Weddings | How to entertain your evening guests
The venue’s booked and colour scheme chosen. You’ve decided on the canapes and drinks, selected the menu for the wedding breakfast. Your wedding day celebrations are all sorted.
But hang on a minute, what about the evening ‘do’?
Planning your wedding day is exhausting. It’s your main topic of conversation, and there’s such a sense of achievement and relief when you’ve nailed at least one part of it!
Organising the day time part of your wedding is one thing, what about when the extra 50 evening guests turn up to help you celebrate – how are you going to entertain them?
Wedding receptions often go in peaks and troughs. As your guests arrive they are greeted with a reception drink, usually Prosecco, Kir Royale, or in the height of summer maybe a Pimms. They fall on the canapes as if they haven’t eaten in weeks, and there’s a happy hum of conversation as relatives catch up and introductions are made.
After the photographer has taken what seems like a zillion photographs of you and your nearest and dearest, and your guests are so hungry they’re almost chewing their arms off, thankfully, it’s time for the wedding breakfast. Yes, proper food is about to be served.
After the speeches, there’s sometimes a strange lull in the day. People don’t know what comes next, is it coffee or is it more alcohol? Children are fractious, your Nan and Grandad think 6.30pm is far too late to be out, and Auntie Doris is worried about her dog who’s been left in the kitchen on his own all day.
But your tribe is getting ready to party and throw some shapes on the dance floor and another 50 people are arriving, expecting to be entertained!
So what have you booked for your evening reception?
It goes without saying that you will have secured a DJ or favourite local band to put your own stamp on what is your very special evening. The music is often one of the main things people remember about a wedding.
After enjoying your hospitality, many of your daytime guest will be fuelled by alcohol, and up for some fun. Top of your list could be a photo booth hire, complete with silly hats, fake moustaches, wigs and sunglasses worthy of an Elton John tribute act.
Another great wedding reception entertainment idea is a Casino. Your guests can enjoy Roulette, Black Jack or Poker, complete with a glamourous croupier. It’s a great way to bridge the gap between the end of your wedding breakfast, and the beginning of your evening reception, and also allows your evening guest to participate in the fun.
There are plenty of ways to ensure your wedding is a day, and night, for everyone to remember for all the right reasons, it just takes a bit (more) planning!
*This is a collaborative post.
