Organizing a wedding is a stressful, yet enjoyable task every married couple in the world has to go through, whether they enjoy a wedding reception or not. It’s the most special day of our lives and a chance to spend some quality time with our friends and family. However, if you have a ton of guests, you need to think long and hard about the sort of entertainment you’re going to offer them because not everyone will be willing to dance all night long. You should surprise them, make them feel welcomed and do whatever you can to turn this day into an occasion your invitees will remember for the rest of their lives. If you too want to find great ways to entertain your guests, here are a few ideas you should explore.
Cocktail bar
Let’s face it – people love drinking at weddings! A drink or two will make them happier, more relaxed, and ready to party till 6 AM, so give them something to keep them going. Setting up a cocktail bar is neither hard nor expensive and all you need to do is find someone who can prepare some of the most popular wedding cocktails – from champagne-based drinks to margaritas and mojitos, these cocktails will set the mood of your wedding and turn your guests into party animals in no time!
Food station
Although most respectable places where you could host a wedding reception offer a rich menu, this might not be enough for some brides and grooms. That’s why you should explore the idea of a food station and a chef who will prepare food right in front of your guests. Luckily, this doesn’t have to be overly expensive either – just find a couple of friends who are willing to use their cooking skills, get a few reliable cooktops and quality Whirlpool freezers perfect for preparing different kinds of food, and you’re good to go! Some of the dishes you could offer your attendees are salmon fillets, burritos, deep-fried chicken, and steaks, and everyone will be happy to try some of these recipes right away.
Karaoke
Most people spend a ton of money on finding the right music for their wedding and while a proper live band is worth every penny, you might also consider including some karaoke as well. This is a fun way to pass the time and a chance for your guests to show off their singing abilities – no matter how skillful they are, everyone’s surely going to have some fun. All you need to do is find a proper karaoke machine, someone willing to operate it, and a stage for all those prospective singers. One additional tip: before they grab the mic, show them the cocktail bar – that’s the right way to get the party started!
Photo booth
This is another inexpensive, yet highly effective and entertaining idea that both kids and adults love – taking a bunch of photos using funny props and colorful backgrounds is an amazing way to get everyone involved in the party and get dozens of wonderful snapshots you’ll enjoy looking at in the future. Moreover, you can set up a wedding book where your guests can post those pics and leave messages, and that’s another valuable gift you’ll cherish after the ceremony. Finally, you can improvise a photo booth on your own and still get a ton of hilarious pictures without having to break the bank.
Gaming zone
If lots of your friends have kids, you need to find a way to entertain them because no matter how fun you think weddings are, children are likely to get bored quite quickly. That’s why you might want to set up a gaming zone and offer them a chance to play table tennis, air hockey, and even video games. This may sound like quite a strange idea at first and something that’s not suitable for a wedding, but it’s actually a win-win situation for everyone. This way, the kids will be happy and entertained in their comfort zone, while the parents are free to enjoy the reception without having to watch over their children all the time.
Other ideas
In order to make sure your wedding is the one your guests will talk about in the years to come, you should also consider a few additional ideas that will spark people’s interests: from hiring impersonators, magicians, and dance instructors, to starting dance-offs and organizing amazing fireworks at midnight. Ultimately, don’t forget wedding favors for your guests – anything from personalized marshmallows or mini succulents will do the trick and show them that you value their presence and appreciate that they’ve come to share your special day. These things aren’t hard to set up, but each of these ideas will surely make your wedding day extra special and help you remember it for the rest of your life.
Written by: Emma Joyce