Skip to main content

6 Great Ways to Keep Your Guests Entertained While They Await Your Arrival


The ceremony is complete and the reception is about to begin! You know the drill ... your guests head to the venue while you, your groom, and your wedding party take some time for photographs. The post ceremony photo shoot can easily take 45 minutes to an hour, so it's important to keep your wedding guests entertained while they await your arrival.

Here are 6 great ways to keep your guests not only occupied, but having a blast until your grand entrance!


1. Start with a Cocktail Hour ... but not just any old cocktail hour. Create a signature drink for the event, or have two signature cocktails ... one chosen by the bride and one chosen by the groom. Be creative with your selection.  If you are going to Maui for your honeymoon, serve something tropical. If your first date was at a winery, offer a wine and cheese pairing. The most important part is to let your guests know the story behind your selection. Create small post cards or table cards with your engagement photo and a short narrative to share. A personalized signature cocktail sign  adds a nice decorative touch, as well!

Signature Cocktail Sign
Personalized Signature Cocktail Sign 
2. Place Advice Cards Around the Room ... this is a wonderful way to engage your guests. People love to share advice, especially when it comes to marriage. You and your groom will have a great time reading all the notes from your wedding guests after the event and there's no doubt the notes will become cherished keepsakes in the future.
wedding advice coasters
Wedding Advice Coasters


childrens wedding activity kit
Children's Wedding Activity Kit
3. Provide the children with a small bundle of crayons and wedding coloring books to keep them busy. Considering setting up a "kids" table at the reception venue that has everything on it awaiting their arrival.  Children will also stay entertained for hours with small bottles of wedding bubbles.

4. Show a video collage of you and your groom growing up, combined with photos from your various dates, trips, and engagement period. Include a photo collection displayed at the reception for guests to look at together. Many brides display wedding photos from grandparents and parents. This is always a favorite of friends and family.

5. Have a wedding photo booth. These have become very popular at wedding receptions and are fun for guests of any age.  Provide props and accessories that match your theme. Offer a personalized photo booth background and let your guests pose to create their OWN wedding favors! You'll love looking at all the photos after the wedding, as well. We also suggest you have wedding cameras at the reception.  Your guests will have fun taking pictures from their perspective. Suggest they start taking pictures when they arrive to occupy them.
wedding photo booth backdrop
Personalized Wedding Photo Booth Backdrop

6. Start the party the minute the guests arrive with an entertainer for the first hour.  Bring in a roving magician or have your DJ interact with your guests and MC a trivia game about your courtship.  What a great way to start the fun!

Your post ceremony photo shoot is an important part of capturing your wedding story, so relax and take your time with it. As long as your wedding guests have something to entertain them at the reception venue when they arrive, they will enjoy the evening and they won't be antsy for your arrival.


~ The WhereBridesGo.com Team
Take 15% off your entire order at WhereBridesGo.com with coupon code WHATBRIDESLOVE, plus get FREE SHIPPING on orders over $100.

Where brides go®  ... for what brides love! For a great selection of affordable wedding supplies,wedding accessories, and wedding cake tops, check out WhereBridesGo.com!  

For more ideas, wedding favors and accessories, check out WhereBridesGo.com! 
Connect with WhereBridesGo.com online!
Follow us on Twitter @wherebridesgo
LIKE US on Facebook!
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Ultimate Wedding Planning Checklist

There's no need to be  overwhelmed with the thought of planning your big day. Sit down, take a deep breath, grab a cup of tea or a glass of wine and look over our popular 12-month planning guide. Planning a wedding is simply a matter of getting organized. 11-12 Months Before the Wedding Officially announce your engagement online and in your local paper. Bride's Planning Tote Decide on a time and date for the wedding. Decide style of ceremony (size, setting, formality, etc.). Contact a wedding officiate. Arrange for your families to meet if they haven't met before. Develop a budget and decide who will pay for what. Begin compiling your guest list. Visit and reserve your reception venue. 9-10 Months Before the Wedding Order your wedding gown and determine who will make any necessary alterations. Choose your wedding party. Decide on a color scheme (consider the recepti...
2 comments
Read more

The Ultimate Wedding Party Responsibilities Checklist

Planning a wedding and participating in a wedding can be a daunting task. Traditionally, wedding party members all have very distinct roles to help with the process and make life easier on the bride and groom. This wedding party responsibilities checklist can serve as a guideline to help you get a grip on who does what. Customize this list to meet the unique needs for your wedding party. Bride and Groom : Together Decide on your budget. Consult with your parents, if they are paying for or contributing to the wedding. Decide on and set the style, wedding theme , date, time, and the place of ceremony and reception. Make the reservations and deposits. Meet with your wedding officiate and participate in any premarital counseling required. Order your Save-the-...
1 comment
Read more

8 Tips to Save Money on Your Wedding Flowers

Yes, you CAN have a beautiful wedding with wonderful flowers -- without breaking the bank. All you need is a little creativity and these eight tips to help cut your floral costs. Integrate festive balloons with your floral arrangements. Balloons are decidedly less expensive than flowers and they can be used at your reception venue to provide an elegant and festive atmosphere. Many balloon artists are now mixing balloons with pretty white lights for evening weddings. These are beautiful! Select flowers that are in season. Selecting flowers in season will dramatically cut your costs. If you have your heart set on exotic flowers that either out-of-season or hard to get in your region, consider using silk flowers instead. Limit the size of your wed...
1 comment
Read more