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Best Wedding Entertainment Ideas for An Extra Fun Reception

Published Dec 2022

Planning a wedding is no easy task. From choosing the perfect venue to finding the most delicious cake, there are so many decisions to make. But one aspect of your special day that you definitely don’t want to overlook is the wedding entertainment. After all, what’s a wedding reception without some fun and excitement? To help you make your wedding reception truly memorable, I’ve compiled a list of the 10 best wedding entertainment ideas. So, let’s dive in!

A lively wedding reception at Stallingborough Grange features a bride in a white lace dress as guests dance with neon glow sticks. One woman sports white heart-shaped sunglasses. The venue, adorned with string lights and a chandelier, buzzes with joy as guests snap photos and revel in the celebration. © Aimee Lince Photography - Wedding photographer in Lincolnshire, Yorkshire & Nottinghamshire

The Most Popular Forms of Wedding Entertainment

1) Live music

A person wearing glasses and a plaid suit provides captivating wedding entertainment, singing passionately into a microphone while playing an acoustic guitar. They stand near a beige wall, with natural light streaming through a glass door to the right. A microphone stand is visible in front of them. © Aimee Lince Photography - Wedding photographer in Lincolnshire, Yorkshire & Nottinghamshire

There’s nothing quite like the energy and excitement of a live band or musician. Whether you’re into rock, jazz, or pop, hiring a live band or solo musician will have your guests dancing the night away. Plus, it adds a touch of sophistication and class to your reception.

2) Photo booth

Give your guests a chance to capture fun and silly moments with a photo booth. It’s a great way to create lasting memories and provide entertainment for everyone. You can even customize the photo booth with props and backdrops that match your wedding theme.

3) Secret singing waiters

In the elegant setting of Rudding Park, a man in a black vest, white shirt, and purple tie kneels on the floor passionately singing into a microphone. Empty chairs and round tables await guests while people stand and clap in the background, infusing this Harrogate venue with a lively atmosphere. © Aimee Lince Photography - Wedding photographer in Lincolnshire, Yorkshire & Nottinghamshire

Why not surprise your guests with a professional singing waiter/s performance? Whether it’s a choreographed set with the newlyweds or a group of talented singers, it’s sure to leave your guests in awe. Plus, it’s a great way to kickstart the singing and dancing and get everyone in the mood to boogie.

4) Magician

Two men stand and interact at a festive indoor gathering. One man in a black suit smiles, pointing towards the other man holding a smartphone in a tweed vest. Seated guests with colorful hats and drinks watch them, enjoying the wedding entertainment under warm lights by the window. © Aimee Lince Photography - Wedding photographer in Lincolnshire, Yorkshire & Nottinghamshire

Add a touch of magic to your wedding reception with a magician. From mind-blowing card tricks to awe-inspiring illusions, a magician will keep your guests entertained and wondering, “How did they do that?” It’s a unique and interactive form of entertainment that will leave a lasting impression.

5) Dancefloor props

Two men in beige suits energetically dance; one plays an inflatable saxophone. They are surrounded by other guests in formal attire at a lively indoor event with brick walls and string lights. People are chatting and enjoying the festive atmosphere. © Aimee Lince Photography

Simple but effective! Guests will love these additions to the dancefloor (and they cause some cracking photos!)

Feeling inspired?

I post lots of helpful wedding-based tips and guidance that could help and inspire you on your way to “I do.” I also post Real Wedding Stories as often as I can!

6) Interactive games

A smiling young person wearing glasses and a light gray suit with a pink tie concentrates on a hand loop game at an outdoor event. They're holding a loop tool, guiding it through a bent wire maze. A drink with a straw is in their other hand. Blurred greenery and people in the background. © Aimee Lince Photography at Scrivelsby Walled Garden

Keep your guests entertained with interactive games. From giant Jenga, to skittles to noughts & crosses; there are plenty of options to choose from. These games provide a fun and relaxed atmosphere where guests can mingle and have a great time.

It’s important to include people with mobility issues or disabilities in the festivities. Having a game station is a great way to ensure everyone feels entertained and can join in with the available activities! For more ideas like this, please see my Accessible Wedding Entertainment article.

7) Fireworks or sparklers

A large wedding party gathers outdoors at night, holding lit sparklers. The bride in a white gown and the groom in a suit stand smiling at the center. Guests of all ages surround them, dressed in colorful outfits, celebrating under a dark, tree-lined backdrop—a perfect scene for stunning wedding photos. © Aimee Lince Photography

Add a touch of magic and romance to your wedding reception with a fireworks display. It’s a breathtaking spectacle that will leave your guests in awe. Plus, it’s the perfect way to end the night and create a lasting memory.

8) Food and drink stations

A candy cart displays various colorful sweets in glass jars on a white wooden stand. There are lollipops, assorted gummies, marshmallows, and candy sticks. A heart decoration is visible at the top, and a red fire alarm is on the wall in the background. © Aimee Lince Photography

Food and drink stations not only provide sustenance for your guests but also serve as a form of entertainment. From a DIY cocktail bar to a make-your-own pizza station, these interactive stations will keep your guests engaged and satisfied throughout the night.

9) Newlywed Shoe Game

A bride and groom sit back-to-back on chairs, each holding one shoe in the air, adding a touch of wedding entertainment in the brightly lit room with ornate wallpaper. A woman in a yellow dress stands to the right, speaking into a microphone. Behind them are large speakers and a DJ booth with colorful lights. © Aimee Lince Photography - Wedding photographer in Lincolnshire, Yorkshire & Nottinghamshire

You sit back to back on the dancefloor, each of you holding one of your own shoes and one of your partners. You use the shoes to silently answer the questions and see how well you match as a couple! It’s a great laugh for your guests!

10) Photo Dash Game

At a Brackenborough Hotel wedding, the bride and groom sit laughing on a black and white checkered floor. Behind them, two men pose playfully—one in a white shirt and boxers, the other revealing his bare chest. A table with white cloths and decor completes the whimsical scene. © Aimee Lince Photography

Certain photographers (such as myself!) will offer to play a photo dash game; these are absolutely hysterical and really make for some (sometimes quite literally) cracking, reception photos.

Remember, your wedding reception is a celebration of love and happiness. By incorporating these entertainment ideas into your special day, you’ll create an unforgettable experience for both you and your guests. So, go ahead and let the fun begin!

I really hope this helped!

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with love

with love

AIMEE

 

Aimee is an award-winning North East Lincolnshire based wedding photographer who focuses on authentic and naturally beautiful moments.

Aimee not only captures genuine and meaningful moments for her clients to treasure forever, but also helps, supports and advises her couples with the wedding planning process from the moment they book and beyond their wedding days.

with love

AIMEE

A woman with shoulder-length dark hair, wearing a black top, is seated against a gray background. She is slightly smiling and resting her chin on her hand while looking to the side, conveying a thoughtful expression, like she's pondering ideas for my blog. © Aimee Lince Photography

Aimee is an award-winning North East Lincolnshire based wedding photographer who focuses on authentic and naturally beautiful moments.

Aimee not only captures genuine and meaningful moments for her clients to treasure forever, but also helps, supports and advises her couples with the wedding planning process from the moment they book and beyond their wedding days.

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Watercolor illustration of a green plant sprig with multiple elongated leaves on a slender stem. The leaves vary in shade, giving a sense of depth and texture. The overall appearance is delicate and artistic. © Aimee Lince Photography