Wedding Entertainment Beyond the Dance Floor

Posted on September 26, 2023

Like many couples planning their wedding, you’ve likely spent countless hours thinking about the flowers, the decor, the music, and the food, all in the name of creating an unforgettable celebration. But what about those guests who may not want to dance the night away? While it’s easy to get caught up in the idea of a packed dance floor, the truth is that not every guest will necessarily be itching to show off their moves. So, what can you do to keep everyone entertained? That’s where we come in!

We recently reached out to wedding professionals and our readers for their favorite non-dancing wedding reception entertainment ideas, and the results were nothing short of inspiring.

From lawn games to photo booths, and everything in between, we’ve got you covered with some truly creative and unique ideas. Read on to discover the best ideas for wedding reception entertainment that will make your celebration truly unforgettable.

Lawn Games for your Wedding Reception

An outdoor wedding and lawn games are a true match made in heaven! Lawn games and other outdoor activities are a fantastic way to entertain your guests and create a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere. Classic games like cornhole, giant Jenga, and croquet are always crowd-pleasers, and they provide a fun and competitive element to the celebration. You can also incorporate themed games that match your wedding style or interests. For example, if you’re a sports-loving couple, a mini golf tournament or a friendly game of soccer would be so fun! A few of our readers sung the praises of Burlington Axe Throwing as a unique activity for guests. As the name suggests, guests would put their hand-eye coordination to the test by trying to throw axes at a bullseye target. (Get ready for laughter and friendly competition!)

Live Wedding Painting or Custom Wedding Sketches

Live painting is a captivating form of entertainment that allows your guests to witness the creation of a work of art in real time! (This can also double as a memorable wedding favor) Whether it’s a beautiful portrait of the newlyweds or quick sketches of guests, watching an artist bring a blank canvas to life is a mesmerizing experience! We highly recommend Lucas K Barrett and Hope Sharp Art for your wedding rehearsal dinner or reception.

Interactive Food Stations

Interactive food stations (and bars like Salt & Bubbles or Vermont Mobile Spirits!) are not only delicious but also provide entertainment and a memorable experience for your guests. We’ve seen an increase in couple’s opting for food trucks during their reception or as late night food offerings. If you’re looking to scoop up something sweet, many of our readers recommended an ice cream truck! Ben & Jerrys, Sisters of Anarchy Ice Cream and Palmer’s are all delish options. While on the topic of desserts, we also love Crazy Cotton Candy Lady, who does live spinning of unique cotton candy flavors during your wedding reception. (Talk about a fun and yummy guest favor!) A s’mores table from The Vermont Marshmallow Co. is another great interactive option that will keep guests fueled all evening long!

Table Top Games or Scavenger Hunts

For couples looking to bring some nostalgia to their big day, table top board games are a great option! You can place a few on each table or dedicate an area in your reception space for them. Card games and puzzles are also great options for guest looking to to take a break from dancing.

One of our readers, Krista, reached out with her own spin on a game… a scavenger hunt! She and her husband designed a series of “puzzles” that people found when they got to their table for the evening, each leading them to different areas of their venue. The end result? A chest that opened with puzzles for guests to take home as a wedding favor. So fun and unique!

Crafting or Coloring Area

This idea is perfect for couples who want to provide a relaxing activity for their guests. Whether you’re looking to create personalized favors or offer a more hands on way for guests to unwind, a DIY crafts or coloring station is sure to be a hit. Don’t forget to provide plenty of colored pencils, markers, and crayons or paint for guests to use. If you have a lot of younger wedding guests, this is a great way to keep them entertained as well.

Wedding Photo Booths and Floral Walls

If there’s one thing guests love just as much as celebrating newlyweds, it’s a good photo opp! Photo booths are a wedding mainstay and for good reason. They offer a fun and interactive experience for guests of all ages, and they provide a unique opportunity to capture memories from your special day. We highly recommend our friends at PixelPod who specialize in immersive and fun photo booth set ups.

