Let’s Talk About All The Possible Wedding Entertainment Ideas!
Weddings don’t have to follow the same structure, you can make them personal and unique to you. Let’s face it when you pass the age of 21, birthdays, Christmases and events, in general, get really rubbish. So take the opportunity to have fun at your wedding as if it were a kid’s birthday party! If a giant bouncy castle or crazy golf course sounds up your street then go for it!
Use the day to surround yourself with things you love and you and your wedding guests will have a great time.
Fun Wedding Photography
I’m Jenna, a wedding photographer based in Yorkshire. I love capturing fun and colourful wedding photos!
You can see my work throughout this page. If you’d like to see more, check out my Portfolio or find out more about my style of wedding photography on my Info & FAQs page.
Why Wedding Entertainment Should Be A Priority
Maybe you’re reading this and wondering if you really need to provide entertainment for your guests. Surely it’s not that important. All your wedding guests will happily entertain themselves at the bar, won’t they?
Here are a few reasons I think wedding entertainment should be high on your priority list.
A Better Experience for Your Guests
Weddings follow a typical structure which most of your guests will know and understand if they’ve been to any before. In order to make a lasting impression, why not do something out of the ordinary and ensure your guests leave with the best memories possible.
Your friends and family will be talking about your wedding and the entertainment for years to come!
Wedding Reception Entertainment Brings People Together
Your invited guests may know you as a couple, but chances are they won’t know many other wedding guests unless they’re family. Providing entertainment is a fun way to bring groups of people together that may not have spoken otherwise. It gives guests something in common to chat about during the wedding reception, and a way for people to meet, especially if you’re organising some form of team game.
Get Fun and Unique Wedding Photos
My couples always say they love natural photos of their guests smiling and laughing together. If you really want to ensure those kinds of photos, then your guests will need something to laugh about!
Having photographed lots of different weddings over the years, I can safely say that entertainment makes a big difference to the feel of your wedding day and that always comes across in your wedding photos.
You will get better quality natural photos of your loved ones when they have something to focus their attention on. So if you want funny photos from your wedding having some form of entertainment is a must.
Wedding entertainment brings out individual personalities and allows me to capture that on camera, from the competitive Aunt to the cousin who cheats, and the grandma who’s having the best time learning how to play beer pong.
So, if you want super fun wedding photos full of personality, be sure to check out all the wedding entertainment ideas I’ve listed below.
Unique Wedding Entertainment Ideas
If you’re planning a relaxed laid-back wedding day, but want to have some fun things for your guests to do during the reception, here are some awesome wedding entertainment ideas for you to consider. No matter what kind of wedding day you’re planning, or what budget you’re working to, there will be something that’s perfect for you.
Ideas for Outdoor Wedding Entertainment
If you’re planning a summer wedding and your wedding venue has lots of outside space then these ideas might be perfect for you! Check out all these fun ways to keep guests entertained.
If your wedding guests need a little bit of motivation to play, alcohol-based prizes for winners will probably help you out there.
Garden/Lawn Games
Giant Jenga – Probably the most common form of wedding reception entertainment because it’s easy to get hold of and everyone knows how to play.
Tug of War – Make things interesting and pitch your family against your partners in a giant tug of war!
Connect Four – Another favourite. I love using this game to frame other wedding guests!
Ring Toss – This can be as DIY as you like!
Ball in a Bucket/Corn Hole – Again another easy DIY garden game.
Skittles – There are companies that hire out whole sets of garden games including the ones above. If you’re looking for a simple wedding entertainment idea that won’t stretch your budget, this is a great option.
Space Hopper Race – A guaranteed laugh, I dare you not to have a fun wedding involving these bad boys.
Sack Race – Throwing it right back to sports day with this one.
Hula Hoop – Another way to get some friendly competition and fun photos!
Twister – Great fun for your more adventurous guests
Croquet – Croquet is a popular choice for wedding entertainment in the summer months
Frisbee – Depending on your reception space you may or may not lose your frisbee after a few gos.
Badminton – You’ll need a fair amount of space to pitch a net for this one, but the photos are priceless.
