Entertaining Your Guests Beyond the Dance Floor

You want your special day to stand out from all the other weddings your family and friends attend. That’s not to say you won’t include traditional activities at your reception – music and dancing, cutting the cake and throwing your bouquet – but you want to create a signature day that everyone will remember. So how can you entertain your guests beyond the dance floor?

 

 

SHOW THEM THE TOWN

Whether you need to fill the lull between the ceremony and reception or just want to take family and friends by some of your favorite places, hire a local tour company. Many wedding destinations, such as St. Joseph, Michigan have businesses that rent horse-drawn or motorized San Francisco-style trolleys that can transport your guests. Drivers can make the tour as formal or as impromptu as you want before reaching their final stop at your reception venue.

No trolley in town? Create a treasure map, divide your guests into teams, hand them a list of clues and let the fun begin on foot, by car or rent bike surreys.  These hunts are great ways to help friends and family get to know each other before everyone reconnects at the reception.

 

 

 

 

LEARN ABOUT SOMETHING OLD OR NEW

Not everyone may choose to dance, so consider a reception venue such as a museum or art gallery that offers built-in entertainment. Some venues, like Shadowland on Silver Beach in St. Joseph, Michigan offer a separate ballroom for meals and dancing and across the boardwalk, the Silver Beach Amusement Park Museum with interactive historical exhibits and Curious Kids’ Discovery Zone with science and cultural activities that will fascinate all ages.

 

 

 

 

GIVE A CAROUSEL A WHIRL

Other venues, including Shadowland, offer a nearby carousel. The colorful menagerie of carved figures provides great photo opportunities for the bridal party, but it’s also fun for guests to find free ride tokens at each place setting. Remember, most carousels require a professional photographer’s fee and they ask that you inform them in advance that you’ll be taking photos. Some, such as Silver Beach Carousel, will let you rent the carousel so your guests can take unlimited rides.

 

 

CREATE ONE-OF-A-KIND PHOTO FAVORS

Another popular off-the-dance-floor trend is to rent a photo booth so your guests can create memories for you and themselves. You can personalize the shots with a backdrop and props that fit your wedding theme. Guests can keep their strip of personal photos and you can have the duplicate photo strips placed in an album to be taken with you at the end of the evening.  It’s a great way to get all ages laughing … not only during the wedding, but every time you look through the photos in the years to come.

 

 

ADD UNEXPECTED FLAVOR TO YOUR DAY

What says fun faster than the aroma of fresh buttered popcorn or fluffy cotton candy? Rent machines that create affordable, easy-to-serve snacks to take the edge off guests’ hunger before meals are served. Offer wine or beer tasting stations and let guests guess the newlywed’s favorite vintage or brew. Or bring in a gelato or ice cream cart to complement or replace the cake or cupcake tower.

 

 

 

MAKE THE CHILDREN ON YOUR GUEST LIST FEEL SPECIAL

Some venues cater better than others to the children in your wedding party or on your guest list. Inquire whether your site has a separate room where you can serve “kid-friendly” foods and provide coloring activities, puzzles, movies or games. Your adult guests may enjoy having a room where they can play board or card games, too, or just catch up with each other without having to shout over your band or DJ.

 

 

 

 

TAKE IT OUTSIDE

Holding your wedding reception near a natural setting such as a river, beach or park opens the door to outside entertainment all year round. Plan a candlelight stroll along the river or invite guests to join you for a sunset sing-along on the beach. Many parks offer seasonal options such as ice skate rentals, nature trails, rowboat rentals, fire pits or volleyball nets that broaden your guests’ choices.

Shadowland on Silver Beach offers the Whirlpool Compass Fountain across the street.  During warm weather the lights create a romantic water display at night and during the day you can give guests beach balls to toss beneath the jets of water that fall in a cool mist.

 

 

 

 

TIME YOUR ENTERTAINMENT

When planning your entertainment, create natural transitions so your guests are available when food is served or for special moments such as your first dance. And although you will be busy visiting with your guests, take time to enjoy the entertainment. After all, this day is for making happy memories for both of you, too!