Aside from the beautiful bride and brilliant groom, the most important part of a successful wedding reception is the entertainers. Think of all the weddings you have been to throughout your life. Weren’t the funniest celebrations the ones with the liveliest music, plenty of food and drink, and an unexpected twist?
Wedding entertainment has come a long way since your mom planned her special day. Couples have limitless options when it comes to keeping those smiles on their guests’ faces. How do you decide what to choose? It depends on the type of wedding you have.
Some brides give their wedding a theme, such as “Hollywood glamour” or “garden party.” Having a theme makes it easier to select your wedding entertainment as you can group by type. For example, for a Hollywood theme, have “paparazzi” photographers take pictures of guests as they enter the reception on a red carpet, set up an old-fashioned popcorn machine, or hire Big Band-style musicians. Keep guests entertained at an outdoor garden wedding with lawn games like croquet and horseshoes. A carnival theme is brought to life with the addition of a cotton candy machine and fire jugglers and wizards.
If you don’t have a theme, match your wedding entertainment to your location or family tastes. A zydeco band is perfect for a southern wedding, while a luau with a hula and fire show is a perfect match for a South Pacific beach wedding. If your family heritage is Mexican, consider a mariachi band. Scottish brides and grooms often have a bagpiper ready as they leave the ceremony.
Remember that your goal is to keep guests engaged while allowing them to enjoy each other’s company. Many couples have slideshows at their receptions, but make the mistake of going on too long. Your guests will quickly draw hundreds of photos of you and your loved one, so keep it to no more than ten minutes. Wedding entertainment should be fun for others, not just the happy couple and their parents.
Your main focus when it comes to wedding entertainment should be music. Whether you’re there just for background noise or planning a wild dance party, your guests will be listening to your music for hours. Plan your other live entertainment around band breaks, or arrange for the DJ to step aside to present any special entertainment.
Eliminate two items from your wedding checklist and save a few bucks by combining wedding entertainment with favors. A photo booth with fun props like hats and stick-on mustaches lets guests have fun and gives them a fun taste of your special day. A silhouette cutter is fascinating to look at and offers guests a beautiful piece of art.
Save your “big bang” for an hour or so before the end of the reception, just as things start to settle down but before your guests start to leave. A dramatic fire show is an exciting and moving way to entertain wedding guests and send off the happy couple.
Regardless of what you choose, always remember to sign a contract that protects your interests and details each and every one of the charges, in addition to verifying that the company you are hiring has all the corresponding permits and insurance. The peace of mind you will gain will allow you to fully enjoy your wedding entertainment!