12 Fun Ways to Entertain Your Guests at Your Wedding Reception
Your wedding reception is not just a celebration of you & your love, but also an opportunity to create lasting memories for both you and your guests. As you plan this special day, don't overlook the entertainment factor! Not all of your guests will want to be on the dance floor the whole night, and there's only so much cake you can eat in one night. Incorporating unique and trendy activities can elevate your wedding reception and keep guests entertained and having fun the entire night. Here are some ideas I've come across in the past few years of being a wedding photographer.
1: "After The Tone" Guest Book
Move beyond the traditional guest book and engage your guests with the "At The Tone" guest book. This interactive idea involves having a recording booth where guests can leave heartfelt messages for the newlyweds. Imagine listening to these messages long after the wedding – hearing the heart-warming wishes and probably a few silly messages that let you soak in the extra joy and emotion from your wedding day. Check out their website for more info! --> https://www.afterthetone.co/
2: Photo Booth
Photo booths have become a staple at weddings, and for good reason! Set up a photo booth with quirky props and a backdrop that matches your wedding theme. Not only will your guests have a blast taking pictures, but they'll also have instant keepsakes to take home. There are even some photobooth companies that offer GIFs, video messages, and even 360 video experiences (like you see celebrities do at major red carpet events!)
3: Watercolor Portraits
Hire a watercolor artist to create live portraits of your guests. This trend adds a touch of elegance and uniqueness to your reception. Guests typically get their photo taken by the artist so the artist has a reference image to work off of (and so the guest doesn't need to stand there the whole time they are being painted). Then, they can come back to the artist's table to pick up their personal watercolor portrait to take home! It's more elegant keepsake than a traditional photobooth and it supports a local artist!
4: Yard Games
This is my personal favorite pick to include during cocktail hour. These games encourage friendly competition and laughter, giving your guests a chance to unwind and connect. Typically, the couple is busy taking bridal party photos and couples portraits during cocktail hour, so it's nice to give guests fun and familiar activities to do. If you want to get super creative with it, you can paint your own cornhole boards, get custom-embroidered bean bags, or even find yard checkers/chess in your wedding colors.
5: Disposable Cameras
I might be biased as a photographer, but I LOVE disposable cameras at weddings! You can provide 1 or 2 per table to give guests something fun to do as a group and then you get filmy, nostalgic photos to look at after your wedding. This is also a great idea if you don't want your professional photographer to stay for the entire reception, but still want photos throughout the night!
6: Photo Scavenger Hunt
Create a scavenger hunt list that prompts guests to take specific photos throughout the evening. Whether it's a selfie with the newlyweds, a dance-off, or a creative shot of the dessert table, this game encourages exploration and interaction. There are a lot of pre-made scavenger hunt signs on Etsy available to download and print at home. Just pop them in a frame and put them on the tables at your reception! You can have guests take them just on their phone or add it to the table with disposable cameras.
7: POV Camera
Remember those weddings where the host would leave a disposable camera on each table? POV is today's version! You build your event, pick how many photos guests are allowed to take (like a real disposable camera has a limit), and a QR code is generated…no app needed! Check out more info about them on their website --> https://pov.camera/
FUN TIP: Combine this with the photo scavenger hunt for a truly interactive piece to your wedding reception!
8: Temporary Tattoo Artist
This is a very unique idea that I haven't seen very often, but when I do, holy cow is it FUN! A lot of artists will either come with flash designs your guests can choose from, or you can pre-set some designs that match your vibe/celebration. (Mountains for a Colorado wedding, a paw print for your dog-loving family members, a disco ball for your sparkly disco-themed reception). It's friendly for all ages (I can already see my little nephews wanting to get half a sleeve of temporary tattoos) and definitely an experience people will remember for years to come!
Don’t want to have someone there in person? You can design your own custom tempory tattoos and get them printed through Sticker Mule! https://www.stickermule.com/products/temporary-tattoos Whether you design your own or find someone on Etsy or Fiverr to make some designs, this ends up being such a fun activity and everyone will end up tatted up by the end of the night!
9: Poetry Writer
Hire a poet or writer to create custom poems for your guests. As they provide a few details about themselves, the writer crafts personalized poems that serve as heartfelt mementos. This is a lovely keepsake that is meaningful and truly something your guests will want to keep, maybe frame, and look back on for years to come.
10: Casino Tables
Bring a touch of Vegas to your reception with casino tables. Guests can try their luck at games like blackjack and roulette, adding an element of excitement and entertainment. There are companies that will come set up tables and run the games so you don't have to worry about a thing! I would recommend putting your "mini casino" in a different room right off your reception so it's easy for people to come and go, but still feels separate from your dinner tables and slow-dancing moments on the dance floor.
11: Live Band or DJ with Dance Lessons
Have a live band or DJ who not only plays great music but also offers mini-dance lessons. This is a fantastic way to get everyone on the dance floor and keep the energy high. Fan favorites tend to be line dances, throwback dances (think swing or disco, I photographed a wedding one time where everyone was taught a traditional hula dance from Polynesian dancers!), and fun group dances where people have to form a circle or 2 lines and do simple steps that create fun shapes. There are some really fun hilarious and candid moments that come from these dances!
12: Interactive Food Stations
Set up food stations where guests can customize their own dishes, like build-your-own tacos or ice cream sundaes. If your venue has a firepit or campfires, smore's is also a great idea, especially for those summer mountain weddings! It adds an interactive element to your reception and ensures everyone's taste buds are satisfied.
Incorporating these fun trends and creative ideas into your wedding reception will not only make the celebration more memorable for your guests but also add your personal touch to the event. Remember, the goal is to create an atmosphere of joy, connection, and celebration as you embark on this new chapter of your lives together.
planning a wedding, wedding reception, fun wedding ideas, wedding tips, wedding planning
