Entertainment Ideas to Keep the Fun Flowing on Your Wedding Day
If you’re planning a wedding and looking for some super fun ideas to keep your guests and yourselves entertained, you’ve come to the right place!
One of the most common questions I ask my couples is “What do you wish you’d known while planning your wedding?”
Kaz, who married Danny in March 2017, answered:
”We had two amazing bands for our reception, but I wish we’d planned some kind of entertainment for the awkward time between the ceremony and the wedding breakfast. As there were only around 17 of us in total at the ceremony, it didn’t take long to speak to everyone and get group photos. We had a few drinks, but we definitely should’ve thought about it a bit more!!”
I’m so blessed to say that pretty much all of the couples that choose me as their photographer are laid-back, non-boring and love to have a ton of fun on their wedding day. This means that not only do I have an absolute blast at weddings, I also come away with loads of ideas and inspiration to share with you!
Below you will find plenty of awesome entertainment ideas from my super fun couples. Get yourself a nice cup of tea (or pour a glass of wine - why not?) grab a pen and paper, pop your feet up and have a scroll.
(I’ve included links to some awesome wedding suppliers in Devon and Cornwall, some of whom likely travel further afield like I do, as well as links to some previous wedding day blog posts so you can have even more inspiration and get all giddy thinking about your day!)
Fun-tastic Entertainment Ideas
If You Think You Have Plenty of Confetti… Double it… Then Double it Again!
Shanna and Sam had so much confetti at their wedding at Bickley Mill in Devon, everyone had the chance to join in!
Confetti Cannons for the Dance Floor!
Dancing in a shower of confetti looks amazing in the photos (and feels amazing, too, by the way!).
Book an Excursion for You and Your Guests
Lealah and Adam had an amazing boat ride (and a pasty) along the Plymouth Sound during their wedding day at Ocean Studios and The Orangery at Mount Edgcumbe. Have a think about your venue - what activities or excursions could you have at yours?
Live Music Between the Ceremony and Wedding Breakfast
Claire and Tim enjoyed the beautiful voice of Lottie Bolt in the afternoon of their wedding day. Live music is a great way to keep your guests occupied and dancing during that little break! Space Hoppers also came in handy as seats (when they were not being used for races and fights, of course).
Make Your Day Even More Magical with a Magician!
Add some real-life magic to your day like Becca and Lee did when they hired Dan Brazier to blow their minds at their wedding at The Headland Hotel in Torquay.
Food!
Little snacks like popcorn, candy floss and ice cream will keep guests’ tummies happy while they wait for the wedding breakfast (or even afterwards), and makes for an awesome talking point!
Bucking Bronco (or in this case… Sheep)
Christina and Lee had a Bucking Sheep tournament. Whoever stayed on the longest would become the proud new owner of a fluffy sheep toy. It was so good to get a competitive game going!
Bouncy Castle
Christina and Lee also had a bouncy castle! This was a great chance for those unable (or unwilling) to have a go on the Bucking Sheep to join in and still have a blast! (Both the bucking sheep and the bouncy castle were provided by Mane Events.)
Take a Little Road Trip to The Nearest Beach
Lisa and Paul had a beautiful, laid-back elopement at The Cow Shed where they also made the most of the stunning beaches nearby. We all hopped in the Webb Family Mini Cooper (lovingly named Sally) and took a 10-minute drive to Portwrinkle Beach. Isn’t this a wonderful idea?
Beer Pong
The Beer Pong table was a huge hit at Jackie and Mark’s awesome wedding at The Bickley Mill Inn! The boozy party game was great to get everyone (old enough to drink) to let loose!
Bubbles for the Kids
Is there anything that lights up kids’ faces more than millions of bubbles? Not only do they instantly fill kids (and adults) with giggles, they also make for an awesome, whimsical photo opportunity!
Giant Bubbles
Amazing for the bigger kids and another brilliant photo op!
Space Hopper Races
Have you ever seen anyone unhappy on a space hopper? I definitely haven’t!
Toss the Bouquet
It’s a tradition for a reason!
Swing Ball
Traditional lawn games are a fantastic way to keep the party going throughout the day, as well as being wholesome fun for all ages!