Guests can take silly and creative photos with their loved ones, creating unforgettable moments that can be treasured for years to come. For couples looking for a custom backdrop that matches their wedding theme, look no further than Day of Rentals. Day of Rentals provides high quality flower walls for weddings and events. They are great as ceremony backdrops, photo booth backdrops, sweetheart table backdrops and so much more.

Lip Sync Battles or Karaoke

Karaoke or an epic lip sync battle is a fantastic way to get your guests up and engaged in the entertainment. We especially love this idea for the second half of the reception or during your after party. Whether you have a love for singing or simply enjoy watching others perform, this interactive activity is sure to create a fun and memorable experience for everyone! Pro tip: don’t forget to break out the camera for this one.

While gathering with friends and family to celebrate is fun in and of itself, we hope these ideas inspire you to infuse some creative wedding entertainment into your own big day!

For more wedding planning advice and inspiration, check out our Ultimate Wedding Planning Guide. You’ll have instant access to industry insider tips and spreadsheet templates to make planning your wedding easier and more fun.

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Meet Vermont Wedding Planners, The Event Sisters

Posted on September 21, 2023

There are a lot of moving pieces when it comes to planning a wedding, which is why many couples to a wedding planner to help bring their visions to life and ensure no detail is overlooked! From decoration help and coordinating with vendors to creating detailed timelines for your big day, having a skilled wedding planner on your team can be a huge relief!

If you’re unsure if you need a wedding planner or are simply looking to learn more about their skillset you’re in luck! We recently chatted with the dynamic duo, The Event Sisters to go over all things wedding planning.

Spoiler alert: they’re not actually sisters. Kate and Bri met while working together in Corporate America, and developed a strong friendship and love for all things weddings. Luckily for all of us, this led to them going into business together and now they help couples all over Vermont bring their wedding dreams to life! Learn more about Kate and Bri below

How did you get into the wedding industry?

Kate: As corny as this may sound, I have always loved LOVE and weddings. When I got engaged, I told my now husband, I want to be engaged for two years so that I can plan every little detail of our wedding myself and little did I know that there were so many details that I didn’t even think of! I could not have been more thankful to have had a Wedding Planner! She took the stress out of the planning so we could enjoy every moment, handled every hiccup that came up on our wedding day (we never even knew anything happened until after the fact) and made sure everything was executed perfectly. I decided to become a Wedding Planner because I love planning, design, organization, networking and because I want couples to feel like I felt on one of the most special days in their life…stress free and able to just take it all in.

Bri: My event planning career started in a former job doing corporate event planning. It gave me the experience and confidence to be able to multitask and execute events of all sizes – from micro, intimate parties to large, elegant affairs. Katie and I met while working in the corporate world and from there it’s history – we’ve been following our passion to planning and growing our business ever since!

How would you describe your style?

Our style is professional, approachable, and family oriented. We always (semi-seriously) joke with our clients that we will be part of the family by the time their wedding is over. In reality, we love to get to know what makes them tick. It allows us to know what types of other vendors and details are perfect for that couple, and how to make their day absolutely brilliant for them.

What inspires your work?

Kate: The couples I get the pleasure of working with. I love to get to know them and their families and truly understand their vision and see the smiles on their faces when it has all been brought to life. My kids also inspire my work. Wedding Planning is a passion of mine. While it is not my full-time job, I want to teach them that they can truly do anything they set their mind to and that doing something that brings you and others joy is so rewarding.

Bri: The feeling of success. Being able to help couples to pull off one of the biggest days of their lives, and ensuring that any problems that arise are taken care of. That smile at the end of the night says it all.

Any special tips for couples? (when it comes to wedding planning or a great wedding tip in general)

Don’t choose a Wedding Planner simply because they’ve worked at your venue before or because they have the most reviews. Every Wedding Planner has to work at a venue for the first time, and some purposely choose to keep the number of events they do each year to a smaller, more intimate number. Take the time to really get to know your Wedding Planner and make sure that you are a good fit. We spend a lot of time together leading up to your wedding day and making sure that your personalities work well together and that you can have fun and laugh together is so important!

What’s your favorite moment during a wedding?

Our favorite moment is when the couple arrives and sees that their vision has been brought to life. The smile that comes across their faces and the tears that come to their eyes, it fills our hearts to know that we played even a small role in their dream wedding day.

