Ideas for Creating A Fun Wedding Reception

Suzanne Karp Photography

Thanks to Hannah Boothe for contributing this guest post.

When planning your wedding reception, it can be challenging to know where to begin. You want to create a memorable experience for your guests but don't want it to feel like a party. How do you set the right tone? What kind of entertainment should go along with a wedding reception? Regardless of the event planning spectrum, you're on, you'll probably agree that throwing a traditional wedding reception is not exactly what everyone dreams of. The stress and worries of wedding planning drag down many of a bride's moods, so why not find ways to make the night fun and enjoyable for all involved? Here are some ideas for creating a fun wedding reception:

If we haven’t met yet, hi! I’m Lindsey Nickel and I’m a local Napa wedding planner and the owner of Lovely Day Events. My team and I have planned more than 140 destination weddings, so I can tell you firsthand that wine country weddings are something special. My clients want the ceremony to be outside, the food to be outstanding, and the dance parties to be epic. If this sounds like you, you’re in the right place.

1. Break the Ice Creatively

If your wedding guests are a diverse group, and you don't know everyone personally, you can start by getting to know them. Introduce everyone to one another throughout the day, and have some fun! Have a trivia game or conversation starters for the adults. Ask questions that get guests talking and make them feel like they're a part of the wedding weekend. When planning your wedding, you probably have more than a few fond memories of the past. It's fun to remember the good times and reminisce about the good times ahead. You can create a great "day-of" atmosphere by having each guest bring one of their favorite memories from their wedding day.

2. Walk Down Memory Lane

Another great way to make your reception fun is by taking your guests on a walk down memory lane. You can have guests write down a funny story, poem, or song that reminds them of their wedding day. If you don't have any funny stories from the past, ask your guests to create one together. You can also have them write down the most amusing story they've heard about another couple's wedding day. If you're having a destination wedding, consider making a "walk down memory lane" part of your reception. This can be done by having the bridal party arrive at a particular time and holding a ceremony at the same place where you got married. The guests will then have an opportunity to relive some of the moments that made up your wedding day.

3. Be Entertaining

A photo booth at the reception can be a great way to keep guests entertained. What better way to keep the party going than with fun pictures to keep the memory forever? You can look online for a photo booth for sale, to compare your options and find one that works perfectly for your needs! You can also have a game of charades or Pin the Tail on the Donkey. You can even have guests try to remember and retell a funny story repeatedly. You can have your guests participate in activities that will get them out of their seats and into the party atmosphere. Have a scavenger hunt for the guests, or have them participate in a competition for who can make the best guess about where to find each item on the scavenger hunt list. Or, provide a fun photo booth where guests can take pictures with props from your wedding day. For example, if you ad your ceremony at a lighthouse, have your guests pose like they're standing on top of it.

4. Play Party Games

Some of the best ways to get guests talking and laughing are by playing party games. You can play a game of charades or Pin the Tail on the Donkey, or you can have a scavenger hunt for your guests. You can also get your guests to participate in an activity that will get them out of their seats and into the party atmosphere. Consider having a game night if you're having a large wedding and reception. You can have guests compete against each other or the bridal party. You can also have guests play games like charades or Pin the Tail on the Donkey. You can also have guests play games that require them to be silly, such as "What bride does this remind you of?" or "Guess which bride I'm talking about."

5. Make the Bouquet Minimal

The bouquet symbolizes union, and the bridesmaids are the "maids of honor." The bride's bouquet is often a significant part of what she'll wear on her wedding day. So, if you want your bridal party to be as memorable as possible, consider having them wear something that will also be memorable. You can have your bridesmaids wear white dresses or even pastel colors. If you're having a destination wedding, consider making each girl carry a bouquet from the same country where you are getting married.

Conclusion

The bride is often the center of attention, but it's important to remember that your bridal party will support you and ensure you have the best time on your wedding day. They're the ones who will be responsible for helping you get ready, serving the food and drinks at the reception, and helping you get back to your hotel room when it's time to go home.