Crafting A Wedding Shtick: A Guide To Adding Humor

The Yiddish word 'shtick' means 'piece' or 'prank' and is often used to refer to the fun extras that people bring to a wedding to enhance the enjoyment of the couple. The tradition is derived from the Talmud's mandate to dance and rejoice for a bride on her wedding night. In a modern context, shtick can include anything from singing and dancing to juggling, silly costumes, magic tricks, fire eating, jumping rope, and more. The goal is to make the happy couple even happier, so feel free to be creative!

Dress up in the couple's favourite hobby gear, like their sports team kits

If you're looking to incorporate the couple's favourite hobby gear into your wedding shtick, here are some ideas to get you started.

Choosing the Right Sport

Firstly, you'll want to decide on the sport or hobby that you want to dress up as. This could be the couple's favourite team sport, such as baseball, hockey, or football, or even an individual sport like fishing. If the couple has a favourite hobby that isn't a sport, you could also consider dressing up in gear related to that activity. For example, if they're avid fishermen, you could don fishing vests and carry rods, or if they're into dancing, you could wear fun, colourful outfits and break out some dance moves during the reception.

Creating the Right Look

Once you've chosen the sport or hobby, it's time to start planning your outfit. If you're going for a team sport, try to incorporate the team's colours, jerseys, and any other signature items they wear. For example, if the couple is a fan of the Chicago White Sox, you could wear black outfits to match the team's colours, or even create a wedding dress and tuxedo in the team's colours. If the couple cheers for a hockey team, like the Detroit Red Wings, opt for red flowers and other decorative items in the team's colours.

You can also get creative with your props. For instance, if the couple enjoys fishing, use a fishing pole to "catch" the groom, or create a hockey-puck wedding cake. If the couple is into football, add subtle nods to their favourite team on the place cards or incorporate the team's logo into the wedding decor.

Adding Personal Touches

To make the shtick even more memorable, consider adding some personal touches. You could incorporate inside jokes or special sayings of the bride and groom into your outfit or performance. For example, if they have a favourite saying, print it on t-shirts or caps. You could also bring items that represent the couple's personalities or interests, such as their favourite books or movies, and incorporate them into your performance or display them at the reception.

Final Thoughts

Remember, the goal of the shtick is to bring joy and laughter to the happy couple and their guests. So, feel free to be creative, think outside the box, and most importantly, have fun with it!

Bring bubbles, whistles, tambourines, bells, and other musical instruments

If you want to bring musical instruments to a wedding, there are a few options to consider. Firstly, you could bring whistles, tambourines, bells, or other similar instruments to play during the dancing. This will add to the festive atmosphere and get everyone in the mood to celebrate. You can also buy or make your own wedding bell decorations, such as paper bells, to hang up at the venue. These can add a whimsical and romantic touch to the decor.

Another idea is to provide guests with mini bubble wands, which they can blow during the wedding send-off or at other key moments. Bubbles are a fun and whimsical way to add some magic to the occasion. You can find a variety of options for bulk purchases of mini bubble wands online, often coming with heart-shaped tops or in mini champagne bottle shapes. These can also serve as wedding favours for guests to take home.

If you want to go the extra mile, you could even prepare a short skit or performance involving the musical instruments. This could be a fun and unexpected way to entertain the newlyweds and the other guests.

Wear wigs, funny hats, and glasses

Wearing wigs, funny hats, and glasses is a great way to bring the fun to a wedding! Here are some ideas to get you started:

Wigs

Wigs can be a great way to add some colour and fun to your wedding outfit. You could match the wig to your outfit or go for something completely different to stand out. If you're feeling creative, you could style the wig in a unique way, like spiking it up or adding braids. For those who want to make a statement, go for a bold colour like pink, green, or blue.

Funny Hats

Hats are another great way to accessorize your wedding outfit and add a touch of humour. You could go for a traditional hat with a twist, like a top hat with flowers or feathers. Or, if you want to be more outrageous, you could opt for a giant cowgirl hat, a satellite dish-inspired creation, or even a beach ball with pictures stuck on it! If you're feeling crafty, you can make your own hat by attaching flowers, feathers, or other decorations to a simple base.

