Low cost entertainment?

I have been to a lot of weddings over the years. I don't think you need to worry about entertaining guests after meal before disco. They will all be full and sitting around chatting. You could have an ipod play some chilled tunes? If you have a fancy venue, your guests will probably want to go for a wander around the grounds etc.

We are prob going to have a gap after the meal and before our band starts, not really worried, think we will go for Ipod option. Reckon the guests will be chatting and digesting...

How about a 'how well do you know the bride and groom' quiz with lots of obscure facts about yourselves (favourite childhood cartoon character, claims to fame, where you met, first car, etc etc)? That can be a fun way to fill time, particularly if it's done by table with a prize for the highest score?

Hi Silverscent, H2B and I recently went to a wedding a few weeks ago and there was about and 1 and 1/2 hour - 2 hours break before the reception started and I must say it was a welcome break as it would have been a long day otherwise.

H2B took the opportunity to have a little r n r in the hotel room and we both freshened up before the nights activities. Other people just mingled around the grounds of the hotel and I stayed in the bar and chilled out with a lot of the other guests and it seems that this was the time were most people actually got to know each other.

I would tend to agree to be honest - it can be a long and intense day, and it's not really necessary to have a full minute-by-minute breakdown of the entire day to make sure all your guests are entertained - they should be perfectly capable of doing that themselves (and the children, it's the parents responsibility to keep them happy and under control).

You may well find that you've got old school friends and distant relatives that might not have seen other people for years that would love that time to just "catch up" before the loud music starts up for the evening without having to go and stand outside or in the bar away from everyone else just to be heard.

Of course, you need a 'plan for the day' - that's a given - but it's not meant to be a military operation

I do a lot of all day weddings. I'm often asked to come up with something to entertain during this gap. To date, there has only been one occasion when it was necessary....and that was because the bride and groom disappeared to a picturesque spot for more photos and the guests had a three hour wait. If you think about it, that gap is the only time people get to mingle, chat and chill.......trust me, on the day it won't seem like a gap but a much needed catch up time to relax.

I wouldn't worry about the gap, it's to be expected at most weddings! I'm not a huge fan of quizzes but I know they're becoming more and more popular. I'd be happy with an open bar (I mean open, rather than funded) and some background music.

I'm sure your guests will have a great time.

Thanks everyone for your responses.

I was just worried people would notice the gap, but you've all reassured me that they probably won't or will actually enjoy the break.

I don't think I'll worry about filling the time then....I will just make sure some background music is played to keep the day flowing.

Thanks again all!!

That is so funny, I totally forgot, but we have asked a friend of ours to do a quiz after the meal!

From my experience, I think that you will really benefit from this little break. It will give you a chance to have a proper chat with all of your guests and I am sure that everyone will enjoy a good catch up.

I would recommend that you have drinks available and also some music in the background (CD, mp3 or perhaps live music).