Limbo
Test your guests by setting up Limbo! Have your guests literally bending over backwards for you on your wedding day!
Get a Game of Rounders Going
Lucy and Nick had a super fun back garden and yurt wedding. Hit the link if you want loads of inspiration from one of the most laid-back weddings (and best parties) I’ve ever been to.
or Badminton
or Football
Sumo Suits
Challenge your bestie to a wrestle in these hilariously awkward suits. Anyone can get involved and it's one hell of an icebreaker!
Prepared for (and Actually Embrace) the Rain
You might be thinking: yep, all of these things are great, but what if it rains? Well, if you are getting married in the UK, there’s every chance it’ll rain - even in the summer! Why not mentally and physically prepare for it (brollies, wellies, blankets, jackets) and even expect it to rain leading up to the day. That way if it does, you and your guests can enjoy it (like Lauren and Jon having a brolly fight - above). If the sun then does come out it’s actually a bonus and even more to celebrate!
Lauren and Jon had the best of both worlds on their PIZZA wedding at Mamma J’s in Looe and were even lucky enough to see rainbows when they ventured out to the beach in the rain!
Games on the Tables at the Reception
Laura and Gavin kept the fun flowing at their rainy day wedding at Trevenna Barns by having a different game on every table. From mini table football to the classic screwball scramble. Every guest had a ball (pun definitely intended) and didn’t mind that they couldn’t get outside.
Fancy Dress and Funny Props
Another idea perfect for families - fancy dress and funny props will provide endless fun and photo opportunities! Who wouldn’t want to see their gran in a huge, rainbow wig?
Tea Station
Having unlimited tea and coffee is pure genius! This will keep any non-boozers (and your photographer, if that photographer happens to be me!) entertained and watered during the day.
Plenty of Booze
Why restrict the toasts for the wedding breakfast? It’s called a social lubricant for a reason, after all!
Props for the Dance Floor
Get your best air-band together and bust some moves on the dance floor.
Epic Live Music
Becky and Chris Hired The Salvation to play at their Bridwell Park Estate wedding! Seriously, check this band out! They are incredible and the dance floor was shaking all night long!
Hire a Fun Wedding Photographer
I only took Becky and Chris (pictured above) away for around 20 minutes for their couple photos as they wanted to get back to their amazing party (rightfully so) - I even encouraged Chris to bring his drink! They used this as more of an excuse to take a small break, catch up with each other and take it all in rather than a formal “photo shoot”.
If you want a super fun wedding day (and more importantly time to have fun) then I feel you’d want a photographer who spends more time photographing the natural moments of the day instead of spending lots of time setting up and heavily posing.
Think about what you’d rather remember when you look back through your photos - stiff, posed and painstakingly arranged group photos that took hours out of your day; or awesome snapshots of your favourite people having a whale of a time with you.
If you’re more drawn to the latter, look for a photographer that shows lots of real-life moments on their website and uses words such as natural, real, laid-back, relaxed, and documentary (ahem… like me!) to describe their style - and maybe not those that ask for a huge list of group photos from you.
Speaking of group photos, here’s a post on scrapping group photos all together (or at least not having many) so that you have more time to focus on fun on your wedding day.
Let your Hair Down!
Finally, and this is possibly the most important thing I mention here: let your hair down!
Of course, this is more of a mindset or attitude than something you can book.
Sian and Jon just had this incredibly fun loving and care free spirit on their wedding day at Restronguet Barton farm. Their good vibes actually radiated throughout their day and to their guests. With everyone basking in that incredible energy, they all let their hair down, too (especially on the dancefloor)!
Having a carefree attitude and not sweating the small stuff (which happens to be the most common advice my couples give to other couples) will certainly help your day to be tons of fun from start to finish. So don’t worry if something doesn’t go exactly to plan, if you can't afford to book absolutely everything you’d like, if the weather is a bit crap or things are running late. Your day will still be incredible if you just let your hair down, choose happiness and have a blast!
What are Your Thoughts?
Will you use any of these ideas for your wedding? Are you planning something that I’ve missed? I’d love to hear about it! Comment at the bottom of the page or send me a message to discuss your wedding entertainment.
