5 Unique Ideas to Keep Your Guests Entertained

When planning a wedding, a debut, or a big party, one of the things you need to think about is what your guests can do while waiting for the celebration to begin or during a lull in the program

For example, between the wedding ceremony and reception, the bride and groom finally take a break. They sit down, stretch their legs, eat a snack, or take that much-needed sip of water. In other weddings, photographers and videographers use this break time between the wedding ceremony and reception to photograph the couple and their entourage.

During the break, you may want to have some activities to entertain your guests. The goal is to keep your guests engaged so they won't be bored but instead look forward to your reception. 

Here are some things you can do:

Host a Cocktail Hour

After the ceremony, your guests may be slightly hungry. Now would be the best time to serve them drinks and snacks. Set out some cookies, mini sandwiches, nuts, crackers, and other finger foods for your guests to try. If your wedding theme is Modern Filipiniana, a popular wedding trend for 2022 and 2023 in the Philippines, you can serve themed food, like kakanin, salabat, hot chocolate, and the like. In other instances, you can also serve coffee and alcoholic beverages.

Set up cocktail tables and let your guests mingle and chit-chat with one another.

Set Up a Game Booth or a Craft Station

Another way to entertain your guests is to set up a game booth, craft station, or both. Put some board games or card games in the game booth. Or you can set up a giant Jenga in the middle of the lawn.

At the craft station, you can place some materials so your guests can make their own favors or keepsakes to take home. Some ideas would be bookmarks, cardboard frames, 

If your space isn't that big, you can have your hosts come up with icebreakers or mini-games to help your guests get to know each other more.

Create a Special Wedding Corner

Ask guests to write notes for the couple (advice, date night ideas, best wishes). You can compile these in a scrapbook or put them in a box to use later when you and your spouse are looking for fun things to do.

Hire a DJ or a Live Band

If your guests love dancing and music, you may want to hire a DJ to play some music or a live band to keep your guests entertained. The DJ or host (if you have one) can guide your guests through dancing. Opening up the dance floor allows your guests to let down their hair to get the party started.

Provide a Venue Tour

Some wedding venues have much to see, especially if your wedding venue is a park, a farm, a museum, or any other unique or large space. If your guests are interested and the venue offers it as part of the package, you may want to let them explore the area for a while. When they’re back, they’d have worked up an appetite.

Bonus! Rent a Photo Booth

Setting up a photo booth with fun props and backdrops is another way to keep your guests entertained. That way, the guests have a souvenir to take home, and you get more photos to remember your special day.

Make Your Wedding Meaningful For You and Your Guests

While your wedding is your big day, you also want it to be memorable for your guests. Keeping them entertained, engaged, and enjoying themselves is exactly how to help them do that.