Make Your Wedding A Bash: Tips For A Fun Celebration

Planning a wedding can be a daunting task, but with the right tips and tricks, you can create a fun and memorable celebration for you and your guests. Here are some ideas to make your wedding a party:

- Incorporate unique entertainment: From drag performances to mariachi bands, fire eaters, and tarot card readers, there are endless options to surprise and delight your guests. Think outside the box and hire entertainment that reflects your interests and hobbies.

- Create a fun photo opportunity: Set up a photo booth with fun props and backdrops, or go for something more unique like a vintage Volkswagen photo bus. You can also add a twist to traditional elements, such as having an owl deliver the rings or making a grand entrance in a hot air balloon.

- Offer unexpected treats: Surprise your guests with a midnight snack or turndown service at their hotel, complete with a sweet note and local treats. You can also set up interactive food stations, such as a cotton candy stand, soft-serve pit stop, or a gelato cart.

- Get creative with your decor: Think beyond the traditional and incorporate unique elements like a flower-clad brass knuckles bouquet, a floating wedding cake, or a custom papel picado-inspired chandelier. You can also bring in elements that represent your interests, such as a mobile bar cart or a basketball arcade game.

- Make it interactive: Encourage guest interaction with printable wedding games, a trivia quiz about the couple, or a scavenger hunt for kids. You can also set up outdoor lawn games like corn hole and giant Jenga to keep guests entertained during cocktail hour.

- Add a personal touch: Include details that represent you and your partner's interests, heritage, or shared experiences. This could be anything from a custom monogram on your decor to a wedding bouquet made of crepe paper peonies or wood flowers.

- Think about your guests' comfort: Provide blankets for a cold outdoor wedding or parasols for shade on a sunny day. You can also set up a colouring book station for kids and offer a hangover kit with essentials like water, pain relievers, and snacks.

- Mix up the music: While a live band or DJ is a must, you can also incorporate other forms of musical entertainment. Hire a mariachi band, steel drum band, or even a silent disco where guests dance to music played through headphones.

- Offer a unique send-off: Instead of the traditional wedding car exit, pick something that suits your style, like a motorcycle ride or a jet-off into the blue. You can also end the night with a sparkling fireworks display or a sparkler send-off, where each guest waves a sparkler as you depart.

- Incorporate your culture: Honour your cultural heritage through food, music, or performances. For example, you could have lion dancers at a Chinese-inspired wedding or serve cuisine from your hometown if you're getting married far away.

- Plan unexpected activities: From a bouncy castle to amusement park rides and celebrity impersonators, there are endless ways to surprise and delight your guests. You can even have a live painter capture the festivities, creating a one-of-a-kind memento of your special day.

Circus performers, fire breathers, and acrobats

Circus Performers

Circus performers can bring a sense of wonder and excitement to your wedding. Consider hiring a group that offers a variety of acts such as aerial and hoop performers, stilt walkers, jugglers, mime artists, contortionists, and tightwire dancers. These performers will surely wow your guests and create lasting memories.

Fire Breathers

Fire breathers provide a dangerous and rare art form that will leave your guests amazed. The Dancing Fire, a professional entertainment company, offers fire breathers who can create large fireballs and manipulate fire to perform eye-popping flame tricks. Their fire breathers are trained professionals who will ensure the safety of you and your guests. Fire breathers are often a grand finale to a fire show, but they can also be incorporated into other performances, such as a tango and fire-breathing fusion.

Acrobats

Acrobats showcase remarkable strength and skill, adding an air of beauty and elegance to your wedding. You can find acrobats who perform choreographed shows or provide ambient walkabout entertainment. Some specific acts to look for include contortionists, hand balancers, tightwire dancers, and acrobatic duos. Acrobats can be a unique and captivating way to entertain your guests and create lasting memories of your special day.

Combining the Elements

You can also combine these elements to create a unique and memorable circus-themed wedding. Consider hiring a company that offers a variety of circus performers, including fire breathers and acrobats, to put on a show that will leave your guests in awe. This can be a fun and unexpected twist to your wedding, creating a festive and playful atmosphere.

