Reception entertainment: Help!

I'm also hoping that people will just enjoy the free time to mingle and enjoy their drinks. We aren't having canapés either, due to budget, but we may be able to stretch to crisps/nuts etc. I've only been to one wedding but it was nice to have a catch up with everyone.

We are also lucky and there is a play park right outside our venue (its a village hall) so the kids will be able to play outside, or if its raining I'm going to get my old boxes of duplo and lego out of my parents loft and stick it in one of the hotel rooms if they get bored! We only have three kids coming and I know they all love lego!

I hadn't considered no entertainment at all- it's a very good point! We have about 100 guests, only about 5 kids. We will have fun quiz's/questionnaires on each place setting for the guests to fill in.

Most of our guests know each other and see each other weekly so there won't be a lot of catching up to do, although a handful of guests don't know anyone else so wouldn't want them to be bored or isolated.

I was hoping some form of entertainment would make families, friends, and particularly those coming from afar all feel included and mingle.

Thanks again!

Haha I must say the "blame her if people look bored" made me laugh! X

Call me biased but I would suggest a close up magician! A good one can mix and mingle with your guests and provide plenty of laughs and amazement whilst you have your photos taken.

The best wedding I ever attended was at a friend who is also a magician and also invited a boat load of magicians! It's natural for a magician to carry plenty of tricks in their pockets even when they're not working.

The result being; plenty of free entertainment for all the muggles (non magical people!).

When at wedding fayres, I'm often surprised at how low down the pecking order entertainment is for brides. And that doesn't have to be a magician. Any form of entertainment is good as there is so much down time at a wedding which often gets over looked whilst thinking about the dress, flowers and seat covers!

For parties, I have booked a comedy waiter to mix and mingle with guests. I'd highly recommend this type of entertainment. He had us in stitches and we have used him two other times since!

Another good idea: Get some modeling balloons with pumps and get guests to make up their own creations - with guides or not!

Looks like you're heading in the right direction though ?

I would have to agree!

Hiya,

I've been to loads of weddings in recent years, and I've never expected 'entertainment' during the drinks reception, and never been given any! You're already doing something - you're engaging in the drinks reception!

Surely 'entertainment' should be for later. You have the ceremony, then the drinks reception (whilst you do your photos), then you have the meal...... then there's a gap where technically there isn't anything. So that's when you drink, and get 'entertained' by stuff - eg. band, DJ, etc.

The drinks reception is a chance to chill after the ceremony, and knock back a few drinks whilst saying hi to friends. Plus, people spend that time taking their OWN photos of the venue and themselves in their finery.

I definitely agree that adults are capable of entertaining themselves during the day. They'll be mingling and having a little drink and I really don't think anything else is needed

We're having a close up magician for the drinks reception. We saw him at a wedding fair and loved the idea. He came in a package with our photobooth and casino for the evening.

If we hadn't of seen him tho we would of just let guests mingle and have a catch up

Xx

We did end up having a close up magician - mainly because my hubby loves magic, but it was also good to entertain people and he also went around the tables. He was absolutely fantastic as well! If OH hadn't wanted a magician so badly, we just would've had nothing - everyone's just happy to sit around and chat!! Though I recently went to a wedding where we were sitting around a lot longer than we were told, we were only allowed one drink, and the canapes which they did come round, I only had one!! However, part of the problem was that all of their other friends and family weren't particulaly friendly so it was hard to talk to anyone outside our group!!!

I love the idea of lawn games or a magician (might have to look into that)! I would say easy nibbles would be a must, as I have been to weddings where for an hour and a half I hear guests whinge about 'When is dinner then? How long do we have to wait?', so nibbles will keep rumbly tummies at bay. Like the others have said most of the adults will be happy to mingle and chat. If you have children there I suggest coloring books, bubbles (basically little party bags). If there aren't loads of chairs outside, then you could lay down some blankets/rugs on the lawn for people to park their bums and enjoy the atmosphere (as long as it's sunny)!.

I would also much rather prefer serve crisps and nuts at this point at my wedding rather than £700 worth of canapes - are they bloody mad?!?!? lol!