Entertainment between ceremony/breakfast and breakfast/reception?

I might be controversial here but I really dont see that it is necessary. We didnt bother, surely people will be chatting etc? We had 2 hours between breakfast and evening, where we popped away for some photo time. It was a city centre venue so some people stayed and chatted, some people went for a stroll, and some people went to their respectives hotels to get changed, they all came back! I think its a poor show if a group of adults cant entertain themselves to be honest!

If youre worried then I would squash the day up a bit, rather than paying out for unnecessary extras.

We are getting married at 1:30, and wedding breakfast starts at approx 4:30. Its all in the same venue, and the same guests all the way through. Asside from reception drinks and canapes (and photos!) we re not providing any sort of entertainment for for that time. People will be chatting and drinking mainly, and probably almost all of our guests will be staying either on site at the hotel, or in anothe local hotel, and as they cant check until 2-3 (ie not before the ceremony) we've factored in people checkingin, going to their rooms to freshen up and stuff here, I wouldnt worry about it to be honest! If you are providing them with some food and drink, they should be able to entertain themselves for a couple of hours!!

I think it depends on how long your gap will be between the ceremony and breakfast? Sorry if I missed it? If it's an hour or so I'm not sure you need anything additional. People expect to spend some time chatting etc, I for one am always glad to have a drink and something light to eat, but wouldn't be bothered about entertainment as I'd be chatting to my friends and family.

We went to a wedding last year where the gap was 2 and a half hours, they served pimms but no canapés. It was a bit too long really, it was quite chilly, we were hanging around outside and we were all fairly hungry. I think you need to judge it based on your situation.

this, we had about 2hrs and people chatted, drank, mingled, caught up with people theyd not seen in a while!!!

Don't overthink it. As long as people have access to a drink (whether provided or paid for, alcoholic or not) they'll be fine. People will be catching up with friends and generally just chatting.

We didn't have loads of "hanging around" time for our abroad wedding, but that's pretty much all we had at our UK reception because there was no sit down meal and everything was much more laid back. After the ceremony, we had drinks and canapes outside, whilst my singing group did a set (mostly swing type of stuff). We then moved into the marquee and people just got more drinks. My group did another, more modern set about half an hour after people had moved into the marquee and the band came on around 2 hours later. We did have garden games, but it was a bit chilly so they didn't really get used.

We're not doing much differently to yours, in terms of having canapes and drinks after the ceremony and during photos. Our ceremony is 2.30pm, we should be done about 3pm where everyone will then go outside and then welcome us into the gardens with confetti (If I pluck up the courage to agree to this - I'm generally a person who shys away from attention). Then its photos for a bit with everyone then mingling with like I said canapes and drinks til about 4pm (so its only an hour max) where we'll enter the reception room for speeches (so we're doing from canapes into starter) - then it'll be meal til about 6.30... then between 6.30 and 7pm we'll be cutting the cake, which I'm guessing this'll take a little while as we'll have to get 60 people up and gathered, probably pose for photos - then we'll have to cut it and probably have more photos. Then evening guests will arive between 7-7.25 (so again only an hour between finishing the meal and first dance to include cutting a cake) for our first dance at 7.25 to then go into a live band for the evening.

I'm just worrying it'll be rushed, but at the same time, like you I dont like to be stood awaiting waiting and people will be spending from say 2pm til 11pm so have plenty of time for chit chat - and as we're quite a small number, everyone who'd talk to anyone, usually does often anyways day to day.

Pre-dinner, it depends on how much time you have and what your venue can accommodate. I agree that 2 1/2 hour mingling, often with only a drink or two available, can get a bit tedious. You've already got canapes and booze covered, but you may wish to have some soft drinks or even tea/coffee available, as not everyone will want to get smashed on an empty stomach. Somewhere to sit down, and somewhere to go if it's not really warm outside, are also important, and signs for the toilets if it's not obvious. I like the idea of outdoor games, especially if some of them could be done inside. You could also have some photo displays for people to look at, which I always like to see! Do make sure that your guests are available for group photos though, so maybe do this at the start of the drinks reception before people start to wander off, and then make sure people know what time the wedding breakfast starts so they can be back in time.

For after the meal, I think it's less important, as people will be more relaxed, have had a drink or two, and will have somewhere to sit. If you get a band, I would make that the main part of the evening entertainment, rather than something to fill a "lull." An indoor casino or other board games is not a bad idea, and photobooths are very trendy. Maybe you could get a magician or something like that? We had an ice cream trike at this point. I would personally advise against chocolate fountains as they are very messy, even with sober people!

None of these things are essential, and unless you space things out really widely most guests won't mind, so it's really just a case of what fits your budget and style.

What about a caricature? I think we are having one, it should be good.

Have just remembered, we are also having a few 'guest book' tye things. One is a finger print tree, so we'll have a bridesmaid 'manning' that, so everyone can come and do it, and also a polaroid style guestbook thing, where people have their photo taken, printed out polaroid style, and can then stick it in our guestbook and leave us a message. So that will give people something to do as well!

I've been to 36 weddings over the last 5 years, so I do know what you mean, but I stand by what I said about not overthinking it. Definitely don't have anything which would mean people are compelled to move away from the bar area. You don't want people to feel forced to join in on things.

Garden games are a good idea, because people can come and go as they please.

Perhaps some background music like a string quartet, jazz trio etc.

Have things for people to look at like photos, or have a wish tree where they can write their good wishes for you instead of a guest book.