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.
 
Photo Credit: Pixel Pod
Photo Credit: Colette Kulig

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!

Photo Credit: Hannah Photography
Photo Credit: Crazy Cotton Candy Lady

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.

 

Photo Credit: Sisters of Anarchy
Photo Credit: The Event Sisters

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.

Your Next Read:

Looking for even more unique reception ideas? Check out the submissions from our Best of 2022: Reception Details blog post.

Looking for more wedding inspiration? Check out any of these.

Trend Alert: How to Incorporate Flower Walls in Your Wedding Decor

Posted on May 18, 2023

Are you looking to add a touch of beauty to your upcoming wedding, engagement, or party? Want to wow your guests? Look no further than flower walls! Not only are these installations a breathtaking addition to any event, but they also provide a multitude of benefits.

Kaylen, the mastermind behind Day of Rentals, recently launched a rental service to bring these stunning displays to Vermont. (Fun fact: she is also the wedding planner behind Sara Judith Events!) We recently sat down with Kaylen to learn more about this unique and gorgeous wedding trend, and can’t wait to share her tips with you below.

Creating Your Dream Wedding with Flower Walls: Tips from Day of Rentals

First and foremost, flower walls serve as a stunning backdrop for your event. Whether you’re saying your vows or taking photos with friends, these floral displays create an eye-catching and unique scene. With a variety of colors and flower types to choose from, you can customize your wall to perfectly match your event’s theme and ambiance.

“Flower walls can dress up any space!” says Kaylen. “Whether it’s a barn, hotel, or tent, a flower wall will bring that wow factor!”

Where To Use Flower Walls at Your Wedding

Honestly, you could use these just about anywhere… but here are a few of our favorite ideas:

  1. Ceremony Backdrop: Use a flower wall as a backdrop for your wedding ceremony to create a beautiful focal point for you and your partner as you exchange vows.

  2. Photo Booth: Set up a flower wall as a unique and memorable photo booth backdrop.

  3. Escort Card Display: Use a flower wall as a creative display for your escort cards.

  4. Welcome Champagne Toast Display: Welcome your guests with a memorable “ring for champagne” flower wall. (This is sure to start the party on a high note!)

  5. Sweetheart Table: Create a romantic backdrop by placing a flower wall behind your sweetheart table.

  6. Cake Display: Use a flower wall as a backdrop for your wedding cake display. It’ll make your cake stand out and create a beautiful photo opportunity.

  7. Lounge Area: Create a cozy lounge area for guests to relax by placing a flower wall behind some comfortable seating.

Kaylen shared that couples will also book flower walls for proposals (talk about a fun photo opportunity) or showers/engagement parties. The opportunities are endless! 

In addition to being visually appealing, floral walls can also serve practical purposes. For outdoor events, they can provide shade and protection from the sun. Additionally, they can be used to hide unsightly areas or create a more intimate atmosphere. Plus, they can serve as a beautiful focal point for guests to gather around and take photos.

With a variety of walls to choose from, and more inventory launching this summer, Day of Rentals is sure to have an option to fit your style. From classic greenery to bolder colors, there are so many ways to add a bit of drama to your event! You can further customize the display with a wooden or neon sign with your family last name or wedding hashtag.

5 Questions We're Always Asking...

Kaylen, how would you describe your style? 

As a planner, I love helping to design the pretty details that are personal to each couple!

What inspires your work?

Providing an affordable wow factor for couples!

What’s your favorite moment during a wedding? 

The couple seeing their aesthetic vision brought to life!

What’s your favorite thing to do in VT?

Anything outdoors, all seasons!

What’s a fun fact about yourself? 

I’m obsessed with raccoons- I think they are so cute!

 

Reserving Flower Walls For Your Wedding or Event

As mentioned, Kaylen, the artist behind the walls, is also a wedding planner. Couples can book floral walls as a standalone service, or as part of the planning services that she provides through Sara Judith Events. Day of Rentals still has some availability for 2023 and is booking 2024 dates now – check out her profile to learn more!

A flower wall installation is a beautiful addition to any celebration. It not only serves a practical purpose, but also creates a memorable and enchanting atmosphere – perfect for a dreamy wedding.

Your Next Read:

Want to learn more about Kaylen? Check out her Meet The Pros interview!

Looking for other stellar vendors for your big day? Browse our Vendor Guide.

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