Wedding entertainment adds fun and excitement to your celebration—most commonly, the wedding reception. And there are many different options you can take advantage of, such as the traditional wedding disco and fireworks displays or something a bit more unique. Here are fourteen of our favourite alternative wedding entertainment ideas.
Above, Blackjack Wedding Discos and MDL Fireworks Ltd
Karaoke
Most couples decide to have a disco at their wedding; this can include a live band/performer, a DJ, or even a simple playlist. But you can add a dash of extra fun by having a karaoke. Get your guests up and involved—maybe even make a competition out of it. It will charge the atmosphere and get everyone in a fine party spirit.
Sparklers
Fireworks are a traditional wedding finale, but you can light up the sky with other things too, such as paper lanterns, sparklers, or a bonfire.
Casinos
Often used for hen and stag parties a hired casino is a fantastic way to begin the wedding reception. It provides a great bit of fun, even if the money’s not real, and starts the night with a bang.
Magicians
A magician can inspire wonder and fascination with dazzling tricks and illusions—and he or she will be popular amongst all the family too! Similarly, you could look at alternative performers such as hypnotists and fortune tellers.
Comedians
A stand-up comedian can set the mood of the evening by putting everybody in good spirits and bringing a smile to their faces. Comedians are a growing trend in the weddingsphere because of the enjoyment they bring to the wedding celebration.
Artists
Quite a few couples hire a caricaturist for their wedding celebration, but one alternative to this is a silhouette artist.
Above: The Wedding Artist, Caricature Entertainment | The Shadow Cutter – Silhouette Art by Mark Conlin
Dancers
A broad option, dancers include everything from ballet dancing, belly dancing, and break dancing to fire dancing and acrobats. Furthermore, this could give way to hiring a dance teacher so that all of your guests can get involved.
Snack Carts or Bars
Ranging from candy to ice cream to fruit or hot chocolate, carts and bars both look pretty and are massively fun for your guests. They work to accentuate your wedding theme too—a hot chocolate bar, for example, is the perfect option for a winter wedding.
Above: The Candy Company | The Sweet Occasions Co
Fountains
A fountain could be made up of anything from chocolate to champagne, and they work as fantastic table or buffet centrepieces.
Wine Tasting
Make your wedding an even more unforgettable experience by adding something new for your guests. Wine tasting, for example. Other sensory tasting options include champagne tasting, coffee tasting, and brandy tasting.
Above: Diane and David’s Real Wedding in Italy | Janine and Gary’s Pink and Cream Real Wedding
Singing Waiters
From mariachi bands to classical singers, singing waiters are a wonderful surprise for your wedding reception. And often they’re very flexible with their performances, suitable for any wedding.
Photo/Video Booths
Offering an opportunity to snap a fun photo of the big day and to record personal messages of congratulations for the bride and groom, a photo/video booth is a great addition to your wedding. And you could offer a box of props for your guests to dress up with too!
Also, see Confetti’s shop for our fantastic Vintage Affair Photo Booth Kit, filled with fun props that will make your photos extra special.
Children’s Entertainment
If there are children attending your wedding then you might want to give them something to do throughout the evening. That can mean anything from providing colouring books or board games to hiring child-friendly entertainment such as puppeteers, face painters, pantomime performers, or a bouncy castle.
Above: The White Bouncy Castle Ltd | Arts and Enchantments via Entertainers Worldwide
Games
Guaranteed to be fun for everyone, with games at your wedding the possibilities are endless. Organise games such as croquet, apple bobbing, and bashing at a piñata, or create carnival-style games like ring tossing.
Above: Vintage Meets Circus Meets Festival – Lucy and Adam’s Real Wedding | Kerrie and Carl’s Real Wedding in Wonderland
There are many more entertainment ideas for you to consider too (e.g. jugglers and ice sculptures), and you invite even more opportunities once you decide on your theme. For example, with a medieval wedding theme you could consider falconry or archery. See our articles for more wedding entertainment ideas and for some advice on what to consider when choosing your wedding entertainment.
