Junior Rasmussen
Keeping your wedding guests entertained is an important part of wedding planning. The time between the ceremony and reception is often used by the wedding party to take photos or make final preparations for the reception. To prevent your guests from getting bored during this time, you can organise games or activities such as a scavenger hunt, trivia quiz, or outdoor games like giant Jenga or croquet. You could also hire a professional entertainer, such as a DJ, wedding band, or magician, or set up a photo booth. Alternatively, you could host a cocktail hour with drinks and appetisers, or, for a unique experience, a boat tour, city bus tour, or carriage ride.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Entertainment | Fireworks, Musicians, DJs, Magicians, Caricaturists, Photo Booths, Games, Scavenger Hunts, Trivia Quizzes, Outdoor Games, Karaoke, Boat Tours, Bus Rides, Carriage Rides, Casino Tables, Mini Golf, Piñatas, Petting Zoos, Video Games, Garden Swings |
| Purpose | To keep guests entertained and happy while waiting for festivities to begin, during the transition between the ceremony and reception |
| Timing | During the cocktail hour, before the reception gets into full swing |
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What You'll Learn
Outdoor games, like giant Jenga or scavenger hunts
Outdoor games are a great way to entertain wedding guests before the reception, especially if your wedding venue has a lawn or outdoor space. Giant Jenga is a popular choice, as it's easy to set up and everyone knows how to play. You can even personalise the game by adding questions or fun facts about the couple on each block.
If you're looking for something more active, a scavenger hunt is a fun option. Create lists of items for your guests to find or take photos of, or set up a series of riddles or questions about the couple for guests to answer. This can be a great way to get guests exploring the venue and mingling with each other. You could even provide disposable cameras for added fun.
For those who want to offer a range of outdoor games, there are plenty of options to choose from. Lawn games such as totem tennis, sack races, cornhole, and croquet are all great choices that are sure to get your guests moving and entertained. You could even set up a simple horseshoe toss, with participants competing to throw horseshoes the furthest.
If you're looking for something more relaxed, a game of bocce or foosball can be a nice option. For a creative twist, consider a giant version of Connect Four or a personalised game of totem tennis with tennis rackets and a ball on a string. These games are sure to keep your guests entertained and can add a unique and memorable touch to your wedding day.
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Photo booths with funny props
Photo booths are a great way to entertain wedding guests before the reception. They offer guests the opportunity to have some fun and create memorable pictures. While a basic, prop-free photo booth can be entertaining, adding creative and funny props can make the photo-taking experience more engaging and interactive.
There are many affordable and easily accessible options for photo booth props. For instance, you can purchase colourful ombre wigs, allowing guests to change up their hairstyle in photos. You can also provide a variety of glasses, hats, and silly costumes, such as ram horns, blue French horns, duck ties, and silly glasses. These props will encourage guests to embrace their creativity and strike funny poses.
If you want to incorporate a theme or something meaningful into the photo booth, you can include custom props. For example, you can have cutouts of your pets' faces, as mentioned by a user on Reddit, or incorporate a beloved movie theme, such as Star Wars, with light-up sabers and inflatable planets. You can also add a unique touch with thought bubbles on sticks, glittery paper cutouts, or custom signs with your wedding hashtag.
Additionally, you can enhance the photo booth experience by providing a backdrop or setting up a unique entrance. For instance, you can create a celestial-themed backdrop with inflatable planets or hang bowls of colourful confetti at the entrance. These additions will make the photo booth area more inviting and exciting for your guests.
A photo booth with funny props will not only entertain your wedding guests but also provide them with memorable souvenirs from your special day.
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A cocktail hour with drinks and appetisers
A cocktail hour is a great way to entertain your wedding guests before the reception and acts as a buffer between the ceremony and the reception. It allows your guests to mingle and enjoy drinks and appetisers in a laid-back atmosphere. Here are some tips to make your cocktail hour memorable:
Choose Delicious Appetisers
Select appetisers that are easy to eat while standing and mingling. Miniature-sized, one-bite snacks are always a hit. You can serve saucy bites on skewers, allowing your guests to hold their drinks in one hand and eat with the other. Fried mac 'n' cheese lollipops are another fun and mess-free option. If you want to serve something more substantial, consider mini baskets or skillets of noodles or full pizza pies.
Creative Drink Ideas
Get creative with your drink choices. You can offer a variety of cocktails, but also consider enhancing your drinks with unique touches, such as serving kettle corn (salted or caramel) or pairing your signature cocktail with a mug of soup (like gazpacho for summer or warm tomato soup for fall).
