Christian Wedding Reception Fun: Creative Ways To Celebrate

Planning a wedding reception can be a daunting task, especially if you want to make it fun and engaging for your guests. Here are some tips to help you create a memorable Christian wedding reception that your guests will love:

- Hire a great DJ or band: A professional DJ or band can make a huge difference in the atmosphere of your reception. They will not only play your favorite music but also control the flow of the event, make announcements, and provide audio equipment for toasts.

- Create a fun atmosphere: Encourage your guests to join you on the dance floor by staying on the dance floor yourself. You can also include interactive music and events, such as a bouquet or garter toss, school songs, and familiar music that invites everyone to dance.

- Set the right length for your reception: A long reception can make guests feel bored and tired. Aim for a reception that is 3-4.5 hours long, including time for dinner, special dances, toasts, and open dancing.

- Set expectations for your guests: Create a program or sign that lists the schedule of events, such as dinner, cake-cutting, and toasts, so your guests know what to expect.

- Offer a variety of entertainment: Consider including other forms of entertainment besides dancing, such as a photo booth, live musicians, outdoor games, or a bonfire with s'mores.

- Incorporate your faith: If you want to incorporate your Christian faith into your reception, you can use Scripture verses as decor, include worship music, or display a cross at the ceremony.

- Make your exit memorable: Plan a fun exit that includes your guests, such as a sparkler send-off, bubbles, or birdseed. You can also personally thank each guest by hugging them goodbye.

Remember, not every reception has to be a dance party. You can focus on other aspects like great food, live entertainment, and creating a comfortable and engaging atmosphere for your guests to mingle and celebrate with you.

Hire a live band or DJ

A live band or DJ is an essential part of making your Christian wedding reception fun. Here are some tips to consider when hiring one:

• Hire a professional DJ or band: It is worth investing in a professional DJ or band for your wedding reception. They will be able to read the room and adapt their set accordingly, keeping your guests entertained and the dance floor filled. A good DJ will also be able to act as an MC, making announcements and keeping the event flowing smoothly.
• Create a balanced setlist: A great DJ will know how to read the room and play songs that appeal to all your guests, from the youngest to the oldest. They will also know when to play full songs and when to mix it up to keep the energy high. For example, playing the first 30 seconds of a song—just long enough for people to recognise it and sing along—before transitioning to the next track can be a very effective way to keep the party going.
• Involve your guests: If you want everyone to dance, get everyone onto the dance floor for a big group photo at the start of the open dancing. Play a fun song straight after to keep the energy high. You could also bring guests onto the dance floor by playing familiar, interactive songs like the Cha Cha Slide or YMCA.
• Break up the evening: Your reception will likely be several hours long, so it's a good idea to break up the time with different activities. As well as the first dance, bouquet toss, and garter toss, you could include other traditions like a second line or school songs.
• End on a high: If you're planning a grand exit, make sure your guests are involved. Hand out sparklers, bubbles, birdseed, or eco-friendly confetti so that everyone can join in the celebration.

Serve alcohol

While a Christian wedding reception is a time-honored tradition for newlywed couples to celebrate their new marriage, it can also be a fun event for everyone. If you're looking to add some excitement to your wedding reception, serving alcohol can be a great way to do it. Here are some tips and ideas to help you incorporate alcohol into your special day in a classy and enjoyable way:

Signature Cocktails

Offer your guests creative and unique signature cocktails that reflect your personality and taste as a couple. Whether it's a fun twist on a classic drink or something entirely new, signature cocktails can be a great conversation starter and add a personal touch to your wedding reception. You can even give them creative names that represent your love story or incorporate your wedding theme.

Interactive Champagne Servers

Champagne is a classic beverage for celebrations, and your wedding reception is no exception. Instead of simply having a stationary champagne station, why not add a creative twist? Hire interactive champagne servers who will dazzle your guests with their serving skills. They can pop open bottles with flair or pour champagne into glasses in unique and elegant ways, creating a memorable experience for your guests.

Self-Serve Bar

A self-serve bar can be a fun and interactive way to serve alcohol at your wedding reception. Set up a stylish bar area with all the necessary tools and ingredients, and let your guests mix their own drinks. You can provide a variety of liquors, mixers, garnishes, and ice, allowing your guests to unleash their creativity and craft their perfect cocktail. Just be sure to have a professional bartender on hand to monitor consumption and ensure responsible drinking.

Themed Drink Stations

Theme your drink stations around a particular spirit, such as a tequila bar or a gin bar. You can offer a variety of cocktails made with the featured spirit, allowing your guests to sample different drinks and discover new favorites. Alternatively, you can also theme your drink stations around a particular era, like a 1920s speakeasy, or a specific region, like a tropical tiki bar. This adds a layer of creativity and interactivity to your wedding reception.

Creative Drink Presentations

Think outside the box when it comes to presenting your drinks. Serve shots in test tubes or mini glasses accompanied by finger food. Offer personalized beer bottles with your initials or custom paper bags with your names, wedding date, and venue. You can even set up a punch station or a DIY liquor bar with an on-tap system. These unique presentations will not only impress your guests but also make for great photo opportunities.

When serving alcohol at your Christian wedding reception, it's important to keep in mind the comfort and safety of your guests. Ensure that there are non-alcoholic alternatives available and encourage responsible drinking. By incorporating these ideas, you can create a fun and memorable experience for you and your loved ones as you celebrate your special day.

