Rhiannon Hendricks
Planning a wedding can be a stressful experience, and many couples feel the pressure to make their big day fun for their guests. While there's no one-size-fits-all solution, there are plenty of ways to ensure your wedding is a memorable occasion for all the right reasons. From unique entertainment ideas to thoughtful touches for your guests, here are some tips to make your wedding fun.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| People | The most important element of a wedding is the people. Make sure to invite people you are close with and who will get along with each other. |
| Food | Get the best food within your budget. Feed people on time and with enough food. |
| Drinks | Have a good selection of drinks. You could have a beer bar, a champagne tower, or a DIY bar area. |
| Music and dancing | Music is an important part of a fun wedding. If you can, hire a live band or a DJ. |
| Activities | There are many activities you can organise to entertain your guests, such as outdoor lawn games, a photo booth, a bouncy castle, or a ball pit. |
| Personal touches | Incorporate your personalities, interests, and hobbies into the wedding. You could also include an inspirational quote that is meaningful to you. |
| Guest comfort | Make your guests feel taken care of. Provide welcome notes at the hotel and a seating chart. |
| Location | Choose a location that is meaningful to you. If the weather permits, have your cocktail hour outdoors. |
| Details | Small details can make a big difference, such as having a selfie stick, advice cards, or a unique guest book. |
What You'll Learn
Feed people on time
Feeding your guests on time is one of the most important elements of throwing a fun wedding. After all, "hangry guests are not happy guests"! Here are some tips to ensure your guests are well-fed and happy:
Choose the Right Caterer
Select a caterer who will provide delicious food that your guests will rave about. The food you serve will impact the rest of the reception—it will give your guests the energy to dance and socialise, and it will be a topic of conversation. So, choose a caterer who will leave your guests satisfied and raving for more.
Serve Food at the Right Time
If your wedding is during a typical mealtime, ensure that you serve a full meal. Guests will not enjoy themselves if they are hungry and thinking about their next meal. It is also important to let your guests know what to expect. If you are only serving cake and punch, inform your guests on the invitation so they can plan to eat beforehand.
Accommodate Dietary Restrictions
It is important to serve food that accommodates your guests' dietary restrictions and preferences. No one wants to be at a wedding reception where they are unable to eat due to a lack of options. Discuss options with your caterer to ensure that all your guests feel cared for and are able to enjoy the food.
Don't Forget Your Vendors
Don't forget to feed your wedding vendors! They will be putting in a long and intensive day of work, so providing them with a meal is a thoughtful way to say thank you. It is common practice to include any vendor who will be with you for most of the day in your meal count. This typically includes your photographer, videographer, wedding planner, venue manager, photo booth attendant, and DJ or band. It is also a nice gesture to provide a simple box of snacks and water for vendors who may not be present for the entire day, such as florists, lighting providers, and makeup artists.
Timing for Vendors
The timing of meals for your vendors is important. It is recommended that they are served just after the couple, head table, and parents' tables are served, but before the remaining guests. This ensures that your vendors finish eating around the same time as the couple, and they are ready to capture and execute the start of the party once guests are done with their meal.
By following these tips, you can ensure that your guests and vendors are well-fed and ready to enjoy the celebration, making your wedding a fun and memorable event for everyone!
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Create a unique playlist
Music is a key element of a fun wedding. One of the best ways to ensure your wedding is a memorable and enjoyable experience is to create a unique playlist that reflects your tastes and those of your guests.
Ask for Guest Requests
One way to ensure your guests will be on the dance floor all night is to ask them to send in song requests with their RSVPs. This will guarantee a full dance floor and a fun time for all.
Mix Things Up
If you want to keep things fresh and exciting, try mixing different genres of music. For example, if you and your friends love indie rock, you could throw in some Motown classics to get everyone on the dance floor. This will create a fun and inclusive atmosphere, ensuring that guests of all ages and tastes are catered to.
Reflect Your Personality
Your wedding is a celebration of you and your partner, so make sure your playlist reflects that. If you love hip-hop, play some hip-hop tunes. If you're a fan of 70s disco, get everyone grooving to some funky beats. Your guests will feed off your energy, so if you're having fun, they will too!
Create a Variety of Moments
Not everyone is a dancer, so it's important to create a variety of moments throughout your wedding. While high-energy dance music is great, don't forget to include some slower songs for guests who want to chat or take a break from dancing. You could also have a silent disco, where guests wear headphones, so those who aren't dancing can still enjoy the atmosphere without the music being too loud.
Hire a Live Band or DJ
In addition to your carefully curated playlist, consider hiring a live band or DJ to take your wedding to the next level. Live entertainment will add a special touch to your wedding and keep your guests entertained. Whether it's a local band or a celebrity impersonator, live performances will create lasting memories for you and your guests.
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Make it a weekend wedding
If you're looking for ways to make your wedding fun, why not extend the celebrations and make it a weekend-long event? This gives you more time to celebrate and means your guests can relax and enjoy themselves without having to rush off.
Day-Before Cocktail Hour
Kick things off with a cocktail hour the day before the wedding. This is a great way to break the ice and get everyone mingling, especially if you have guests who don't know many other people attending. You could even turn it into a full-blown pre-wedding party with music, dancing, and games.
Morning-After Brunch
The fun doesn't have to stop when the wedding is over. Host a morning-after brunch to keep the celebrations going and give everyone a chance to relive the best moments from the night before. This is also a great opportunity to open any wedding gifts you received.
Accommodation
If your wedding is in a rural location, it might be worth looking into accommodation for your guests so that they don't have to worry about travelling back and forth. This could be in the form of a block booking at a local hotel or even glamping on the wedding venue grounds.
