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Keeping Your Guests Entertained


John Maddaford
John Maddaford Updated:
4th of July 2022

Looking for some ideas to turn your wedding reception into a really exciting evening, then look no further at these ideas to keep your guests entertained!

  • Starting with the younger guests, why not bring in a face painter who can transform the little faces into wonderful animals and patterns.
  • Have you thought about amusing the children at your reception with a Piñata - a container often made of papier-mâché, pottery, or cloth; it is decorated, and filled with small toys or candy, or both, and then broken as part of a ceremony or celebration. A great way to keep children amused.
  • Did you know that the word Caricature means "loaded portrait"? Having a caricaturist attend a wedding is always a hit. They can give your guests something to take home and hang on the wall at the end of their day. Drawing caricatures is great fun with a technique which exaggerates or pulls the key features of the human face to distort but still being able to retain a likeness.
  • Look-a-likes - people who can mingle amongst your guests. A great way to get all your guests talking and adds an element of surprise to any occasion.
  • Always a hit with guests is a Magician - get them to circulate around tables between your wedding breakfast, showing off their amazing skills. Most magicians will also get your guests to participate.
  • Looking to wow your guests a little more? Why not consider hiring an entire circus and turn your reception into a wedding big top - amazing fun for all ages of guests. Think along the lines of stilt walking, jugglers, fire eaters, acrobats and tightrope walkers!
  • If you have some outdoor space to fill, then why not create a cosy area for your guests to sit later in the evening. Provide seating made from hay bales and some fire pits to take the chill off.
  • If you have an open space to fill, why not consider hiring a bouncy castle - a sure why to get both adults and children alike to show off their tumbling skills!
  • Photo booths are all the rage, but if you are not able to hire one, why not create your own in a corner of a room - have a big box of glasses, hats, wigs and other props and then have a Polaroid camera available for guests to capture all the fun!
  • Always a must at a good wedding is music - the choices are virtually endless from discos through to karaoke
  • A live band - great fun for all ages to get rocking on the dance floor.
  • Jukebox - hire a retro jukebox with a great selection of tunes, and get your guests to choose the tunes for the evening.
  • DJ - you can provide a selection of songs to suit all guests and also get your guests to request songs.
Magicians, fireworks and much more...
John Maddaford

About the author


John Maddaford

John has been a pivotal member of the Guides for Brides team for 15 years. Over the years he has built relationships with a number of wedding entertainment suppliers including, but not limited to: discos, DJs, live bands, magicians and the totally unique. He is the best person to contact for supplier recommendations in your area.

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