Hired Entertainment Ideas
Crazy Golf – A great event for your guests as there is usually a leaderboard involved! Check out Crazy 9 Golf for hire in Yorkshire.
Bouncy Castle – Great for children and big kids to keep them occupied!
Axe Throwing – A more unique form of wedding reception entertainment! I’d love to see axe throwing at more weddings as it was so much fun.
Marching Band (Brass band or Mariachi band) – This is ideal if you’re travelling from one venue to another on foot. It keeps everyone together and gives them an experience they’ll never forget! Back Chat Brass are awesome and Yorkshire based!
Indoor Wedding Entertainment Ideas
Perfect if you’re having a winter wedding or don’t have much outside space.
Table Games
Cards Against Humanity – A great game, though maybe not suitable for older guests.
Exploding Kittens – A similar silly card game.
Buckeroo – A great way to build the tension between guests at a table!
Check out your local charity shops where you’ll find a whole bunch of board games, card games and other inexpensive ways to entertain your guests.
Arcade Style Games
Beer Pong (Other beverages are available) – You can play beer pong inside or outside. You can even buy personalised tables to use and keep them for the future.
Table football – Available to hire
Life-size arcade machines – Available to hire
Shuffleboard – So much fun and surprisingly addictive, you can hire shuffleboard tables if you have the space in your wedding venue.
Wedding Entertainment Ideas Perfect for the Drinks Reception
There isn’t always a lot of time in the drinks reception so these ideas are perfect to keep your guests entertained during canapes whilst you’re having your portraits and family photos taken.
A live painter or caricaturist – Something your wedding guests get to take away with them after the wedding.
Magician – This is a great wedding entertainment idea for the drinks reception as they go from one bubble of guests to the next with their tricks.
Animal Visitors – Always a winner! I’ve seen owls, llamas, dogs, you name it! The photo below is when Owl Adventures came to visit.
Wedding Reception Entertainment
Make your guests feel like part of something special with these fun wedding entertainment ideas they’ll absolutely love!
Mini Casino – Another great more unusual form of entertainment.
Personalised Pub Quiz – This is a great alternative if you’re not planning on having speeches. It inspires teamwork and helps your guests interact with each other.
Singing Waiters – A great surprise for guests. Everyone will be up on their chairs waving napkins around before you know it. The Undercover Waiters are the best of the best in Yorkshire.
Photo Booth – A photo booth is always a good laugh as guests will love dressing up and using the props. It works really well if you have a guestbook next to it so people can sign next to their photo. Alternatively, they can take the photos away as a memento of the day. Check out Birdie Photobooth for a unique experience!
Video Games – The possibilities are endless! One of my couples played guitar hero at their wedding reception which was a lot of fun to capture.
Piñata – this makes a great wedding cake alternative and comes with the added bonus of being able to hit something with a really big stick. What’s not to love?
Fireworks – A big spectacle and a great way to send off your guests at the end of the evening wedding reception.
Dance Floor Entertainment Ideas
First Dance Bingo – Write down a list of songs and let your guests place their bets as to which one you’re having your first dance to. The winner gets a prize along with bragging rights.
Live Band/Musician – If you want a great party atmosphere at your evening wedding reception then live music is the way to go. Check out The Epics Band in Yorkshire.
The Shoe Game – Sit back to back with your partner on the dance floor and answer questions starting with ‘Who is more likely to…’ Hold your shoe up if it’s you, or hold your partner’s shoe up if it’s them. Matching answers win points!
Drag Performers – A drag performance is a slightly more unique option and one your guests won’t forget in a hurry!
Silent Disco – A silent disco is the perfect option if you have a lot of older guests present or if you want people to be able to chat later in the evening without loud music overpowering them from the dance floor.
Limbo – Drum up some healthy competition with your rowdy bunch of friends and do the limbo on the dance floor! No equipment is required, just grab someone’s belt!
Ceilidh Dance – Always a fun way of getting people up and on the dance floor as lots of audience participation is required.
Wedding Entertainment is Must Have on Your Wedding Day
I hope you found these wedding entertainment ideas helpful! Wedding entertainment can have a hugely positive impact on your and your guest’s wedding day experience. Now go ahead and plan the most fun wedding ever!