Weddings are many things. Exciting, scary, expensive, and really the entire gamut of adjectives and attributes that lie along the spectrum of human emotions. However, in most cases, they tend to be solemn affairs that portray the very serious and poignant point that they are the day when two people will become one in union. While that usually remains true for the wedding proper, there is no reason to continue this seriousness into the subsequent reception. In fact, most modern wedding receptions have become events that try to bring a little more fun into proceedings, partly to help the bride and groom let off a little steam from the months and months of planning but also to ensure that everyone can appreciate the joyensess of the occasion. To that end, we have compiled a few interesting and exciting additions that will turn any wedding reception from your average, bog-standard affair into something utterly unforgettable.
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Photo Opportunities And Memories
If there is one thing that defines a wedding (apart from the joining in matrimony, of course), it is the sheer number of photos and videos that arise from such an event! These occasions tend to be so photogenic that most people simply can’t avoid overloading the Instagram servers with so many terabytes of images that they take throughout the wedding day. There is nothing wrong with this, obviously, but why not set up a station where you can make the entire process of gathering memories a tad more interactive and social? To achieve this, you can contact any of the raft of companies offering modern selfie booth solutions in whatever area you’re organizing your wedding party. Due to the nature of these machines, they can be placed almost anywhere within the facility, as long as they are protected from the elements and kept away from any lighting that might compromise the image. They also come in a variety of options, ranging from standard selfie photo machines that take static images to full-blown 360-degree video booths where you can create an incredibly unique video that revolves around a person or group of people. While you will still need a professional wedding photographer for your primary images, these selfie booths can elevate your after-party to new heights and ensure that your guests can get in on the fun and take home a keepsake for themselves.
Interactive Food Stations
Reading through this post, you might conclude that the term “interactive” is a new buzzword that has suddenly taken the wedding world by storm. The truth is, however, that incorporating a level of interactivity into proceedings can transform a regular party into something that remains high-energy and full of fun. When you allow your guests to participate in the fun rather than merely being passive attendees, you will find that your entire wedding day gets a boost in fun and style. One of the higher-level stresses that are attached to planning your wedding involves catering and ensuring that you get it right so that you don’t leave your many guests without sustenance and angry from lack of energy. But what can you do to elevate your average wedding catering? Well, by making it interactive, of course! Interactive catering has become a new way of ensuring that many people are fed while also making the process more engaging. Nowadays, many catering companies will offer this as a service, so if you’re unsure how to move forward, you can contact a few to get some quotes and a better idea of how they work. But in nominal terms, they are stations that offer a more dynamic way to eat food. For example, you could have multiple different stations around the palace that offer your guests the chance to create their own meals. This can include:
- Made-to-order pasta station: Pasta stations are consistently popular. Guests have the option to select their preferred pasta type, sauce, and toppings, all freshly made by a chef right on the spot.
- Taco and nacho bar: Everyone likes tacos, and because you can make them as meat-heavy or vegetarian as you want, you can avoid worrying about catering to everyone’s individual needs.
- Slider station: Just as with the other options, you can set up a station that is purely dedicated to the humble slider. This will be a massive hit with the younger guests, and when the kids have been fed, the parents can relax a bit more, creating a calmer atmosphere for all!
- Dessert stations: Dessert stations, such as DIY cupcake bars or chocolate fountains with dippable items, are sure to delight all attendees.
- Drink stations: We will cover the drinks a bit later, but these stations can be used for both soft drinks and alcoholic beverages.
Entertainment That Involves Everyone
Whoever said that a wedding reception has to be a formal affair where people arrive and spend the rest of the time sitting behind a table? Obviously, the choice is yours on how you want to have your wedding, but if you are more interested in having fun than conforming to tradition, you might want to consider setting up entertainment options that allow everyone to enjoy themselves. Although many of our suggestions would work incredibly well in almost any wedding situation, you do need to be aware that some, like a flower station, could add an additional expense to your budget, so you must plan accordingly.
- Unique activities: When it comes to planning unique activities, there is really no limit to what you can do. This will also depend heavily on what you enjoy and the theme of your wedding. For instance, if you are an environmentalist, you might encourage everyone to plant a tree as a celebration of the day.
- DIY flower crown station: Flower crowns have become a popular pastime for a lot of folks, and a wedding is the perfect event where this activity makes the most sense. You can create a station replete with a range of beautiful flowers and leaves, where your guests can spend a bit of time channeling their inner florist.
- Bonfire with storytelling: Whether you hire a professional storyteller or simply allow people to sit around and spin their own yarns is up to you. But what is vital, however, is setting up a fire pit where you can light a bonfire that sparks creativity in the minds of all who sit around it and watch the flames flicker.
- Lawn games for outdoor fun: Lawn games can be an easy win for those who are unsure what else to add. They consist of various games (just check online for some examples), and in most cases, they won’t cost you a fortune.
Interactive Guest Books Connected To A Digital Display
Most weddings will contain some kind of guest book where your guests will write something nice about the happy couple and the day itself. Many couples keep this as part of their memories from the big day and use it as a way to look back and remember the joy that day created for all. But if you want to bring it into the 21st century, you might look at ways of making it a bit more interactive (yes, that word again!) The easiest way to achieve this is by hooking up a camera that looks down on the pages and is linked in real time to a monitor. It also ensures that some of your more rambunctious younger guests don’t write anything too risqué since it will be in full display for all attendees.
Live Entertainment Keeps Guests Engaged
There is something about live music that people just go crazy for. You just need to look at the number of people who attended live events to see how popular they are. As such, you should seriously consider including a live element to the party to get your family and friends up on their feet and dancing around. This could be a live DJ, a band, or a mix of different elements. You can choose based on your preference and budget, and as long as it’s live, you should find all your guests having a great time!
A Cocktail Bar Where Guests Can Design Their Own Drinks
The idea of an open bar can be a sweat-inducing one for many couples, as it tends to add an enormous cost to the event. You had better believe that if there is the possibility of free drinks all night, people are going to make maximum use of it. So, if you’re looking for something a little more budget-conscious, you might want to consider avoiding it or making it a paid option. Setting up a cocktail bar can add a lot of sophistication to a wedding party and gives your guests the chance to indulge in more than your usual house wine or bottles of lager.
Fireworks Display To End Night
The piste du resistance for any party should be a fireworks display at the end of the night. There is no better way to culminate what has hopefully been one of the best, most memorable events of your life than by including a set of fireworks that amaze and awe. It also acts as a sort of indication that the night is about to wear down so that you can take a sigh of relief and begin to embark on this new chapter of your life.
A wedding is about more than the sum of its parts. It is an entire event that showcases your love for one another and often includes your closest friends and family to join in the celebrations. You can use the ideas in this post to come up with something a little more unique than your average reception and see your wedding apart from others.
