8 Ways to Entertain at Your Reception

Lately, I have been reading a lot about the different forms of entertainment you can add to your wedding reception to entertain your guests. At first, I was a little indignant by the suggestion—I mean, when did it become not enough to provide music, alcohol and food? What additional entertainment elements could you possibly need? For the bride on a budget, I want to instill to you the promise that a reception dance, a hosted bar and dinner are MORE than enough to satisfy your guests. They really aren't looking for anything beyond that, so please, breathe.

But for those who love to wow the crowd and have the budget to do it...

Live-Action Food Stations

There's a reason why hibachi grills, cooking classes and cooking shows are popular; people find entertainment in seeing how their food is prepared. Live-action food stations are a great way to offer an interactive experience for your wedding guests. Some of our favorite ideas include pasta stations, meat carving stations, stir fry stations, omelet stations, Quesadilla stations and sushi rolling stations.

Hire a Dance Instructor

There is often a brief time gap where the entire wedding party is taking photos or bar hopping. This is usually during the reception's social hour. Let guests loosen up and prepare for reception festivities by offering a hosted bar and bringing in a dance instructor! Depending on your guest list, consider ballroom dancing, salsa, belly dancing or hip hop!

On-Site Painter

Did you know you can hire an artist to paint candid scenes from your wedding? Not only does it make for a special gift, but it doubles as entertainment as guests can watch your wedding come to life on canvas. Hiring a caricature or cartoonist for your wedding to paint guests is also a fun way to incorporate this trend.

Outdoor Games

This is especially ideal for brides planning an outdoor wedding or barn wedding. Your guests will love the opportunity to wander around your venue's grounds, drink in hand, while engaging in a little friendly competition amongst one another. Crowd favorites include the traditional corn hole toss, ladder golf, life-size Jenga, horseshoes, bocce ball and lawn bowling. This is also one entertainment possibility that doesn't cost you much!

Gaming Tables

Most rental companies offer gaming tables like Russian Roulette wheels, Blackjack tables, and poker equipment. You can also hire dealers from companies or on Craigslist to provide the entertainment for your wedding guests. Instead of playing with real money, consider handing out drink tickets that guests can gamble with.

Food Trucks

Just when your guests thought the wedding festivities were winding down, surprise them with a late-night snack delivered off of a food truck! Think ice cream, tacos, pizzas, or empanadas!

PHOTO BOOTHS/VIDEO BOOTHS

Photo booths have come a long ways in recent years. Now you can customize backgrounds, make use of fun props, and print the photos immediately or hashtag them with wedding apps! And, you can take it a step further by hiring a videography company that offers video confessional booths. Guests can lock themselves in the booth to record a brief, on-screen message for you. Post your favorites on social media using your wedding hashtag or upload all of them to your wedding website for guests to look back and laugh! (We're willing to bet they get more entertaining as the night goes on!)

Singing Waiters

Similar to the flash mob phenomenon, singing waiters are incognito entertainers milling about your reception, serving guests while breaking out into random song. You can hire professionals or consider hiring friends or family if they have a good voice!

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