Add a Unique Twist
Work with your caterer to add whimsical touches to your appetisers' presentation. For example, you could serve bites in miniature baskets or skillets. If you want to include an activity, consider something like a selfie station or lawn games to keep guests entertained beyond eating and drinking.
Live Music
If your budget allows, consider adding live music to your cocktail hour. A solo musician, such as a pianist or a jazz ensemble, can create a classy and memorable atmosphere for your guests.
Remember, the cocktail hour is a great opportunity to introduce your guests to your wedding's cuisine and set the tone for the rest of the reception. It's a time for your guests to relax, enjoy delicious food and drinks, and transition into party mode!
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Live entertainment, like a band or magician
Live entertainment is a great way to keep your wedding guests happy while you're busy with photos and other activities before the reception. Magicians and musicians are both popular choices for wedding entertainment.
If you're thinking of hiring a magician, consider the type of performance you want. A strolling or roving magician can perform close-up magic for small groups of guests during a cocktail hour or while guests are enjoying reception drinks. This type of performance is interactive and can help to break the ice between guests who may not know each other. However, some people may find it annoying or intrusive to have a magician approaching their table, so it's important to consider your guests' preferences and whether magic is something that you and your partner are interested in.
If you're worried about interrupting your guests' conversations, you could consider having a stationary magician who performs for guests who choose to approach them. This way, guests who aren't interested can avoid the performance without feeling interrupted.
On the other hand, if you're thinking of hiring a musician or band, there are also a few things to consider. Solo musicians are typically more affordable, and you could even have multiple solo musicians performing in different areas to surprise your guests. For example, you could have a pianist in the main foyer and a jazz ensemble on the outside lawn. If you have a larger budget, you could consider hiring a small jazz trio or string quartet for an elegant touch.
Whether you choose a magician or a musician, live entertainment is sure to add a memorable touch to your wedding and keep your guests entertained before the reception begins.
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A unique experience, like a boat tour or carriage ride
Boat rides and carriage rides are both romantic and unique ways to entertain your wedding guests before the reception. They can also serve as transportation to the reception venue, especially if it is held at a new location.
If you're looking for a boat ride experience, consider the size of your guest list and the style of boat you want to use. For instance, Lake Geneva Cruise Line offers eight different boat options that can accommodate up to 225 guests, while City Cruises can accommodate up to 320 guests with multi-level ships that include climate-controlled spaces and open-air outdoor decks. If you're seeking a more intimate experience, their private charter boat, the Virginia Elite, can host up to 66 guests. You could also opt for a canoe ride for just the newlyweds, providing a private moment and an excellent photo opportunity during the golden hour.
Horse-drawn carriage rides offer a timeless and elegant experience. Mackinac Island is renowned for its peaceful, scenic roads, making it an ideal location for a carriage ride. The bride and groom can make a grand entrance by arriving at the ceremony in an elegant carriage and then continuing with a romantic ride through the island after the ceremony.
To enhance the guest experience, consider providing unique transportation options such as a VW campervan, a rustic wagon ride, or even a tandem bike. These choices will not only impress your guests but also offer a fun and memorable way to travel to the reception venue.
Remember to plan for the commute time, especially if the reception venue is at a different location. You can include enclosure cards with your invitations to ensure a smooth transition for your guests. Additionally, consider having a cocktail hour during the downtime between the ceremony and reception. This will allow your guests to mingle and enjoy themselves before the reception commences.
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Frequently asked questions
There are plenty of affordable ways to entertain your wedding guests before the reception. Here are some ideas:
- Host a cocktail hour with drinks and light appetisers.
- Organise fun games like scavenger hunts, trivia quizzes, or outdoor games like giant Jenga or corn hole.
- Hire a solo musician to perform during the cocktail hour.
- Set up a photo booth or Polaroid session for guests to take fun photos.
If you're looking for something unique and memorable, consider the following:
- Hire a magician or comedian to perform.
- Offer a boat tour, city bus tour, or carriage ride, especially if you have out-of-town guests.
- Set up a piñata shaped like a wedding cake or your initials.
- Create a personalised wedding magazine or newspaper for guests to read.
It's important to minimise the gap between the ceremony and reception to maintain the flow and energy of your wedding day. However, if there is a longer wait, here are some tips:
- Provide engaging activities like games or interactive guest books.
- Offer a variety of entertainment, such as live music, magic shows, or a photo booth.
- Serve appetisers and signature cocktails to keep your guests refreshed and mingling.
