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Beginner October 2021

How to keep guests entertained all afternoon

ExpensiveRedHair47253, 24 May, 2019 at 17:06 Posted on Planning 0 1

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Hi all,

We're having our ceremony, breakfast and evening reception all in one hotel (various different rooms/areas), in October next year.

Frustratingly we could only get a ceremony slot for 12noon or 2.30pm, we choose 12noon but now I'm worrying how we're going to keep our guests entertained throughout the afternoon! The evening reception is scheduled to start at 6pm but that feels a bit early and we're probably going to have to pay more for extended DJ time etc.

Has anyone come across any fun ways of keeping people entertained? There'll only be about 40 people during the day, and we'll mostly be inside but if the weather is nice there is an outdoor terrace.

Thanks!

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Latest activity by Mintyslippers, 29 May, 2019 at 12:21

Expert September 2019
Have_you_met_Mrs_Jones2019 · 28 May, 2019 at 11:45
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Hey! I'm a midday bride too, and I was quite worried about this! However, I'm a lot more relaxed now..

Are you having a sit down meal? That usually takes a up a good couple of hours, particularly when followed by speeches. Then there is generally a bit of time beforehand when you guys go off and have photos done, and a bit of time after speeches and before the reception starts.

Because it's broken up that way, you'll find that your guests will probably quite enjoy just chatting and mingling in between themselves, looking at your decorations and writing in guestbooks.

We're having scones instead of canapes before the meal, so hopefully this will be like an afternoon tea thing whilst we do our photos. We also have some outdoor games - giant jenga and connect 4 and such. If you're indoors, you could still set up a 'games corner' for downtime?

You could also get a magician or caricaturist if you have budget for that? They're great fun!

But yeah, bottom line is don't panic, as a guest it's often quite nice to have a bit of down time. As long as the bar is open, they'll be fine! X
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Mintyslippers · 29 May, 2019 at 12:21
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How to keep them entertained? You don't actually have to.

My advice is have a timetable of the day somewhere. On a foamboard or on the back of order of service. This is my no1 tip for any wedding.

While you know exactly what is happening and when, very often your guests don't. They have not got a clue what you've got planned so tell them. They can then decide if they have time to go off and get changed or freshen up. Go and get a snack or do that thing they meant to do. Otherwise they hang around, waiting for the next announcement.

By keeping them informed they can manage their own time.

For anyone yet to set their times my advice is to compress the day as much as possible and start late. Most wedding days have around 4 hours of 'mingle' time, or cocktail hour(s). Typically you have the gap after the ceremony and another one after the meal.

A civil ceremony is around 12 minutes including 2 readings, 8 without them. You need time for whatever group photos you've planned but the rest is empty time.

The best weddings for timings are Jewish ones. After the ceremony you have a bit of a cocktail hour but usually with a DJ playing soon after. Its then all party and food with very little downtime. They typically have the ceremony at 4pm so it gives people the morning to entertain themselves, have lunch etc.
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