Make Your Wedding Reception Fun With These Ideas

what fun things to do at a wedding reception

Planning a wedding reception that's fun for everyone can be challenging. While dancing is the main activity at most wedding receptions, it's not for everyone. A great way to ensure your guests have fun is to hire additional entertainment, such as a live band, DJ, or even celebrity impersonators. You could also set up lawn games, a photo booth, or a piñata. For a unique twist, bring the glitz of Las Vegas to your wedding with casino tables, singers, dancers, acrobats, or even a miniature golf course. If you're having a winter wedding, a warm bonfire with s'mores is a great way to keep guests entertained.

Characteristics Values
Entertainment Live band, wedding DJ, live wedding painters, celebrity impersonators, drag performance, live music, jazz trio, classical quartet, caricaturist, video games, lawn games, photo booth, 360 photo booth, giant Jenga, Connect Four, chess, dart art station, water balloons, bonfire, s'mores station, singers, dancers, acrobats, contortionists, live wedding painters, celebrity impersonators, drag performers, miniature casino, champagne service
Food and Drink Food, drinks, dessert tasting, light bites, refreshing drinks, creative prosecco service, water balloons
Dancing Dance circles, dance floor, dancing
Traditions Photo booth, shoe game, bouquet toss, toasts, cake, bonfire, s'mores, well wishes
Personalisation Personalised playlists, personalised snapshots, thumbprint tree canvas, message in a bottle, personalised messages
Other Lawn games, outdoor activities, indoor activities, games, activities, speeches, exit

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Photo booths

There are many ways to personalise your photo booth to match your wedding theme. For example, you could create a backdrop with a flower wall, a gauzy curtain, or a plush lounge area. You could even convert an old van into a DIY photo booth for a retro feel. If you're looking for something more glamorous, consider a Hollywood-themed photo booth with a red carpet and paparazzi-style props.

For a unique twist, you could provide guests with a giant cardboard cut-out frame, similar to an Instagram frame, with a personalised message. You could also include a QR code service to collect all the photos and videos from your guests.

If you're feeling crafty, you can DIY your own photo booth by assembling a construction out of heavy drapes or wood panelling. You can also add a custom neon sign with your names, a line of poetry, or symbolic song lyrics.

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Lawn games

Giant Board Games

A giant version of a classic board game like Jenga, Connect Four, or Checkers is a fun and eye-catching option for your wedding reception. These games are easy to play and will bring out the competitive spirit in your guests. You can even add a personal touch by incorporating your wedding colours or interesting facts about the happy couple on the Jenga blocks. Alternatively, set up a checkerboard in a seating area or create a jumbo version by spray-painting a checkerboard pattern on the grass.

Croquet

Croquet is a perfect lawn game for a garden-themed or backyard wedding. It's simple to set up and provides a challenging and enjoyable activity for your guests. It's also a great way to incorporate your wedding theme, as croquet sets are available in different styles.

Spikeball

If you're looking for a team game that will get your guests active, consider Spikeball. This exciting game is a cross between volleyball and foursquare and is sure to be a hit with your guests.

Totem Tennis

Totem tennis is a simple game that will bring out nostalgia and entertain your guests. It involves two players using tennis rackets to hit a ball attached to a string on a pole. It's a great option for couples who want to provide a fun activity without requiring too much explanation.

Sack Race

The sack race is a budget-friendly option that will bring back memories of sports days. It's easy to set up and will have your guests laughing and competing against each other.

Scavenger Hunt

A scavenger hunt is a fun activity that will delight both children and adults. Create lists of items hidden around your venue and hand them out to your guests. You can also include riddles or questions about the couple to make it more challenging and engaging.

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Live entertainment

Hire a band or a DJ: Music is a must-have at any wedding reception, and hiring a live band or a DJ can take your event to the next level. Whether it's a funky jazz band, a classic rock cover band, or a DJ spinning your favorite tunes, having live music will get your guests on their feet and create a lively atmosphere.

Bring in cultural performers: If you want to infuse your wedding with cultural traditions, consider hiring cultural performers. From lively Irish step dancers to graceful Indian bharatanatyam dancers, there are countless options to represent your heritage. Not only will this entertain your guests, but it will also be a meaningful way to honor your cultural roots.

Surprise your guests with a flash mob: Want to surprise your guests and create a truly unforgettable moment? Organize a flash mob! Get your bridal party or even your entire wedding party involved in a secretly choreographed dance routine. The element of surprise will leave your guests amazed and create a memory that will last a lifetime.

