wedding, I checked the gas level in my tank to ensure I wouldn’t run out.
Proactively Monitored Weather Forecasts
The day before and on the day of the wedding, I monitored forecasts to anticipate potential precipitation.
Left Extremely Early
I left several hours early to safeguard against accidents and navigational challenges, and to allow time to implement a backup plan if there were any mechanical issues (e.g., a flat tire). Philadelphia has far more accidents and traffic jams than the average city, and not by a small amount!
Arrived nearby at Rivers Casino in Fishtown
I arrived at Rivers Casino approximately 4 hours early. Rivers Casino is only 5 minutes from the Switch House. I spent about 3 hours at Rivers Casino (ordering food, eating, and working on tasks from my phone to kill time).
Parked at The Switch House 1 Hour Early
After leaving Rivers Casino, I drove the final 5 minutes to The Switch House and parked 1 hour early. The first thing I did was confirm that the event was on the second floor and that there were no other weddings or events. I navigated the building and found the wedding. It was too early to start, but I was 1 hour early, parked, and fully aware of exactly where the wedding was within The Switch House.
Sent check-ins with my direct cell phone number
I sent check-ins 1 week before the wedding, 1 day before the wedding, and on the day of the wedding that included my phone number in the email signature. This way, if the bride or groom encountered any unexpected issues, they would not have to spend time searching for my phone number to contact me.
Accommodated the Client when Schedule Ran Late
Wedding schedules tend to run a bit behind, and this event was no exception. I am proud to say that I did not charge extra or cut the time short. I happily accommodated this delay by starting later and staying later to maintain the originally planned duration. This meant Cassidy and TJ still received the full entertainment time they hoped for.
The Results
The goal of securing a punctual arrival was successful. The entertainment actually went a tiny bit overtime as a close-up VIP guest act took place in a private room on the first floor.
Below is a Thank You card from Cassidy and TJ, the newly married couple.
A text version of the feedback from the couple is below.
"Jesse, Thank you SO much for being a part of our special day. An amazing surprise you were for us and our guests! Grateful for your talent, professionalism, and care. Appreciate you making our wedding day - June 6, 2026 extremely magical! Love, Cassidy & TJ”