Include interactive music and events

To make your Christian wedding reception fun and interactive, here are some music and event ideas to consider:

Music:

• Worship music: Instead of popular wedding songs, include worship music that expresses your Christian faith. Songs like "The Prayer" by Celine Dion and Andrea Bocelli, "Ave Maria" by Christina England Hale, "How Great Thou Art" by Pentatonix (featuring Jennifer Hudson), "Nobody Loves Me Like You" by Chris Tomlin, and "When I Say I Do" by Matthew West are great options.
• Live musicians: Consider hiring live musicians to perform during your reception. Options can include a string quartet, a jazz ensemble, or a mariachi band.
• DJ or band: Hire a professional DJ or band to keep your guests entertained and engaged. They can play a mix of popular songs and interactive music that will get everyone on the dance floor.

Interactive Events:

• Bouquet/garter toss: These traditional events can be a fun way to involve your guests and add some interactivity to the reception.
• Second line: Look into the New Orleans tradition of the second line, which can be a unique and fun addition to your reception.
• School songs/college alma maters/sorority and fraternity traditions: Include songs or traditions from your school or college days to get everyone involved and feeling nostalgic.
• Familiar, interactive music: Choose songs that will invite everyone to the dance floor, such as the Cha Cha Slide or YMCA. These songs might be cheesy, but they are sure to get people of all ages dancing and having fun.
• Photo booth props: Bring photo booth props onto the dance floor, such as big sunglasses, glow sticks, beach balls, flower crowns, hula hoops, leis, funny masks, and hats. This will add a fun and creative element to the dancing.
• Outdoor lawn games: If your reception has outdoor space, set up lawn games like corn hole, Bocce ball, giant Jenga, or a scavenger hunt for kids. These games will keep your guests entertained during cocktail hour or breaks from dancing.
• Bonfire: If your reception is during the colder months, a bonfire can be a cosy addition. You can have a s'mores station, encourage guests to share stories, or provide instruments for musical inspiration.
• Interactive champagne servers: Hire creative champagne servers to wow your guests as they arrive and enjoy a beverage.

Decorate with scripture

Decorating your wedding reception with scripture is a great way to remind your guests of the relationship we should have with Christ. Here are some ideas to inspire you:

Table Decor

Add your favourite Bible verse to your wedding reception tables in creative ways. You could use small metal, wood or ceramic signs, or print the verse on paper or card stock. You could also add lace edges, geometric cuts or a hole punch detail to the card stock, or use scrapbook stickers to embellish the print.

Centrepieces

Add a Bible verse to your centrepiece container for your guests to read. Create several picks per arrangement so that everyone at the table can see the verse. You could also make a two-sided place card with the verse.

Napkins

Add a unique touch to your reception table decor with Bible verse napkin wraps. Your guests will read the verse as they pull out their napkin. You could use a free template to print, cut and glue the wraps.

Place Settings

Print a Bible verse to display at each guest's place setting or directly on the plate. You could also print and decorate a bookmark for your guests to take home as a keepsake.

Framed Verse

Print Bible verses on business card-sized paper and place them in small frames. These can be used as table numbers or as Bible verse holders.

Cake

Add a Bible verse to your wedding cake. You could write the verse on the icing or create a cake topper with a Bible verse.

Plates and Napkins

Use disposable plates and napkins with Scripture on them. These can usually be found in the wedding department of hobby stores and online.

Vows

Write out your vows in vow books to use on the day of the ceremony and to look back on later. This will also help you remember any specific scripture you want to quote.

Create a program

A wedding reception program is a great way to set expectations for your guests. It can help them know what to expect and when, so they can make the most of the celebrations. Here is a suggested program for a fun Christian wedding reception:

Welcome and Introduction

• The newlyweds make their grand entrance and are introduced for the first time as a married couple.
• A short welcome speech by the couple, expressing their happiness and gratitude for everyone's presence.

Dinner and Drinks

• Guests are invited to enjoy a meal, with a special table for the couple.
• The meal can be accompanied by live music, such as a string quartet or jazz ensemble, creating a pleasant ambiance.

First Dance and Parent Dances

• The couple shares their first dance as a married couple, with a song that holds a special meaning for them.
• This is followed by the father-bride dance and the mother-groom dance, with an opportunity for the parents to give a short speech or blessing.

Cake Cutting

• The couple cuts the wedding cake, feeding each other the first bite, symbolizing their commitment to each other.
• This can be accompanied by a toast, where the couple thanks their guests and proposes a toast to their future together.

Bouquet and Garter Toss

• The bouquet toss involves the single ladies, with the belief that whoever catches the bouquet will be the next to marry.
• The groom removes the garter from the bride's leg and tosses it to the single men, symbolizing good luck and a lighthearted moment.

Open Dancing

• The dance floor opens up for all guests to join, with a mix of music catering to different generations, such as the 70s, 90s, and 00s.
• Interactive dances like the Cha Cha Slide and YMCA are sure to get everyone on their feet and create a fun atmosphere.

Special Performances

• A live band or DJ can perform a set, creating a vibrant atmosphere.
• Other unique performances can include a drag show, magicians, or even a celebrity impersonator, adding a touch of surprise and delight to the reception.

Last Dance and Grand Exit

• The couple shares their last dance, savoring the moment before their grand exit.
• The guests line up with sparklers, bubbles, or eco-friendly confetti to bid the couple farewell as they depart, marking the end of the reception celebrations.

This program offers a mix of traditional elements with fun and interactive activities, ensuring that the Christian wedding reception is enjoyable for all guests, honoring the couple's special day.

Remember, this is just a suggested program, and you can customize it to fit your preferences and cultural traditions.

Frequently asked questions