Entertainment for your Wedding
If you have any money left in your budget after planning the essentials, money spent on an entertainer, or a group of entertainers, will be money well spent. It can make the difference between an ordinary wedding that your guests enjoy, and one that they rave about with memories of fantastic magicians doing close up magic tricks at the tables during the meal, a casino for guests to play roulette and blackjack during the evening receptions, or perhaps even dodgems if your venue has the space outside to accommodate them. The cost of entertainment may not be as high as you expect, with professional magicians ranging from £200 upwards and simple fairground rides at a similar price, up to dodgems at £500 - £800. The price will include all the rides that your guests can enjoy so represents quite good value for money when compared to other aspects of the wedding.
Surprise your guests with the latest in wedding entertainment; singing waiters who will serve drinks and the food along with the rest of the catering staff before suddenly bursting into song.
If you have children at your wedding, keeping them entertained is crucial for everyone’s sake. A good professional children’s entertainer will keep them active and engaged, but may tire younger children very quickly. Avoid clowns; you may love them but many children find them terrifying. A Punch and Judy Show is a lovely idea but again some children may find the crocodile to be scary and refuse to watch without their parents, who would probably prefer to be being entertained elsewhere! A creche is a great option and most cater for all ages with electronic games and DVD players for teens, and crafts and activities for the younger ones. Use an experienced wedding creche company rather than staff from the local nursery as they will ensure that the crafts don’t involve glue or paint that could damage special outfits.
Outdoor entertainment options
For a summer wedding in a marquee or venue with large grounds the entertainment options are endless. A lot of venues have giant chess boards or giant Jenga for your guests to play and this can be a cheap alternative to hiring a bouncy castle, bar fly, sumo wrestling suits or other inflatable games.
Entertainment FAQ
How do you entertain wedding guests?
There are an incredibly wide variety of different wedding entertainment available, so you are guaranteed to be able to find something that fits your venue, theme and budget. Just a few examples include magicians, a casino, singing waiters, photo booths, fireworks or even dodgems! The possibilities are infinite, all you need to do is explore and find what suits your wedding.
How do you entertain children at a wedding?
If you have children at your wedding, keeping them entertained is crucial for everyone’s sake. A good professional children’s entertainer will keep them active and engaged, but may tire younger children very quickly. A Punch and Judy Show is a lovely idea but some children may find the crocodile to be scary. A creche is a great option and most cater for all ages with electronic games and DVD players for teens, and crafts and activities for the younger ones.
How much does wedding entertainment cost?
Of course, this entirely depends on which and how many entertainments you decide upon but the cost of entertainment may not be as high as you expect. For example, professional magicians range from £200 upwards and simple fairground rides are a similar price, up to dodgems at £500 - £800 which includes all the rides that your guests can enjoy.
When should I book my wedding entertainment?
Wedding DJs will usually have their own decks, PA and microphones, and many have disco lighting. Discuss with your DJ whether they do need you or the venue to provide any equipment, such as a PA system or lighting.
Can wedding DJs take song requests?
Generally you should aim to book your entertainment 12-18 months prior to your big day to make sure you secure exactly what you want, especially when selecting from a wide variety of different entertainment types.
