Make Your Wedding Fun: Creative Ways To Engage Guests

No one wants their wedding to be boring, but it can be hard to keep all your guests entertained. Here are some tips to make your wedding fun for everyone. First, make sure your guests have something to eat and drink while they wait for the happy couple to return from taking photos. You could also provide entertainment like a photo booth, lawn games, or even a fire pit for making s'mores. If your guests don't know each other, consider a pre-wedding event to break the ice, and be thoughtful with your seating plan. Keep the schedule flexible, and don't forget to relax and enjoy your day!

Introduce guests before the wedding

One of the best ways to make your wedding less boring is to ensure your guests are not left hanging around with nothing to do. A wedding brings together two families and sets of friends, which usually means a big group of people who don't know each other and will awkwardly attempt small talk. To avoid this, it's a good idea to get your friends and families to meet before the wedding. This can be done by inviting relatives and out-of-town guests to the rehearsal dinner or hosting a low-key welcome party to break the ice. Use these occasions to introduce those who might have common interests. For example, your uncle who loves Top Gun could be introduced to your fiancé's fighter pilot cousin.

Set Up a Group Text, Email, or Facebook Page

Create a group for your bridal party to get to know each other. This can be a group text, email, or Facebook page. This will allow them to connect and get to know each other before the wedding. They can share advice, catch up, and get to know each other. They will most likely friend and follow each other on social media, and this can be a great way to start conversations and help them bond.

Make the Introduction

As the host, you can make the initial introduction by sending a group email with everyone's name, role, email address, and phone number. This way, your guests can get in touch with each other directly. Make sure to include important contact information, especially for the maid of honour or best man, as they will likely be taking the lead on planning events like the bachelorette or bachelor party.

Create a Guesterly Book

Ask each of your guests to answer a short questionnaire and put their photo and information together in a cute booklet. This can be shared with all the guests so they can learn a little more about each other before the big day. It's a fun and unique way to introduce your guests to each other and get everyone excited for the wedding.

Try to Set Up an In-Person Meeting

If some or all of your guests live locally, get everyone together in person. There's no better way to form a bond than meeting face-to-face. You can invite them over, meet for brunch, or try one of these ideas:

• Learn something together: Take a class together, like surfing lessons or a group cooking class. It's a great way to get everyone comfortable and give them something to chat about.
• Find common interests: If you and your guests love wine, organise a winery tour and tasting. It's a comfortable atmosphere for your guests to get familiar with each other, and you'll pick up skills to show off at your menu tasting.
• Organise a dinner tour: Plan a progressive dinner at some of your favourite spots. Move to different locations for each course, and get your guests involved by asking for their recommendations.
• Become master mixologists: If you're serving a signature cocktail, invite your guests over to help you figure out the perfect recipe. It's a fun and interactive way to introduce everyone and get them excited about the wedding.
• Do a unique activity: Invite your guests out to lunch and have a psychic do short readings. It's a unique and entertaining way to break the ice and create memories before the wedding.

By introducing your guests before the wedding, you can help ensure that everyone feels comfortable and has a great time celebrating your special day.

Provide entertainment

Entertainment is key to making your wedding memorable and enjoyable for your guests. Here are some ideas to ensure your wedding is anything but boring:

Interactive Entertainment

Interactive entertainment is a great way to break the ice and get your guests mingling. Consider hiring entertainers such as:

• Magicians
• Caricaturists
• Belly dancers
• Singing waiters
• Fire performers
• Tricked-out DJs

Games

Lawn games are a great option for outdoor weddings. Set up games like:

• Giant Jenga
• Cornhole
• Bocce ball
• Croquet

If your wedding is indoors, a photo booth with fun props or life-sized board games like Jenga will keep your guests entertained.

Music

Music is essential to creating a lively atmosphere. Whether you hire a DJ or a band, choose entertainment that will keep the energy up and cater to guests of all ages. If you're having a drinks reception, provide a lounge area with music, snacks and drinks to keep your guests occupied while you're busy with photos.

Speeches

While speeches are traditional, they can be tedious if they go on too long. Keep them short and engaging by limiting them to about 10 minutes each and focusing on heartfelt stories and memorable anecdotes. Spread the speeches throughout the evening to maintain energy and engagement.

Food

In addition to delicious food, consider interactive food stations such as a taco bar or sushi station to add a fun element and create conversation starters.

Dessert

While wedding cakes are traditional, offering a variety of desserts can be a fun surprise. Set up a full dessert bar with everything from whoopie pies and truffles to cupcakes and candies. This will keep your guests' energy high and give them a treat to enjoy throughout the night.

