Inspiration and tips for a memorable wedding day

Best Ways to Entertain your Wedding Guests

Finding the best ways to entertain your wedding guests depends on various factors such as the number of people attending, the type of venue and whether your celebration is held indoors or outdoors. For example, trivia games are perfectly acceptable for a reception hall while lawn games are an ideal entertainment idea for backyard weddings.

There are several reasons why it’s important to plan activities for your guests. Consider the amount of time your guests will have to keep busy between the ceremony and reception. Cocktail hours are always appreciated but if over-extended, some guests could become annoyed or even worse … get drunk before the reception. Evaluate your wedding day timeline carefully to see if there are any periods that require tender-loving interactive ideas to keep your guests in line with the program.

Helping your guests who are seated at the same table to mingle and feel more at ease before the meal is always smart. Providing them with trivia and game cards is not only a great way to entertain your guests but it will also serve as an icebreaker and conversation starter which will set the mood for a memorable party time!

Starting from the time your guests arrive for cocktails, there are perfect occasions to have something extra special to entertain your guests. Here are a few ideas to add the unexpected to your big day:

Reception table game & couple quizMagician show
Live musician performerCircus performer
Dance showDisposable cameras
Limbo competitionVideo of the newlyweds
Portrait painterPhoto booth
CaricaturistInteractive guest book
Palm readerSweet table | Smore’s station
Karaoke contestFood truck
Lawn gamesMidnight feast
Fire performerSparkler send off

Continue below for creative interactive ideas to get your guests out of their seats. For additional information on any of the items, simply click on the provided link and you’ll be directed to our specially hand picked merchants.

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When your guests enter the reception venue and see the seating chart, have each couple or guest replace the table escort card for a Polaroid photo taken of themselves. By the time all the guests have arrived, your frame will be empty of escort cards but wonderfully filled with photos of all your guests. This beautiful rustic wood frame is made in the style of barn wood or driftwood and comes with your choice of color and 60 or 70 clothespins also of natural wood. Each frame is handcrafted and makes for a unique keepsake to display in your home afterwards.

Polaroid Photo Frame Escort Card Holder
TheMountainBluebird (Etsy Store) – Polaroid Photo Frame Escort Card Holder

These ‘Guess Who’ trivia cards make for a fun way to entertain your guests during the reception. Set them up at each place setting for an ideal ice-breaker/conversation starter activity.

Guess Who Trivia Place Setting Cards are a Way to Entertain your Wedding Guests
GreatestDayEvents (Etsy Store) – Guess Who Trivia Place Setting Cards

Similar to advice cards, these ‘Bride & Groom’ score cards have a hilarious side to them. Your guests will enjoy filling them in with funny notes and jokes for you to look back and laugh while celebrating your first wedding anniversary.

Bride & Groom Score Cards | Guests Interactive Idea
NinaThomasStudio (Etsy Store) – Bride & Groom Score Cards

On your special day you’ll want to capture the many precious moments happening all around you. Single use disposable cameras will not only will keep your guests busy for a while, they’re also well-worth it for collecting photos of your guests in action. This disposable 16 exposure camera in ivory with gold hearts has a built in flash and can be used both indoors and outdoors. 

Single Use Wedding Disposable Camera
pbpaperie (Etsy Store) – Wedding Disposable Single Use Camera

Elevate the functionality of a traditional guest book with these self-adhesive photo pockets. Have your guests take their photos to be include in your album along with their best wishes. Not only does it make for a creative way to entertain your guests, this awesome book will become a cherished memento of your big day.

Photo Pockets Wedding Guest Book
Arcoalbum (Etsy Store) – Self-adhesive Photo Pockets

This unique record wedding guest book allows your guests to write their favorite song, album or their own wedding song inside.  Each book is custom made just for you and feature a personalization with the text of your choice, all printed and bound with the number of pages you require.

Record Wedding Guest Book
NoOrdinaryEmporium (Etsy Store) – Record Wedding Guest Book

Personalized with your names and the date of your wedding, these giant tumble blocks are a big hit for outdoors weddings. Fully built, the blocks go as tall as 5 feet! Have your guests sign a block for a cherished guest book alternative.

Personalized Giant Tumble Blocks For Weddings
YayDayDesigns (Etsy Store) – Personalized Giant Tumble Blocks For Weddings

For a unique guest book alternative, this impressive paint by number canvas is a great idea. Featuring a photo of the couple, your guests will have lots of fun taking part in bringing the painting to life. Have your guests sign it and hang the canvas at home for a one of a kind memento of your special day.

Paint by Number Wedding Guest Book Alternative
NeveKnewINeeded (Etsy Store) – Paint by Number Wedding Guest Book Alternative

A personalized wedding quilt guess book makes for an heirloom worthy of passing down to future generations. With this quilt guess book kit you need only choose the number of quilt squares you need, your color preferences, and then have your guests write a special note on their squares. If you wish to have this crafty artisan complete your quilt, they’ll do it in an heart beat!

Personalized Guest Book Quilt Kit
SweetonStichesEtsy (etsy Store) – Personalized Guest Book Quilt Kit

Your evening dance is by far where your guests will be the most engaged. Make it easy for them to hit the dance floor by pampering them with ballet flats. These wedding guest slippers are sold in bulk in your choice of gold, nude, silver, ivory, grey, and black and comes with a matching wristlet tote making for a wonderful and practical gift for your guests.

Bulk Slippers for Wedding Guests
Cinderollies (Etsy Store) – Bulk Slippers for Wedding Guests

Get your guests involved in your big day by providing them with song request cards. Having your D.J. play your guests’ favorite songs is a sure way to keep the party going!

Wedding Song Request Cards
RubyandOphelia (Etsy Store) – Wedding Song Request Cards

Get your guest’s create juices flowing by having them write a date night idea for you. Drawing experience from older couples is a wonderful way to both entertain and draw inspiration. This date night jar personalized with your name is perfect for collecting ideas from your guests.

LoveInTheCityShop (Etsy Shop) – Date Night Jar

Have your guests use props and strike a pose with these charming rustic printable photo props. You need only download this set of 10 props and glue them to bamboo sticks for a fun and trendy way to entertain your guests.

Rustic Printable Photo Booth Props - Ways to Entertain your Guests
SarahMarieKays (Etsy Shop) – Rustic Printable Photo Booth Props

A sparkle send-off always creates excitement among guests. It’s the last hooray of your big day and doing it in style with this specially designed bucket for sparklers (including custom tags) is the way to go! Choose your favorite design and personalize it with your names and the date of your wedding for a unique way to present the sparklers. For the best selection of wedding sparklers please visit our preferred source.

Wedding Sparkler Bucket & Custom Tags
PinkCloverUSA (Etsy Store) – Wedding Sparkler Bucket & Custom Tags

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