Deborah Chan
Wedding receptions are a time for celebration and there are many activities that can be included to make the event memorable. While dancing is a popular activity, it isn't for everyone, so some couples opt for games and other entertainment to ensure all guests are included. From interactive food services to lawn games, magic shows, photo booths, and live music, there are many ways to make a wedding reception unforgettable.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Food and drinks | Grazing tables, doughnut walls, DIY "pimp your drinks" bars, and more |
| Games | Giant Jenga, Connect Four, scavenger hunts, lawn games, board games, card games, and more |
| Dancing | First dance, family dances, ceilidh bands, and more |
| Music | Live bands, DJs, harpists, and more |
| Magic | Magicians wandering around the reception performing tricks |
| Photo booths | Retro Volkswagen photo booths, Polaroid cameras, and more |
| Fireworks | Sparklers for guests to wave during the couple's exit |
| Other entertainment | Celebrity impersonators, live wedding painters, casino tables, and more |
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What You'll Learn
Dancing and music
Music
Music is typically played during the grand entrance of the wedding party and newlyweds. It is also customary to play music during the entire reception, including cocktail hour, dinner, and the open dance. You can choose to have a live band, a DJ, or both. If you opt for a DJ, they can also act as the emcee and introduce each person from the wedding party as they enter. A live band can also add a unique touch to your wedding, such as a ceilidh band, which will get everyone on the dance floor. For a fairy-tale-themed wedding, you could consider hiring a harpist to play during the reception drinks.
Dancing
Dancing is a primary way for newlyweds to set the energetic tone for the reception. The first dance is a traditional part of the wedding reception, followed by family dances, such as the father-daughter and mother-son dances. However, the dance floor isn't for everyone, and some guests may feel uncomfortable or prefer other activities. In such cases, you could organise a silent disco, where guests can groove to the music without having to be on the dance floor.
Combining Music and Dancing
To make your wedding reception truly memorable, you can incorporate music and dancing into unique activities. One idea is to have a dance-off competition, with the newlyweds going head-to-head to showcase their passion for each other. This can be a fun alternative to the traditional first dance and will surely leave your guests enthralled.
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Games and activities
Interactive Activities
If you're looking for something interactive, consider hiring a photo booth with fun props and colourful backdrops. This can also fit your wedding theme if you have one. Fireworks are always a crowd-pleaser and will leave your guests captivated. For something truly unique, you could hire amusement park rides or a mobile axe-throwing business to set up at your venue. A dance-off competition, such as a First Dance Package, can be a fun alternative to a traditional first dance and will leave your guests enthralled.
Games
For a more relaxed atmosphere, you can set up lawn games like giant Jenga, giant Connect Four, cornhole, or checkers. These are great for keeping kids entertained while allowing adults to socialise. For indoor venues, Mad Libs, trivia, and casino games are excellent alternatives. You can also set up board games or card games on each table for guests to play throughout the reception. To encourage mingling, icebreaker games like scavenger hunts or printable wedding-themed trivia are a great option.
Entertainment
In addition to a live band or DJ, consider hiring other forms of entertainment, such as a magician, live painter, celebrity impersonator, or harpist. These unique performances will leave a lasting impression on your guests and create memorable moments.
Food and Drink
Food and drink-related activities are always a hit. Set up a DIY "Pimp Your Drinks" bar or a grazing table with delicious food for guests to enjoy. A doughnut wall is a creative and tasty option. You can also organise interactive food services or a competition for the guest who makes the most visits to the grazing table!
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Food and drink
The dinner is a key part of the reception, with guests and the newlyweds indulging in a meal. This can take an hour or longer, and is followed by toasts and speeches. A champagne toast is usually given by the best man and maid of honour, and other members of the wedding party may also say a few words.
Grazing tables are a popular alternative for evening receptions, where guests can spend hours enjoying a variety of foods. A DIY grazing table can be made, or a company can be hired to create a stunning display. A "Pimp Your Drinks" bar is another fun idea, where guests can accessorise their drinks with shimmery add-ons.
For a fairytale-themed wedding, a harpist can add an elegant touch during reception drinks. Alternatively, a live band or DJ can provide entertainment while guests eat.
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Photos and videos
Photo Booths
A photo booth is a fun way to encourage guests to take photos and can provide entertainment during the reception. Photo booths often come with props and colourful backgrounds, which can be tailored to the wedding theme. For example, a vintage-style photo booth could fit a retro wedding theme. Guests can take home the photos as wedding favours.
Live Wedding Painters
A live wedding painter can capture the scene of the reception and create a unique, artistic memento of the day. The painter can be set up to capture the entire room, or they can focus on the happy couple, painting their portrait.
Disposable Cameras
Disposable cameras can be left on tables for guests to take their own photos. This can result in some fun, unexpected, and candid shots. Guests can be encouraged to take photos during certain parts of the reception, such as the first dance, or the cake cutting.
Professional Photographer
Hiring a professional photographer means you will have high-quality photos of your wedding reception. They can capture key moments, such as the first dance, the cake cutting, and the bouquet toss. The photographer can also take photos of guests at each table, ensuring everyone is included.
Videographer
A videographer can capture the atmosphere and key moments of the wedding reception. The final video will include the sounds and movements of the day, providing a different perspective to still photos.
Guest Photos
Encourage guests to take and share their own photos by creating a unique hashtag for the wedding. This will allow you to see all the photos taken by guests and can encourage guests to upload their photos to social media.
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Performances and entertainment
One idea is to hire a live wedding painter to capture the event. Guests will enjoy watching the painting come to life throughout the reception, and the final product will be a unique memento of the day. Alternatively, a caricaturist or sketch artist can provide entertainment and a keepsake for guests. Guests can take home their fun caricatures or sketches, which can also be themed to match the wedding.
Magicians are another popular choice for wedding entertainment. Magicians can perform tricks for guests during the reception drinks, providing a unique and interactive experience that will leave guests wondering, "How did they do that?".
For music lovers, a silent disco is a fun and innovative way to get guests grooving. This is especially good if your venue has a noise curfew. Alternatively, you could have a ceilidh band, which will get everyone up on the dance floor.
For a fairy-tale-themed wedding, a harpist can provide elegant entertainment during reception drinks. Harpists can play classical, jazz, folk, Bollywood, Irish, and modern music styles, offering a unique twist on wedding music.
For those wanting something a little different, consider a mobile axe-throwing company. They'll bring their trailer, complete with target boards, axes, and lighting, to your event, providing a seriously fun experience for your guests.
Finally, photo booths are a popular form of wedding entertainment, providing guests with fun props and colourful backgrounds. The photos will act as cherished keepsakes of your special day.
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Frequently asked questions
Wedding receptions usually include a cocktail hour, dinner, toasts, first dances, bouquet toss, cake cutting, and a grand exit. However, there are many other activities you can include to make your wedding reception memorable.
There are plenty of unique activities to include at a wedding reception, such as a photo booth, a magician, a silent disco, a live painter, a celebrity impersonator, or a firework display.
Games are a great way to break the ice at a wedding reception. You could include lawn games like giant Jenga, cornhole, or a ring toss. Alternatively, you could have indoor games like Connect Four, Mad Libs, trivia, or casino games.
To keep your guests entertained, you could hire a live band or DJ, or go for something more unique like a harpist or ceilidh band. You could also have a grazing table with delicious food or a "Pimp Your Drinks" bar.