Safety and Booking

When booking circus performers, fire breathers, and acrobats, be sure to prioritise safety. Ensure that the performers are trained professionals who adhere to safety standards and can provide a stress-free performance. Additionally, consider the space you have available, as the size and scope of the performance may depend on it.

A photo booth with fun props and backdrops

A photo booth is a fun wedding idea that your guests can enjoy along with the happy couple. It also provides your guests with a lovely memento to take home with them to ensure they remember your wedding day forever. Here are some tips and ideas for creating a fun photo booth with props and backdrops:

Planning and Setup:

• Allow ample space in your floor plan for the photo booth. They require a large footprint, so don't wait until the last minute to figure out how to work it into your layout.
• Include festive props! Creative props that guests can pose with add to the fun. Props can include items that speak to the couple, like paraphernalia from their alma mater, childhood favourites, destinations they've travelled to together, or something significant to where they were engaged.
• If your wedding is in a private home, consider the entire property and create a flow by hosting different events in a variety of areas. For example, you could have the ceremony in the garden, followed by cocktails poolside, and then transition guests to a tented space or inside the house for dinner and dancing.
• If you're setting up the photo booth outdoors, be ready with a plan B in case of rain or inclement weather.
• If space indoors is an issue, consider creating a dance floor and photo booth in an outdoor tent to ensure there's plenty of space for both.
• If your wedding is in a private home, you may need to bring in additional equipment like a power generator, restroom trailers, and extra lounge seating.
• Don't forget to include your wedding hashtag somewhere in your photo booth signage so you'll be able to see any additional snaps captured by wedding guests and shared on social media.

Backdrop Ideas:

• Made popular by celebrity red carpets, a step-and-repeat backdrop allows guests to step up, pose for their photo, and then move along so others can do the same.
• A quilt-inspired backdrop: At this chic outdoor wedding, the couple used a dramatic raspberry-hued quilt as their photo booth backdrop, which also matched the adornments on their wedding cake.
• Minimalist grey photo booth backdrop: A backdrop doesn't have to be over-the-top; it simply needs to create a uniform setting for guests to capture photos.
• Iridescent photo booth backdrop: If your wedding is funky and modern, an iridescent photo booth area can create unique photos.
• Colourful balloon photo booth backdrop: Balloons are great for DIY couples, creating ample drama, and a balloon backdrop is fairly simple to construct.
• Creative wedding greenery wall with a custom neon sign: Greenery is a great addition to a photo booth wall as it is durable and will last all evening.
• Boho wedding decor wall with dried greenery and leaves: At this San Juan Capistrano, California wedding, the couple had dried foliage incorporated into their backdrop, which is a good option for couples planning a wedding with a neutral colour scheme.
• Flower wall for a selfie station: An iPad and ring light can be set up in front of a flower wall backdrop, allowing guests to snap their own selfies.
• Abstract hanging neon photo booth backdrop: Take the custom neon sign trend and flip it on its head by hanging neon lights as your photo booth backdrop. Don't be afraid to have fun with your colour choices.

Live music or a DJ

There are a few things to consider when deciding between live music and a DJ for your wedding. Firstly, you should think about your wedding budget. Live bands are generally more expensive than a DJ, as you are hiring more people. However, if having live music is a priority for you, you can adjust your budget accordingly.

Next, you should think about the vibe and energy you want to create at your wedding. The type of music you choose can set the tone for your wedding and solidify a theme. Think about what musical genre best reflects you and your partner's personalities and the ambiance you want to create. If you want a unique performance with a lot of energy and interaction with the crowd, a live band might be the best choice. On the other hand, if you want a wide range of music and a versatile playlist, a DJ might be a better option.

Another thing to consider is the amount of space your venue has. If you have a large band, you will need to make sure that your venue has enough space to accommodate them and their equipment. Similarly, if you choose a DJ with a large setup, you will need to ensure that your venue has the necessary power supply and doesn't have any restrictions on the number of musicians or equipment.

