It can be hard to know how to keep your guests entertained during your wedding. You could leave them to just talk but having something extra can make the day much more enjoyable. Let's start with the ceremony; there's no need for entertainment during this time as the focus is on the Bride and Groom but a lovely idea I've seen at a couple of weddings is having live singers or musicians playing music whilst the bride walks down the aisle and when they exit as husband and wife. I think it adds an extra level of intimacy and makes the moment really special.
The main time when having entertainment can be a great addition to the day is during the drinks reception which is usually a couple of hours long. Canapés and cocktails are usually served during this time but why not make it more fun with some games?
Garden Games (my favourite)
Games for kids are a must but lots of these examples are great for adults too. Some of my favourite garden games are mini golf, giant jenga, connect four, ring toss, bowls and croquet.
Magician
The most popular wedding entertainment I've seen is having a magician, they're amazing, they entertain the guests and their reactions make for some incredible photos. My personal favourite is Nick Crown but there's so many great magicians so have a look around your local area.
Caricature Artist
Another great idea is having a caricature artist draw your guests, this gives them a great little gift to take home and they often laugh at the result.
Music
Singers and musicians are also great for your drinks reception as they create a nice atmosphere. You could have a sax player, a violinist, a steel pan band, a guitarist, or singers.
Animals
Maybe a bit of a weird one but a wedding I went to had hired two Llamas for the guests to feed, pet and take photos with, they were very popular with the guests and also have a massive shock factor when people first see them.
Entertainment for Kids
If you're having a lot of children at your wedding it might be worth hiring a kids entertainer, they keep the children busy with things like dancing, games and balloon animals so the adults can have a chat and enjoy their day, they're 100% worth having. Other ideas for kids include hiring a soft play set, bubble wands, colouring books, and bouncy castles are also great!
Next is the wedding breakfast and speeches. Usually no entertainment is needed for this part of the day as everyone is busy eating but it might be a good idea to get activity packs for the smaller children. A wedding I photographed had a quiz during their wedding breakfast which was an afternoon tea which I thought was a great idea. They had a DJ who lead the quiz, guests played on an online site where they could put their answers, they had prizes given out to the top three teams at the end.
Finally we're at the best part of the night; the party. Now most people will have a DJ or a band which will get the party started, I think live singers are great because they can interact with the guests and create a lively atmosphere. The best band I've seen do this are called Jam Hot, they got on the dance floor, danced with guests and let the bride sing, I will remember that night for a long time. Other things you can have for the evening include a casino games, sparklers, a photo booth, magic mirror or glitter bar.
I hope this has given you some ideas to get started on your wedding planning!