What’s your favorite thing to do in VT?

Kate: Love to go to the lake and boat with family and friends.

Bri: Kayaking any of the beautiful lakes and rivers in the state. I also love to check out many of the wonderful farmers’ markets in Vermont and the beautiful variety of local goodies you can find!

If you both had to choose another career, what would it be?

Kate: If I HAD to choose another career, I’d have to go with Interior Designer.

Bri: Lawyer – I love to deep dive into a topic, researching and analyzing every aspect to learn the ins and outs, and tend to like to argue my case.

What’s a fun fact about yourselves?

Kate: I have my degree in Criminal Justice and originally wanted to be an FBI Agent.

Bri: I am a licensed CPA. So outside of the wedding season, you can find me preparing tax returns and audits! (I know – sounds SUPER fun!!)

Thanks Kate and Bri for sharing your story with us! Check out their amazing work and wedding planning packages by visiting their profile in our Vendor Guide

An Intimate Spring Wedding at Farm Road Estate

Posted on September 19, 2023

When a couple loves to dance, you know their first spin around the dance floor as a married couple is going to be a highlight of the evening! That was certainly true for Emily and Ryan who surprised themselves by falling in love with dancing after signing up for lessons together.

Emily and Ryan celebrated at the picturesque Farm Road Estate in West Dover, Vermont, and Kate Seymour Photography was there to capture every twirl. Check out their gallery below!

A Special Day at Farm Road Estate

Emily and Ryan planned for an outdoor ceremony by the pond, followed by dinner and dancing in the main room of the Inn. It was a misty morning as everyone started getting ready, and as the day went on, dark clouds began to roll in, so they decided to move their ceremony into a tent. (Farm Road Estate conveniently keeps one up all summer long.) Emily and Ryan exchanged vows with a backdrop of gentle rain, making it all the more enchanting.

Another special component of the day was the flowers. Instead of real flowers, Emily and her mother spent months meticulously putting together sola wood flowers, which resulted in stunning and unique wooden blooms that adorned the ceremony arch and bouquets.

Surrounded by 60 of their closest friends and family, Emily and Ryan danced the night away. (We love the large glow sticks they provided for guests!) Emily and Ryan’s day was a true celebration of their love story.

Vendors:

Venue: Farm Road Estate, Photographer: Kate Seymour Photography.

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A Vintage Inspired Fall Wedding at Sleepy Hollow Inn

Posted on September 14, 2023

The moment we saw photos from this fall wedding at Sleepy Hollow Inn, we just knew we had to share it with you all. Easy-going and laid-back, Kirsten & Kaio’s personalities shone through on their November wedding day. Despite unexpected snowfall and chilly temperatures, they embraced the magical winter wonderland with open arms.

Their joy in having loved ones gather for a celebration that exuded warmth and love was palpable – and husband and wife photography duo Photos by Kintz was there to capture everything!

Tying the Knot at Sleepy Hollow Inn

Kirsten and Kaio fell in love with the cozy charm of Sleepy Hollow Inn and knew it was the perfect backdrop for their wedding day. Sleepy Hollow Inn features beautiful views of Vermont’s famed Camel’s Hump, a 17 sided round barn to dance the night away in and, as the name suggests, an Inn for a number of guests to stay at. The lovely grounds also include over 30 miles of trails where guests can hike, bike, or cross country ski.

The couple got married on their 5th anniversary. Wood is the traditional gift for a 5th anniversary, which was fitting, since Kirsten is a professional woodworker! In fact, the flowers for the bouquet and boutonnieres for the big day were made out of wood.

Other personal touches included vintage decor, such as classic typewriters, black and white prints, oil lanterns, and doilies on tables. The bride and groom were also styled in throwback threads. (Kirsten wore a crocheted sweater which her mother also wore on her wedding day!) The newlyweds kept the color palette warm and neutral and there was no shortage of twinkly lights and lanterns, adding to the cozy feel. Kaio is Brazilian, so the couple served delicious Brazilian food at the reception to keep guests fueled for an epic night of dancing.