Wow them with a fire or light show: Add some spark to your wedding reception with a mesmerizing fire performance or a stunning light show. Fire breathers, fire dancers, and LED light shows will captivate your guests and create a unique visual spectacle. This type of entertainment is perfect for outdoor receptions, especially after the sun goes down.

Share laughter with a comedy act: Laughter is the best medicine, and it can also be a great addition to your wedding reception. Consider booking a stand-up comedian or a comedy troupe to perform a hilarious routine. Alternatively, if you have talented and witty friends, invite them to share a funny story or roast the happy couple—just keep it lighthearted and good-natured!

By incorporating live entertainment into your wedding reception, you're sure to create a dynamic and memorable celebration that reflects your personality and style. Your guests will be talking about it for years to come!

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Creative drink services

Signature Cocktails

Signature cocktails are a fantastic way to showcase your personality and add a creative element to your drink service. These can be designed to reflect your favourite drinks, your love story, or your wedding's location. For example, you could offer whiskey and bourbon-based cocktails for a Southern wedding or fruity cocktails for a beach wedding. You could even name the cocktails after your pet or something meaningful in your relationship.

Themed Beverage Stations

Consider setting up themed beverage stations to provide an interactive and engaging experience for your guests. This could include a hot chocolate bar for winter weddings, a refreshing lemonade stand for summer weddings, or an espresso bar for late-night celebrations. You could also offer craft beers, creating a unique selection that appeals to a variety of tastes.

Creative Prosecco Service

Champagne is often a sought-after beverage at wedding receptions. Get creative with how you serve it by hiring servers to pass out prosecco in unique and entertaining ways. This will surely wow your guests and add a touch of glamour to the celebration.

Pimp Your Drinks Bar

Encourage your guests to get creative with a 'Pimp Your Drinks' bar, where they can add shimmery accessories to their prosecco or other drinks of choice. This interactive drink station will allow your guests to personalise their beverages and add a bit of sparkle to the occasion.

Pour-Over Coffee Bar

For a brunch wedding or a post-dinner treat, a pour-over coffee bar offers a gourmet twist on a classic beverage. Guests will enjoy the theatre of watching their freshly brewed coffee being crafted just for them. This is a great way to cater to a variety of tastes and preferences.

There are endless ways to get creative with your drink services at your wedding reception. These ideas will not only impress your guests but also make your celebration unique and memorable.

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Casino night

A casino night is a great way to bring the glitz and glamour of Las Vegas to your wedding reception. It's an unexpected twist that will keep your guests entertained, especially those who don't fancy dancing.

To set up a casino night, you can hire dealers to run the tables and teach your guests the rules of games like blackjack, roulette, and craps. You can also provide funny money with pictures of the happy couple on it, which guests can use to bet and perhaps even win prizes. This adds an extra element of fun and means your guests won't be gambling with their own money.

A casino night fits well with an extravagant, luxe wedding theme. You could even go further and bring a full Las Vegas-style show to your reception, with singers, dancers, acrobats, and contortionists.

Of course, a casino night is just one of many entertainment options for your wedding reception. You might also consider a live band, a DJ, a photo booth, lawn games, or even a bonfire with s'mores if it's an outdoor wedding during the colder months.

Frequently asked questions

There are many fun activities to do at a wedding reception. Here are some ideas:

- Set up a photo booth

- Have a live band or DJ

- Create a personalised wedding magazine or newspaper for guests to read

- Play lawn games such as cornhole, croquet, or giant Jenga

- Set up a "Pimp Your Drinks" bar

If you're looking for something a little different, consider the following:

- Bring the glitz of Las Vegas to your wedding with singers, dancers, acrobats, or even a miniature casino

- Have a tarot card reader

- Set up a scavenger hunt

- Hire a live wedding painter

Games are a great way to keep guests entertained. Try these:

- Giant Checkers

- Archery

- Darts with a twist: attach water balloons filled with paint to a canvas

- Roulette

- A high striker

Food and drink are always a great way to keep guests happy. Try these ideas:

- Grazing tables

- A "Pimp Your Drinks" bar

- A s'mores station if you're having a bonfire

- A champagne service with servers creatively passing out prosecco

Music is a key part of any wedding reception. Here are some tips:

- If you have a DJ, ask them to play short snippets of songs to keep people excited

- Play songs from the 90s and 70s—these always go down well

- If you're not having a DJ, create a carefully curated playlist and make sure you announce key moments like the first dance and cake-cutting

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