When it comes to planning a guest-pleasing wedding, there’s one aspect that guarantees the most memorable party: the entertainment. The cringe-worthy DJ from many a wedding past is long gone as today’s couples can freely present the most personalised and eclectic schedule of entertainment to their guests.
The trick is to cover all bases by arranging something for each guest and section of the day. From the pre-wedding warm-up to the after-party, timing and atmosphere is everything. Whether you wish to prime your guests for the main event, create a soundtrack while you steal away for newlywed photos, foster a relaxed ambience for some downtime between events or ramp up the party feel for the evening’s dance-filled finale, entertainment is key to the most raved-about wedding.
We’ve asked wedding planner Laura Dalton from Kept Weddings (keptweddings.co.uk) for her advice on how to plan a day that spectacularly entertains from start to finish...
Pre-wedding party
“The pre-wedding party is the perfect opportunity to get people on the wedding day together,” says Laura. “Getting familiar with one another and settling in helps make everyone feel more comfortable. It also allows you to spend more time with your guests so you can focus on being together on the wedding day itself. Most couples typically opt for a more relaxed affair with casual drinks and music to help manage people’s excitement before the big day. But it is becoming more popular to entertain guests beforehand to extend the celebrations. Think tacos and a mariachi band, ballgowns and casino night, casuals and quiz, or you can split the party with a pamper or pub.”
Depending on the type, venue and time restraints of your day, the opportunities before the main event can vary from a small family meal at home the night before to an extended day of preparations mixed in with early celebrations. Couples opting for an elopement or intimate wedding may wish to host a small drinks soirée, while a weekend marquee wedding might call for a day-long festival-style party to extend the mood. Discuss your ideas with your planner, venue and suppliers and work within your budget and time frames to create a pre-wedding party to individually match.
Louise Eleanor Photography
Pre-ceremony
It’s becoming increasingly common for ‘first look’ scenarios whereby the couple sneak a peek of each other ahead of the vows, as well as mingling with guests either together or separately as part of a more casual welcoming event. Preambles provide a brilliant way for everyone to officially say hello, share a drink, lend support and relax in each other’s company before the more formal proceedings begin. These can take the form of canapés and drinks outside the ceremony venue, a family brunch or lunch at or near the venue (your favourite restaurant, a laidback picnic, food vans or beach barbecue) or even a wedding breakfast ahead of a sunset ceremony. You can make food a particular focal point and feature of entertainment (mixologist, live cooking station, interactive elements) or prioritise the entertainment itself such as with a saxophonist, vocalist or a live portrait or landscape artist.
“As guests arrive for the ceremony it's always nice to set the tone of the day,” advises Laura of the importance of establishing atmosphere early on. “Romantic ambient music is a lovely touch to serenade the audience. String quartets, singers and pianists are a staple for entry music, but we are seeing more cellists, loop pedal guitarists and harpists emerging as an alternative. If you are looking for something a bit different, but with great impact, consider a choir. The many voices add another level to your setting that will impress and captivate your guests” – priming them for the ceremony and building anticipation for the bride’s grand entrance.
Ceremony
The nuptials need not follow a formula when it comes to the entertainment factor. From the flower girls’ and bride’s entrance to the spaces between the vows, readings, signing of the register and exit, allow your creativity as much free rein as you fancy.
“Tradition always has its place during the ceremony, but you could always be ‘extra’ and have a dance performance before your big reveal,” suggests Laura. “Perhaps ballet dancers leading the procession or an aerialist to wow your guests? You could even make an entrance via helicopter (if the venue allows)! Nothing is too much, right?”
Pepper proceedings with some personalised entertainment, from a live singing duo or musical performance to mini theatrical interludes and aisle dance outros. Bring the unusual into the traditional with an owl ring-bearer or singing celebrant. By incorporating your passions and personalities into each part of the ceremony and splicing entertainment into traditional elements, you’ll create a beautifully bespoke and highly engaging affair.