In short: Kirsten and Kaio’s Vermont wedding was equal parts laidback, romantic, and a true blend of their interests and love story.

Vendors:

Venue: Sleepy Hollow Inn, Photographer: Photos by Kintz.

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The Perfect Autumn Wedding at The Equinox in Manchester Vermont

Posted on September 7, 2023

Allie and Nick’s fall wedding at the historic Equinox Resort in Manchester, Vermont shows just how breathtaking Vermont fall weddings can be! From the picturesque outdoor ceremony to the beautiful reception hall, every detail was thoughtfully planned and perfectly executed.

About The Equinox Resort in Manchester, Vermont

The Equinox Golf Resort & Spa is quintessential New England wedding venue. The Resort offers multiple elegant settings with remarkable, majestic mountain views, plenty of on-site activities and dining options and high quality service, making it a wonderful wedding destination no matter the time of year.

Allie and Nick’s wedding was the perfect blend of timeless elegance and Vermont charm! The Equinox Resort’s elegant grounds provided the ideal canvas for this masterpiece of a wedding. The Lincoln Lawn, situated in the middle of the Equinox Resort, provided the perfect backdrop (Check out the view of Mount Equinox in the background!) For their reception, Allie and Nick moved the party indoors to the Colonnade ball room, which incorporated seasonal florals and pumpkins into their decor, which popped against crisp white linens. The combination of natural elements and refined decor created an atmosphere that invited guests to immerse themselves in the beauty of the fall season.

After the couple’s romantic first dance, Silver Arrow Band played live music to keep guests energized all evening long! See all of the beautiful details and special moments captured by Vermont wedding photographer Colette Kulig Photography below.

Vendors:

Venue: The Equinox Resort, Photographer: Colette Kulig Photography, Planner: Destinations Found, Florist: Lily of the Valley Florist, Band: Silver Arrow Band, Hair and Makeup: True Beauty Company.

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A Sweet Summer Celebration at Sugarbush Resort

Posted on September 5, 2023

If you’re looking for a beautiful place to tie the knot, Vermont in the summertime should definitely be at the top of your list! With stunning views, and endless natural beauty, it’s the perfect location for a dreamy outdoor wedding.

Samuel and Courtney celebrated their Vermont summer wedding in a beautiful ceremony held at Sugarbush Resort. They knew they wanted their day to be bright and timeless, so they turned to photographer Sean Hood to capture all the moments from their big day.

Surrounded by family and friends, the couple joyfully exchanged their vows at Sugarbush’s Gate House Lawn as their guests cheered them on. Their dog, Bodhi, even served a dual role as the ring bearer and best boy. (So cute!)

As the evening progressed, the newlyweds partied the night away with music from the band A House on Fire and with an epic karaoke session. Courtney even slipped into a chic reception outfit and sang her heart our to ‘Love Story’ by Taylor Swift. To keep guests fueled for an evening of dancing and fun Vermont staple, Ben & Jerry’s, served up ice cream complete with lots of sprinkles.

Sugarbush Resort: Where Rustic Charm Meets Timeless Elegance

Sugarbush Resort is nestled in the heart of the Mad River Valley in Warren, Vermont. Best known for world class skiing and beautiful fall foliage, it also serves as a perfect wedding backdrop no matter the season! Whether you want an intimate, small wedding of 50-100 guests or a large celebration with 250 friends and family, Sugarbush Resort has the scenery, venues and expertise to bring your wedding vision to life.

The town of Warren, Vermont is home to great recreation activities and filled with quintessential, small town charm. While small, there is no shortage of things to do (think: lots of hiking and biking trails, swimming holes, zipling and golfing!) It is also quick drive to other notable Vermont towns like Waterbury, Stowe and Montpelier for your guests to explore during your wedding weekend.

Vendors:

Venue: Sugarbush Resort, Planner: Alyssa August (with Sugarbush Resort), Photographer: Sean Hood Photography, Videographer: Poulin Productions, Florist: Heavenscent Floral Art, Dessert: Ben & Jerry’s, Dress: Vows Bridal, Hair & Makeup: True Vermont Beauty, Band: A House on Fire.