The key to a fun wedding is to focus on your guests' experience. Introduce guests before the big day to help them relax and connect, provide entertainment and snacks to avoid downtime, and most importantly, relax and enjoy your special day!

Offer snacks before the reception

Offering snacks before the reception is a great way to ensure your wedding guests remain energised and entertained. It is a simple yet effective way to enhance their experience and make your wedding memorable. Here are some tips to consider:

Choose Interactive Food Stations

Interactive food stations, such as a taco bar or sushi station, can be a fun and engaging way to offer snacks before the reception. These stations encourage guests to move around, make their own snack plates, and even customise their food. It adds an element of interactivity and creates conversation starters. For example, guests might bond over their shared love of sushi or discuss their favourite taco fillings.

Offer Light Bites

The snacks you offer should ideally be light and bite-sized. Guests will likely be mingling and standing, so offering something easy to eat with one hand is ideal. Mini empanadas, vegetable skewers, and fried macaroni and cheese balls are all tasty options. These snacks should be designed to satisfy your guests' hunger without filling them up before the main reception meal.

Consider Theming

Theming your snacks or creating a unique presentation can make the snack offering more engaging and memorable. For example, you could have a "build-your-own" snack station with various toppings and dips. Alternatively, you could offer snacks that reflect your cultural heritage or a particular theme you have chosen for the wedding. Theming adds a layer of interest and can be a great conversation starter.

Timing is Key

Ensure you offer these snacks at the right time, filling the gap between the ceremony and reception. Typically, the couple will disappear for photos during this time, leaving guests waiting. Offering snacks during this period prevents restlessness and keeps your guests' energy and mood high.

Drinks and Music

Pairing snacks with drinks and music can elevate the experience. Offer a variety of beverages, including non-alcoholic options, to cater to different preferences. As for music, create a relaxed and enjoyable ambiance with a soft, upbeat playlist. This combination of snacks, drinks, and music will transform the waiting period into a mini cocktail hour, keeping your guests entertained.

By offering snacks before the reception, you ensure your guests remain energised, satisfied, and engaged throughout your wedding celebrations.

Choose an interesting venue

The venue you choose for your wedding can have a significant impact on how much your guests enjoy themselves. While traditional venues like ballrooms or gardens are beautiful, choosing a more unique location can make your wedding stand out.

• Science museums: Many science museums allow you to rent out their exhibit areas for events, providing an educational and entertaining backdrop for your wedding.
• Zoos: Banquet spaces with views of the animals can be an exciting and unconventional choice for your celebration.
• Outdoor venues: If you opt for a venue with a garden or rooftop, you can set up lawn games like cornhole, bocce ball, or croquet to keep your guests entertained.
• Themed areas: Even if you choose a traditional venue, you can make it more interesting by incorporating creative elements like themed areas or a lounge styled after your favourite travel destination.

By selecting an intriguing venue and enhancing it with unique touches, you can create a memorable and engaging atmosphere for your wedding.

Keep speeches short

To keep your wedding from being boring, it's important to keep the speeches short and engaging. Here are some tips to achieve that:

Limit the Number of Speeches

It's best to limit the number of speeches to a few key guests, such as the maid of honour, best man, and parents of the couple. Too many speeches can make the event feel long and tedious for your guests.

Time Limit

It's a good idea to set a time limit for each speech. Aim for around 10 minutes per speech. This will help to keep the energy up and ensure your guests remain engaged.

Content

Encourage your speakers to focus on heartfelt stories and memorable anecdotes. Guests will appreciate hearing personal and meaningful stories about the couple. It's best to avoid long-winded or dry speeches that may lose the attention of your guests.

Timing

Consider spreading the speeches throughout the evening. This way, you can maintain a good flow and keep your guests' interest. You don't want your guests to feel overwhelmed or bored by having back-to-back speeches.

Visuals

Instead of a traditional speech, you could let your speakers use a laptop and screen to present a slideshow or a quirky video. This will add a fun and entertaining element to the speeches, giving your guests something different to look at and enjoy.

Delegate

If you're worried about the speeches taking too long, you can also delegate a friend or a wedding planner to gently remind speakers about the time limit. This will help to keep things on track and ensure the speeches don't dominate the evening.

Remember, the key to successful speeches is to keep them concise, engaging, and well-timed. By following these tips, you can ensure your guests remain interested and entertained throughout the event.

Frequently asked questions