Planning a wedding is no easy feat. There are a lot of different aspects to think about, from where, when, and how your wedding will be to who will marry you and where to get your marriage license. You’ve got wedding themes to choose from, dozens of wedding reception ideas, wedding food ideas, and so much more.

If we’re being honest, wedding planning can be overwhelming, not to mention exhausting. 

That’s why we put together a list of our favorite wedding entertainment ideas so that when it comes time to plan the party element of your big day, you’ve got a guide to help you.

So once you’ve got your wedding bar taken care of, check out our favorite wedding games and wedding entertainment ideas to make your wedding reception spectacular and wow your guests.

 

Wedding Games Get Guests In the Mood

From cocktail hour through the reception, there are plenty of ways to keep your guests entertained other than dancing and eating.

Immediately after the ceremony, you’ll be pulled away from more pictures, so make sure you give your guests something to do besides standing around. Simple games are the best way to do that (in addition to drinks and snacks!)

Corn hole, Giant Jenga, Connect Four, and Tic-Tac-Toe are all classic games that can keep people occupied, and the best thing is you can personalize them! Have guests write well wishes on Jenga pieces for a special wedding guestbook, put your faces on game pieces, and more. 

More fun and easy games for your reception that your guests can play during a dance break: wedding mad libs, wedding crossword, and a wedding scavenger hunt. Give your guests a covert list of everything they’ll find at your wedding to ensure they don’t miss a thing!

There are also plenty of wedding games that can be played as a big group.

 

Play Wedding Trivia

They’re all invited to your wedding, but how well do your guests really know you? If dancing isn’t really your thing, or you won’t to keep the energy up during dinner, wedding trivia is the perfect entertainment. Write trivia questions about things the you and your partner love or ask questions about yourselves! This fun idea creates a competitive (but fun) environment that will bring out your guests’ competitive sides.

Make sure there is a good mix of both easy and challenging questions. For added effort from your guests, send the winner home with a prize!

 

Have a Dance Off

Sometimes, getting guests to the dance floor is the hardest part. So make it more of a game!

Have your guests show off their favorite dance routines. A dance-off can be a great icebreaker to get your guests out on the dance floor. You can play the classic dance songs like Electric Slide and Cupid Shuffle or you can bust out the latest TikTok dance trends.

Choose songs that everyone will dance to, or ask each guest for the music they want to dance to before the wedding so your DJ or band can have those songs prepared and ready to go.

 

Make it a Murder Mystery

If you’re a lover of mysteries and riddles, you can’t go wrong here. The bigger, the better with these types of games. Set up your own murder mystery mayhem at your wedding, and the guests will have the time of their lives.

Better still, make your entire wedding theme a “murder mystery” set in whatever era you’d like, and have your guests dress the parts. That would be a killer (see what we did there?) wedding.

 

Make Your Music More Than Simple Wedding Entertainment

Plenty of people think wedding music is about DJ vs. band and nothing else, but a lot more thought goes into choosing your wedding music than flipping a coin. 

The DJ or band you hire will set the tone for your reception, so it’s important to really do your research.

 

Get A DJ Who’s About More Than Music

This one seems obvious, and it goes without saying that music is an expected part of your wedding entertainment. But a good DJ is much more than someone playing songs off their laptop. The right DJ can be the difference between your guests partying and filling up the dance floor or sitting at their tables waiting for the cake to be served so they can leave. A great wedding DJ will keep your guests hyped throughout the evening—with the right music and games!—they know when to stay quiet, and they’ll follow your song list and make the right suggestions based on your guests.

Besides the music, your DJ will likely also be the emcee for your wedding reception. They’ll introduce you and your bridal party to the reception and follow your wedding timeline to guide everyone through all of the memorable moments you have planned.

Look around town for a DJ with good reviews, or ask your wedding venue for some recommendations. Then make sure to meet with a DJ before booking them to see if they match your personality and will follow your style.

 

A Live Band Makes Your Wedding Feel Like a Concert

There’s something different about hearing your favorite songs performed by a live band. If you love live music, consider booking a band to perform at your wedding.

If you have a favorite local group, reach out to them to see if they would be interested in performing at your wedding. Or, hire one you find via Google or word of mouth. Just make sure they can play the style of music you like. In other words, don’t hire a country band when you really want to dance to some hip-hop at your wedding.

Another option is to hire both a DJ and a live band. You can have a live band perform during cocktail hour and dinner while the DJ handles reception!

Bonus: If you, your fiancé, or anyone on the guest list is a skilled musician, make them a brief part of your wedding entertainment for a unique experience!

 

Do a Choreographed Dance With the Whole Crowd

A special choreographed first dance is a newer wedding trend, so expand that into something that brings all your guests into the mix!

Talk with your wedding planner and DJ or band about some easy dance steps that guests of all ages can do as a way to get everyone on the dance floor for a least a song or two. 

 

 

More Wedding Entertainment Ideas Everyone Loves

Some of these ideas are classics and wedding staples while some are more modern ideas. Remember, this is YOUR big day so choose whatever fits best with your wedding goals and budget. 

Everyone Loves a Wedding Photo Booth

There are a lot of different options when it comes to photo booths, from silly to sophisticated and everything in between.

Most photo booth rental companies will offer packages of at least three hours. This gives you the flexibility to have the photo booth not just for your reception but as a fun activity for cocktail hour as well. That way, guests can enjoy the photo booth while you’re taking formal wedding photos with the bridal party and immediate family.

Photo booth rentals are a surefire way to entertain your guests. And as an added bonus, you’ll have plenty of fun pictures of your guests that you might not otherwise have! You can make your photo booth entirely your own with custom backdrops, adding your wedding hashtag to the photos, choosing a digital photo booth with social sharing capability, and much more.

Wedding Bar and Signature Cocktails

Out with the old and in with the new! An open bar is great, but what if you crafted your own signature drinks that really spoke to who you are as a couple?

There are almost endless possibilities from colorful creations for the more eccentric to sophisticated mimosas to wow your guests!

Caricatures and Live Artwork

Having a live artist doing caricatures at your wedding provides entertainment and could serve as wedding favors as well. Instead of the same old monogrammed gifts with your wedding date stamped on them, why not allow your friends and family to leave with something unique that they’ll cherish forever?

Live artists are another great wedding trend your guests will marvel at. Hire a live wedding painter to capture your ceremony, first dance, or any other special moment and you’ve got a wonderful keepsake plus something amazing for your guests to watch during the night. 

Firework Extravaganza

You’ve seen fireworks at theme parks or on the 4th of July, but what if they were at your wedding? What better way to commemorate your special day than fireworks to share with your guests and to celebrate the union with the love of your life.

A fireworks extravaganza will be an unforgettable experience for you and everyone who is sharing your special day with you. Naturally, this isn’t an option for most wedding venues, so before buying the fireworks, make sure your venue can accommodate this particular request. Fun fact: Kendall Point is all about the fireworks display across the beauty Texas Hill Country sky!

 

Find a Venue the Fits All Your Wedding Ideas

Wedding planning is supposed to be fun and exciting, not stressful and mundane. Your wedding can eb whatever you want it to be, and it certainly doesn’t have to be 100% traditional.

If you love the traditional wedding entertainment ideas, go for it. After all, it’s your day! But if your tastes are little more quirky, there’s nothing wrong with that either.

At Kendall Point, we are here for you every step of the way. From our vendor list to our included amenities, we aim to eliminate the stress of planning your wedding. Call us to schedule a tour so we can get you on the road to happily ever after!