While your wedding ceremony is both special and essentially (it’s when you’ll actually get married!), the reception is probably what you and your guests are most looking forward to—who doesn’t want to eat, drink and dance? The best celebrations incorporate personal, fun and unique touches to keep guests smiling and talking about it long after the last dance. Most people believe that wedding planning can be very stressful but the truth still remains that we don’t fail because we plan to, but because we failed to plan.
Wedding entertainment doesn’t need to be overwhelming or intimidating. Working with the right entertainment company helps immensely. These businesses specialize in keeping people happy and engaged. So before you start stressing, trying to brainstorm something new and novel, talk to your production team, they’ll probably have plenty of suggestions.
Here’s a few ideas for giving guests a night to remember…
- Thoughtful seating arrangements:
It sounds obvious, but don’t discount the importance of a solid seating arrangement. Place guests with people they’ll know and get along with. It might seem like a great idea to play matchmaker, or force your guests to sit with strangers to make new friends—but at the end of the day, they’re there for you, and to catch up with their own far-flung pals. Put another way, a well-thought-out seating chart leads to great conversation, which leads to a great dance party, which leads to an unforgettable night. So seat your teen cousins with other kids their age and let your college friends sit together. Communal seating is also popular, especially if you’re going for a farmhouse or rustic atmosphere. Also, why not change the seating style from formal straight rows and have the chairs set in a circular pattern around you, it can not only make you more visible to all the guests but make everyone feel more included, and the whole ceremony more intimate.
- First Impressions Matter:
Imagine surprising every one of your guests by making your first entrance as a couple in a completely unexpected way. Might we suggest a segway? It sure will have everyone talking. PartyMaster Entertainment LLC out of Cheltenham, PA offers a pair that couples can use. President and Entertainer at PartyMaster Entertainment, Kyle Venit, said these ride-ons are usually popular with bar/bat mitzvahs, but there’s no reason why a couple couldn’t indulge.
All eyes will be on you during your first dance—it’s the perfect opportunity to wow your guests with a fun surprise. Start with a romantic dance to “At Last,” or another classic first dance song, then suddenly switch gears to an energetic Latin dance or break it down to a Madonna pop song. For an amazing visual, Venit likes to suggest to couples a “walking on the clouds” effect. “We cloud up the floor, it’s like walking into heaven.”
3. Plan Unexpected Entertainment:
Sometimes the best parts of reception are what guests don’t see coming. Surprise your loved ones with unexpected entertainment during the cocktail hour or reception, like a magician, mariachi band, aerialists or a salsa dancer. Kyle Venit says adding a Photo Booth or Green Screen Photo Favors is an easy way to keep guests entertained. Everyone knows the Photo Booth but maybe something a little different such as Green Screen Photo Favors, you stand in front of the green screen with a couple hundred backgrounds to choose from. Maybe I want to be at the Phillies stadium or stand with Batman, I can choose that with just a click. Each guest can get the photos printed out and have them sent to them via email or text as well.
4. Find a DJ Who Gets You:
Okay, this is a little more obvious, but we have to mention it because music is a major reception fun factor and has a lot to do with how long your guests will stay. The last thing you want to see is your dance floor clear out when the DJ plays obscure songs that are hard to dance to. Talk to your DJ about your do-not-play list upfront.
5. Plan a Fun Surprise:
Here’s a secret for you: Keep guests celebrating by planning a surprise for the end of the night that everyone can look forward to. You and your new spouse can perform a song with the band for the last dance or prep a memorable reception getaway, like a fireworks send-off. “We do indoor fireworks for couples that want a big impressive display. It really does add that wow factor to any reception.”
