Everyone wants their wedding to be the talk of the town for weeks, and with some luck, even months after the save-the-date has passed. And while excellent food, great company, and music that keeps everyone on the dancefloor all night will definitely make your wedding reception one for the books, there are some creative activities that will have your guests hoping the night never ends! Whether you’re planning a daytime wedding, outdoor reception, or destination venue, these unique and engaging entertainment tips are perfect for any location and will add a special, memorable twist to your big day.
Outdoor games for everyone
Grab a drink and some teammates and get ready to have some fun! If your wedding reception is outdoors, fun games for groups can be easily set up that allow your guests to enjoy some playful entertainment. Turn a grassy patch into a playing field and give your guests the chance to socialize and enjoy the outdoors and each other’s company. Corn hole is a popular, super simple game that is easy to set up and not too challenging to master. Croquet is also a classic game that is enjoyable for all ages. Jumbo-sized board games like Jenga or Connect Four can be played indoors or outdoors and are crowd-pleasers. Games like these are great for guests who want to mingle with their friends, explore the wedding’s venue, and keep the party going.
Photo Credit: Paperlily Photography
Photo Credit: Marisa Nicole
Social lounging corners
For a more relaxing and mellow activity at your wedding, a fire pit or lounge area is a great way to keep guests socializing. Whether they want to take a break from the dance floor or just chat with a favorite relative, lounge areas are great for guests. Just a simple couch or a few comfy chairs make for a perfect place for guests to sit back, chat, and enjoy their delicious cocktails. You can even add a fun activity to the lounge area like a s’mores bar or trendy hot cocoa bar to keep people cozy during the evening.
Photo Credit: Tamiz Photography
Fun with photo booths
This entertaining idea is one of our favorites and becoming a lovable, popular trend and with so many new apps and digital photography available, it’s easy! All you need is a corner of your venue that you can decorate to create your own photo booth. Provide silly props, crazy costumes, and wacky masks that your guests can get goofy with! And don’t worry, you won’t need to rent a photographer or giant photo booth for this fun activity – with a tripod and self-timed camera ready, guests can snap pictures themselves. Even better, all these hilarious moments can be shared to Instagram or Facebook instantly by using your own wedding hashtag! This is a fabulous idea so you can have even more captured memories to go into your DIY wedding album.
Photo Credit: Nick Leung Photography
Photo Credit: Social Light
The kids only table
If you know you’re going to have some youngsters running around at your wedding, organizing a kids’ activity table is a must! Younger wedding guests sometimes need a little extra entertainment and giving them their own hangout makes it easy for them to stay busy and out of trouble. Simple card games, coloring books, art projects, or even just a box of crayons on paper tablecloths create the perfect kids’ corner. This way, parents who need a break (or a drink) can send their children running to the kids’ table to frolic with friends.
Photo Credit: Nick Leung Photography
Coaster cards of well wishes
Encourage your guests to share a sentimental moment and use this simple, DIY decoration tip for your wedding tables. When your guests sit down to enjoy dinner, have their tables adorned with words of wisdom coaster cards. The idea is that guests can write their personal predictions or advice for the happy couple on their coasters during dinner. This method is better than other traditional guestbooks or advice cards because they are presented to the guests while they are already seated and ready to write (instead of depending on guests to find and complete them on their own, which can be tricky). If you’re feeling a bit more rustic or eco-friendly, you can have small stones on the table as decorations that can also be written on.
Photo Credit: Wedding Reception Ideas
It truly takes a lot of time and hard work to make your wedding become as perfect as you imagine it to be. But with these creative activity ideas, you can rest assured that your guests will have a great time and consider your epic wedding day as the one to beat! No matter the season or setting of your wedding, incorporate one or a few of these entertainment tips to keep the good times rolling.