Finally, think about what would make you and your partner happy. If you love live music and want the energy and performance that a band brings, go for it! If you prefer the versatility and cost-effectiveness of a DJ, that's also a great choice. Ultimately, the decision comes down to your personal preferences and what will make your wedding day memorable and enjoyable for you and your guests.

Outdoor lawn games

• Giant Jenga
• Ring Toss
• Connect Four
• Croquet
• Badminton
• Bocce Ball
• Jumbo Rolling Dice
• Beer Pong
• Kubb
• Bowling
• Dominoes
• Ladder Toss
• Giant Yard Pong
• Washer Toss
• Football Toss
• Lawn Dominoes
• Ladder Golf
• Bean Bag Toss
• Yard Yahtzee
• Hopscotch
• Giant Tic-Tac-Toe
• Cornhole
• High Striker
• Giant Checkers
• Archery
• Mini Basketball
• Shuffleboard
• Roulette

Fireworks display

Fireworks are a great way to make your wedding memorable and special. Here are some tips to help you plan a fireworks display for your wedding:

Timing:

The timing of your fireworks display will depend on the season. In the winter months, it gets dark earlier, so you can hold the display earlier in the evening. This is ideal if you have young children or elderly guests. In the summer, you might have to wait until around 10 pm for darkness, so consider whether your guests will still have the energy for the display after hours of celebrations.

Venue:

Check with your venue to see what they allow. Some venues are happy for you to hold a pyrotechnic extravaganza, while others prefer you to stick to sparklers. Don't plan a display or invest money in it before checking with your venue, and consider whether a sparkling show is a deal-breaker for you when choosing a venue.

Photographer:

Discuss your plans with your photographer, as not all photographers stay beyond the first dance. If you want the fireworks included in your wedding photos, consider negotiating with your photographer to extend their coverage until after the display. A fireworks display also offers the perfect opportunity for incredible group photos and romantic couple portraits.

Guests:

Add the fireworks display to your order of the day, so your guests know what to expect and don't miss out. If you've been apart from your guests, the display is also a great opportunity to regroup and enjoy a magical moment together.

Safety:

Fireworks can be dangerous, so it's important to follow safety guidelines. Wear appropriate clothing and safety equipment, including long pants, long-sleeved tops, socks, shoes, safety goggles, a construction hat, and gloves. Never hold a lit firework or turn your back on one, and ensure fireworks are mounted securely so they can't fall over. Keep a safe distance from the fireworks and have emergency supplies, like buckets of water and fire extinguishers, on hand.

Budget:

Fireworks can be expensive, so plan your budget accordingly. Fireworks are usually charged by the minute, with prices ranging from $1000 to $2000 per minute for a two-minute show, and increasing incrementally up to $30,000 for a 30-minute show. You may also need to cover the cost of a permit from your county's fire marshal's office. Save a significant portion of your budget for the finale, as this will be the highlight of the show. Shop around for the best prices, and consider using consumer-grade fireworks to save money.

Vendors:

Connect with potential wedding venues to find one that allows fireworks and meets your other requirements. Fireworks tend to work best over water, so a venue by the ocean or a lake is ideal. Even if your wedding isn't on the water, ensure there's enough space to do fireworks safely, avoiding trees and buildings. Check local laws and policies, as some locations have restrictions on where fireworks can be shot from and what times they can be used. Most locations will also require a special permit and a fire marshal to be on-site.

Duration:

Keep the fireworks show short and sweet, with a duration of around four to seven minutes. This is long enough for the show to build and end with a big finale without tiring your guests.

Weather:

Consider the weather and season when planning your fireworks display. The ideal weather is a clear, cool night with a light wind, so summertime tends to work well. Fireworks shows can usually continue in light rain, but inclement weather may result in cancellation. Overcast skies, which are more common in winter, can make it harder to see the show.

Guest considerations:

Some guests may have noise or light sensitivities, so consider including a section on your RSVP cards for guests to indicate any sensitivities. You can then accommodate them by creating quiet zones or alternative viewing areas and providing earplugs.

Vendors:

Use online platforms like The Knot Marketplace to find fireworks display vendors, allowing you to read user reviews and sort results based on location and budget.

Frequently asked questions