Activities
To fill the weekend, you could organise some activities for your guests to get involved in. This could be anything from outdoor lawn games to a bouncy castle or a silent disco. If you want to go the extra mile, you could even hire some unique entertainment like a celebrity impersonator, a tarot card reader, or a live painter.
Relaxed Schedule
When planning a weekend wedding, it's important to have a relaxed schedule so that your guests don't feel overwhelmed. Allow for plenty of downtime and make sure there's a variety of activities on offer so that people can choose how they want to spend their time.
Local Attractions
If there are any local attractions near your wedding venue, you could include these in your weekend plans. This could be a fun way for your guests to explore the area and discover something new. It could be a guided tour, a visit to a local winery, or even just a recommended walk with a scenic viewpoint.
Themed Weekend
If you want to go all out, you could plan your entire weekend around a specific theme. This could be something you and your partner are interested in or a theme that ties in with the location of your wedding. For example, if you're getting married in a forest, you could have a woodland-themed weekend with nature walks, outdoor games, and a campfire.
By turning your wedding into a weekend-long celebration, you'll have plenty of time to create fun and memorable experiences for you and your guests.
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Include outdoor lawn games
Outdoor lawn games are a great way to keep your guests entertained during cocktail hour. If you're looking to add some fun to your wedding reception, here are some ideas to get you started:
Corn Hole
A classic lawn game that's perfect for guests of all ages. It's easy to learn and can be played in teams, making it a great way to get people mingling.
Bocce Ball
Another popular choice for outdoor weddings, Bocce Ball is a fun and casual game that will have your guests laughing and enjoying themselves. It's a great option if you're looking for something a little more active than corn hole.
Giant Jenga
This oversized version of the classic table-top game is sure to be a hit with your guests. It's a great ice-breaker and can be played in teams or individually. Watching the tower teeter as it gets taller and taller will have everyone on the edge of their seats!
Scavenger Hunt
If there are going to be kids at your wedding, a scavenger hunt is a fantastic way to keep them entertained. Create a list of items for them to find around the venue, such as a certain type of leaf, a bird feather, or something blue. The first one back with all the items wins!
Croquet
For a more elegant outdoor game, set up a croquet course on the lawn. It's a great option for guests who want a bit of friendly competition without too much running around. Plus, it's sure to look charming in your wedding photos.
Outdoor Games for All Ages
In addition to the games mentioned above, there are plenty of other outdoor lawn games that can be enjoyed by guests of all ages. Consider setting up a horseshoe pit, a ring toss, or a giant version of Connect Four. For a more active option, set up a three-legged race or a sack race. These games are sure to bring out the kid in everyone!
Remember, the key to a fun wedding is keeping your guests entertained and creating opportunities for them to mingle and make new friends. By including a variety of outdoor lawn games, you'll have your guests interacting and creating lasting memories. So, get creative, mix and match different games, and don't be afraid to think outside the box!
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Hire a caricaturist
Hiring a caricaturist for your wedding is a great way to entertain your guests and create a unique and personalised touch to your celebration. It is a natural ice-breaker that will inspire conversation and laughter among guests, making them feel special and valued.
Caricaturists can mix and mingle with guests at drinks receptions, drawing those not involved in the immediate family photos. They can also draw guests during the meal, either standing to the side or moving from table to table. For the evening reception, they can set up an area and build up a crowd or continue to table-hop and draw.
When selecting a caricaturist, ensure they have experience in events, especially weddings. Check their portfolio, reviews and whether their style aligns with your vision. It is also crucial that they can work quickly to accommodate as many guests as possible. On average, a caricaturist can manage between 10-15 caricatures per hour, so take into account the number of guests at your wedding and the length of time you wish to book the artist for.
Caricaturists can also create whimsical and distinctive wedding invitations or thank-you cards, emphasising the personal touch of your event. They can also draw from photos from home studios, creating wedding favours, place-holders and signing boards.
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Frequently asked questions
Here are some fun food and drink ideas:
- Serve carnival food.
- Pop champagne before the ceremony.
- Serve drinks on "My Two Cents" coasters.
- For a brunch reception, serve a waffle bar.
- Hire a food truck for a late-night snack.
- Serve a variety of drinks in a beer bar.
- Rent a Pub-Hub for a DIY bar area.
- Have a cheese cake instead of a traditional cake.
- Have a champagne tower.
- Have sharing boards as evening food.
Here are some fun decor ideas:
- Dress the groomsmen up like superheroes.
- Decorate the "first look" moment.
- Use disco balls as decor.
- Decorate the bathrooms with childhood photos.
- Rent a bounce house for the reception.
- Include neon signs.
- Drape fabric over the tables.
- Create a bespoke chill-out zone with cushions and blankets.
- Decorate your aisle with balloons, disco balls, florals, or foliage.
- Have coloured glassware.
- Decorate your chairs with ribbons, hessian wraps, or foliage.
Here are some fun entertainment ideas:
- Hire a live band or DJ.
- Hire interactive champagne servers.
- Rent a bouncy castle.
- Have outdoor lawn games like corn hole, Bocce ball, or giant Jenga.
- Hire a celebrity impersonator.
- Have a fireworks display.
- Set up amusement park rides.
- Hire a magician or tarot card reader.
- Have a silent disco.
- Hire a live painter.
- Have a caricature artist.
- Have a photo booth.
- Hire cultural dancers.
- Have a tattoo station.
Here are some other ways to make a wedding fun:
- Make your guests feel taken care of.
- Feed people on time.
- Let loose and have fun as the host.
- Have a pre-wedding field day.
- Add a line for DJ song requests on your RSVP cards.
- Get custom wedding Converse.
- Lose the bartender and serve alcohol in water coolers.
- Have a ball pit.
- Have a group shot of your entire guest list.
- Get a selfie stick.
- Hire a wedding photographer with a sense of humour.