Claire Rivers Photography
Drinks reception
Get the party started in inimitable style with a drinks reception designed to surprise, enthral and amuse your guests. Kick off with a cocktail hour, circus act, soul singer, fairground rides or garden games – and don’t forget to make the food and drink a sensorial feast too courtesy of towering champagne fountains, pimp-your-drink stands and colourful grazing stations complete with statement floral design.
“Bring the good vibes with more music, like a saxophonist, roaming band or brass band,” says Laura of some of the best party starters. “A live painter, illustrator or caricaturist are lovely additions for your guests to receive personal keepsakes, but you could also have roaming artists like magicians, tarot readers or jugglers to keep your guests entertained while you are having your photos taken. For longer drinks receptions, food carts such as ice cream, popcorn or doughnuts are a nice treat that we are seeing more of – especially at summer weddings.”
Don’t forget to cater to all ages too. Set up a kids’ corner or crèche area where you can arrange toys, arts and crafts stations, a bouncy castle, Punch and Judy show, balloon artist or face painters – or employ a kids’ entertainer to occupy younger guests without the need for parental presence.
It’s also worth having a chill-out tent or area for older guests complete with a snug, tea and coffee bar, books or magazines, and laidback soundtrack (jazz pianist, Ibiza lounge-inspired playlist) – which can be adapted as the day progresses to accommodate anyone wanting a post-feast siesta or lazy evening sundowner.
Wedding breakfast
“The wedding breakfast is certainly an awaited affair by guests, but once they’re all fed and watered, you could surprise them with singing waiters or an impersonator to prevent the after-dinner slump and elevate the day going into the night,” suggests Laura. “They help the transition from romance to fun as guests put on their dancing shoes for the evening reception.”
Entertaining guests during the wedding breakfast again depends on the format and layout. A three-course sit-down menu might warrant a harpist, while a selection of street food stations could be flanked by a glitter bar, stilt walkers and aerial acrobats.
The speeches are the traditional means of entertainment and can be delivered before, during or after the meal, with many couples scattering them throughout courses. Mix this up by playing videos (marryoke, recordings or live feeds from guests unable to attend, vintage footage from the newlyweds’ childhoods), audio or voice notes, and even organising sketches by child guests or performance artists. Host a Mr & Mrs Quiz, table games or hire an actor such as a celebrity lookalike to fit with your theme. Conversation and guest interaction tends to dominate the wedding breakfast, which can be accentuated by interactive catering options like sharing platters, self-serve stations, table chefs and DIY options (build your own dessert, barbecues). Anything from a playlist packed with guest requests to a live band, cellist or steel band could provide the upbeat soundtrack.
Yeah Mike
Evening reception
When day turns to night, the sense of abandon and celebration is usually revved up, so you’ll want to plan your evening entertainment accordingly. Most couples start with something energised – a live band or specially curated playlist for leading into the first dance that then transitions into a group dance of some kind. Remember: there are no rules when it comes to how and when you decide to don your dancing shoes (if at all!)
“DJs and bands are always the main event when it comes to entertainment on your wedding day and are a must-have to keep the dance floor pumping and energy high,” says Laura, who recommends plumping for personal choice when it comes to genre, such as Motown, party hits, dance or ’80s. “Change it up with a barn dance or even a bandeoke whereby people get the opportunity to feel like a superstar performing with their own band on stage,” she adds.
In short, a plethora of entertainment awaits you and your evening guests to match all moods and party spaces, from silent discos and casino tables to drag performers, s’mores around the firepit, smoke bombs, stand-up comedians, fire breathers, dance troupes, laser shows and pyrotechnics. Go en masse with a ceilidh, line dancing or groomsmen and bridal party dance-off, or arrange splinter areas of entertainment with a photo booth, petting zoo, pamper tent, escape room experience or virtual reality party arcade. No end to the fun!
words Hannah May
Main image Olivia Rossi Photography
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