Make Your Wedding Reception Fun And Memorable

Planning a wedding reception can be a daunting task, but it's also a chance to get creative and make the day memorable. Here are some unique ideas to make your wedding reception fun and interesting:

- Set the right atmosphere with lighting and decor: Use magical lighting like delicate string lights and large hanging bulbs to create an enchanting atmosphere, especially for evening and outdoor receptions. Opt for eclectic table decor with a mix of contradicting flowers and vintage stemware, or go for a modern romance look with blush-toned flowers, pink tablecloths, and elegant personalized candles.

- Involve your guests: Encourage guests to get on the dance floor by leading the way yourself. You can also organize interactive activities like a group photo, bouquet toss, or games such as giant Jenga or a scavenger hunt.

- Unique entertainment: Hire a live band, DJ, or even a silent disco to get people moving. For something different, consider fire performers, circus entertainers, or a mariachi band. If you want to surprise your guests, how about a drag performance or a celebrity impersonator?

- Food and drinks: Delight your guests with a variety of food and drink options. Set up a DIY cocktail bar or a Pimp Your Drink station. Offer unique appetizers like a cheese tower or a donut display. For a fun twist, serve shots of tequila as a welcome drink with guests' names and table assignments.

- Send-off: Traditionally, the newlyweds drive away in a vintage car, but why not make a thrilling exit on a motorcycle? For a colorful farewell, hand out confetti-filled containers to your guests.

- Personal touches: Add special touches like a photo display board of your journey as a couple, a guest book with Polaroid pictures, or a thank-you sign at the exit.

Set up a photo booth

Setting up a photo booth is a fun way to keep your guests entertained and capture some memorable moments from your wedding day. Here are some ideas and tips to create a fun and engaging photo booth experience:

• Props and Backdrops: Enhance your photo booth by providing a variety of fun props such as oversized sunglasses, glow sticks, flower crowns, funny masks, and hats. You can also set up a creative backdrop, like a chalkboard backdrop with fun props, to encourage guests to strike a pose.
• Vintage Vibes: Bring a vintage touch to your photo booth by using an old-school Polaroid camera or a retro VW bus-themed photo booth. It will add a unique and playful element to your wedding reception.
• Personalized Details: Make your photo booth extra special by incorporating personalized details such as a backdrop with your wedding monogram or a neon sign with your wedding hashtag. You can also use customized props, such as cutouts of your pet's faces, to add a playful twist.
• DIY Elements: Get creative and add a personal touch by making your own photo booth backdrop or props. This could include a simple chalkboard backdrop, a flower wall, or even a fun balloon garland that matches your wedding color palette.
• Interactive Elements: Encourage guests to engage with the photo booth by providing interactive elements. For example, you could have a photo scavenger hunt list, challenging guests to capture specific moments or find certain items in the photo booth.
• Guest Book Integration: Combine the photo booth with a guest book by providing a polaroid camera and inviting guests to take photos and paste them into a guest book along with their well-wishes. It will create a fun keepsake for you to look back on.
• Boomerang and GIF Booths: Instead of traditional still photos, consider setting up a boomerang or GIF photo booth. These moving images add a playful twist and can be instantly shared on social media, creating lasting memories for your guests.
• Instant Prints: Delight your guests by offering instant prints of their photo booth pictures. They can take home these fun mementos, and you can even provide cute frames or display options at the booth.
• Themed Props: Choose props that align with your wedding theme. For example, if you're having a tropical-themed wedding, offer props like flamingo floaties, palm leaves, and tropical-themed sunglasses.
• Lighting: Ensure that your photo booth has good lighting to capture clear and vibrant photos. Consider setting up the booth near a window or providing additional lighting fixtures to enhance the image quality.

A photo booth is a fantastic way to engage your guests and create lasting memories. By incorporating these ideas, you can make your photo booth an enjoyable and memorable part of your wedding reception.

Have a live band

Live music is a great way to get your wedding guests up and dancing, and a live band is an excellent choice for a rustic wedding. There are a few things to consider when choosing a live band for your wedding reception:

Choose the Right Genre

First, you'll want to select a band that plays music that fits the style and theme of your wedding. If you're having a tropical-themed wedding, for instance, you might want to consider a steel drum band like Steelasophical Steel Band. Or, if you're having a fairy-tale-themed wedding, a harpist like Dorothy Harpist could be the perfect choice. You could even have a mariachi band, like Mariachi Divas, to add a unique twist to your celebration.

Select the Right Size Band

Live bands can range in size from three to 15 pieces, so you'll want to choose a band that fits your venue and your budget. A larger band will typically cost more, but they can also provide a fuller sound that may be better suited for a large venue. On the other hand, a smaller band may be more intimate and better suited for a smaller, more relaxed wedding.

Consider the Performance Style

You'll also want to think about how you want the band to perform. Do you want them to be stationary on a stage, or would you prefer them to roam around and interact with your guests? Roving musicians, like Mariachi bands or barbershop quartets, can add a fun and unexpected element to your reception. If you're looking for something more traditional, you might prefer a stationary band that performs on a stage or dance floor.

Think About Your Timeline

When planning your wedding timeline, consider when you want the band to perform. Many couples choose to have live music during the cocktail hour or dinner, as well as for the first dance and other special dances. If you're having a long reception, you may want to consider hiring multiple bands or musicians to perform at different times throughout the evening.