Glasses

Glasses can also be a fun accessory to add to your wedding outfit. You could go for something simple like a pair of oversized frames or choose novelty glasses with funny shapes or colours. If you want to be more subtle, you could opt for colourful lenses or light-up glasses. For a coordinated look, get matching glasses for the whole wedding party!

Combining Accessories

Don't be afraid to mix and match your accessories! You could wear a wig and a hat, or even add some glasses to complete the look. For example, you could pair a bright pink wig with a giant flower hat and some heart-shaped glasses. Or, for a more subtle approach, wear a sleek black wig with a small fascinator and some cat-eye glasses.

Remember, the key to a great shtick is to be creative, have fun, and make sure your accessories enhance your outfit and don't overwhelm it. Enjoy planning your wedding shtick!

Make a skipping rope out of napkins for the couple to jump over

Making a skipping rope out of napkins for the couple to jump over is a fun idea for a wedding shtick. Here is a detailed, step-by-step guide to creating this unique and entertaining feature for the wedding celebration:

Planning and Preparation:

Before the wedding, gather the necessary materials and plan the design of your skipping rope. You will need a sufficient number of napkins, preferably made of a sturdy material that can be easily tied or knotted together. Consider the length of the rope you will need, allowing enough space for the couple to comfortably jump over it. Decide on any additional decorations or personal touches you want to include, such as ribbons, beads, or tassels.

Creating the Rope:

On the wedding day, start by preparing the napkins. Cut them into rectangles, removing any existing folds or creases. Cut each rectangle into strips of equal width. The number of strips needed will depend on the desired length of the skipping rope. For added durability, you can knot multiple strips together end-to-end to create longer strands.

Braiding the Rope:

Take your prepared strips and group them into two sets of six strands each. Knot all the strands together at one end and secure this end to a fixed object, such as the back of a chair. Separate each group of strands into three pairs and begin braiding. Continue braiding until you reach the desired length, then knot the ends of the braids to prevent them from unravelling.

Assembling the Skipping Rope:

Now, take your two braided sections and twist them together to form a single rope. Secure the ends with knots. You can add handles by wrapping tape around each end of the rope, creating a comfortable grip for the couple. If desired, you can decorate the handles with ribbons, beads, or tassels.

Presentation and Performance:

Present the skipping rope to the couple during a lively part of the celebration, perhaps during the dancing. Encourage the couple to hold the handles and jump over the rope together, adding a playful and interactive element to their special day. This shtick will surely bring smiles and laughter to the newlyweds and their guests!

Remember to plan and practise your shtick in advance, ensuring that the skipping rope is sturdy, secure, and comfortable for the couple to use. Most importantly, have fun with your creative idea and enjoy the joy it brings to the wedding celebration!

Prepare a short play, dance, or song for entertainment

If you're looking to prepare a short play, dance, or song for entertainment at a wedding, here are some ideas to get you started:

Short Play

If you're writing a short play, consider incorporating some comedic elements and inside jokes that will be appreciated by the couple and guests. You could also include a skit or two, which was a common practice in Jewish weddings during the Middle Ages. Alternatively, you could perform a short play based on a well-known movie or musical that the couple enjoys.

Dance

If you're planning a dance performance, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, think about the music you'll be dancing to. Upbeat, fun songs are always a good choice to get the crowd going. You could also incorporate some props or costumes to make your performance more engaging. Finally, don't be afraid to get creative with your choreography. You could include elements of acrobatics or even fire eating, which has been done at Jewish weddings!

Song

When choosing a song to perform, consider selecting a tune that is meaningful to the couple. You could also write a unique song just for them, incorporating personal references and inside jokes. If you're feeling adventurous, you could even write a comic song, similar to the jesters who performed at wealthy Jewish weddings in the past.

Remember, the goal is to make the happy couple even happier, so feel free to be as creative and whimsical as you like!

Frequently asked questions