Plan for Any Technical Needs

Finally, don't forget to plan for any technical needs the band may have. This includes ensuring there is adequate space and power supply for the band to set up and perform. If your venue has any sound restrictions or noise ordinances, be sure to communicate those to the band ahead of time so they can plan accordingly.

Hiring a live band for your wedding reception can be a fun and memorable way to celebrate your special day. With careful planning and consideration, you can choose a band that will delight your guests and create lasting memories.

Get creative with the guest book

Guest books are a great way to remember your wedding day and the loved ones who were there to celebrate with you. Here are some creative ideas to make your guest book unique and entertaining:

Vintage Typewriter

Set up a vintage typewriter at your reception and ask your guests to type out a note. You can even provide different coloured ribbons or paper for a fun twist. This idea is perfect for a vintage-themed wedding and will surely be a conversation starter among your guests.

Illustrated Pet Portrait

If you and your partner share a love for pets, why not incorporate them into your guest book? You can have a beautiful illustration of your furry friend(s) with space for guests to leave their well-wishes. It's a fun and unique way to include your pets in your special day.

Snail Mail Display

Instead of the traditional guest book, you can set up a snail mail display. Provide envelopes and stationary for your guests to write notes to the newlyweds, which they can then place in a decorative mailbox or dropbox. It's a creative way to receive heartfelt messages that you can cherish for years to come.

Audio Guest Book

For something truly unique, consider an audio guest book. Set up a vintage phone or rotary phone where guests can record their messages and well-wishes. You'll have a playlist of memories to listen to long after the wedding. This idea is perfect for couples who want to incorporate their love of music into their celebration.

Quilt Square Guest Book

If you're crafty and enjoy sewing, a quilt square guest book might be the perfect choice. Provide quilt squares and fabric pens for your guests to decorate. After the wedding, you can sew the squares together to create a keepsake quilt filled with love and well-wishes. It's a fun activity for your guests and a unique way to remember your special day.

Interactive Tree of Wishes

This interactive guest book idea will surely get your guests mingling. Set up a wish tree with hanging tags or cards, and encourage your guests to write their notes and hang them on the tree. It creates a beautiful display and adds an element of interaction to the traditional guest book.

Plan some lawn games

Lawn games are a great way to keep your wedding guests entertained and can be tailored to fit the theme of your special day. Here are some ideas to help you plan some lawn games for your wedding reception:

Choose a variety of games

Select a range of lawn games that will appeal to different interests and skill levels. Classic options include cornhole, ladder toss, and giant Jenga. If you want to add a personal touch, consider customising the games with questions about the couple or your wedding theme. You could also include a ring toss game, a welly-throwing contest, or a game of croquet. For a nostalgic twist, set up a totem tennis game, or a sack race, and for the very active guests, how about a game of limbo!

Create a comfortable space

Make sure there is enough space for guests to move around and play the games comfortably. If your wedding venue has a lawn or outdoor area, utilise this space for the lawn games. You may also want to provide some seating nearby for guests who want to take a break or socialise.

Offer prizes

Consider offering small prizes for guests who participate in the lawn games or for those who win. This will encourage more guests to join in on the fun and add a competitive element to the games. Prizes can be simple, such as a bottle of wine or a box of chocolates, or you could offer something related to the game itself, like a custom cornhole set or a giant Jenga trophy.

Provide refreshments

Keep your guests energised and hydrated by offering refreshments near the lawn game area. This could be in the form of a self-serve station with water, soft drinks, and light snacks, or you could hire a mobile bar service to provide cocktails and other beverages.

Encourage participation

Not all guests will feel comfortable joining in on the lawn games, so think of ways to gently encourage participation. You could have a member of the wedding party or a designated "game master" to invite guests to play and explain the rules. Alternatively, you could include a friendly note in your wedding programme or signage inviting guests to take part in the lawn games.

Adapt for different ages

Consider the age range of your guests and offer a variety of lawn games that will appeal to both children and adults. For example, a scavenger hunt or a colouring station can keep younger guests entertained, while adults might enjoy a game of bocce ball or horseshoes.

Hire a live painter

Live painters are a great way to keep your guests entertained during your wedding reception. They will create a work of art out of the happiest day of your life, which you can then hang in your home and treasure forever.

• Choose an artist whose style you like. Do you prefer a more traditional, realistic style, or something more modern and abstract? Look at the artist's portfolio to get a sense of their work and find one that matches your vision.
• Consider the subject of the painting. Do you want the painter to capture the entire ceremony or reception, or focus on specific moments, such as the first dance, cake cutting, or a romantic moment between the newlyweds?
• Discuss the details with the artist beforehand. Let them know the timeline of the event, as well as any specific moments you want to be sure they capture. You can also request certain colours or themes to be included in the painting.
• Provide a comfortable space for the artist to work. They will need a good view of the action, as well as a table or easel to set up their supplies. If the reception is outdoors, make sure they have shade and protection from the elements.
• Introduce the artist to your guests. Let your guests know that there will be a live painter at the event so they can watch the painting come to life and perhaps even strike up a conversation with the artist.
• Use the painting as a guest book. Have the artist leave some space on the canvas for guests to sign their names or add their own touches, turning the painting into a unique and personalised memento of your special day.
• Display the finished painting at the reception. Once the artist is done, find a place to display the painting so that guests can admire it during the rest of the reception. It will surely be a conversation starter!

Hiring a live painter is a unique and creative way to add a special touch to your wedding reception. It will not only entertain your guests but also give you a one-of-a-kind keepsake to cherish forever.

Frequently asked questions