We had an interesting note sent to us through the site, asking a good question:
Of course beautiful vows and loving family and friends always make a wedding, but as a planner or guest what have been the best 'ideas' reception or entertainment wise you've seen over the years?
I work in the industry (as a photographer and for a bridal mag) and I'm organising my own wedding. Everyone expects it to be different because I see so much but I actually don't see that much which is different
The best wedding reception entertainment ideas I've seen
Responding to the first part, two things spring to mind. One was a balloon artist at a wedding reception a few years ago who made balloon hats and swords as well as animals. Soon myself and other friends were having mock duels with the balloons swords and having more fun than the children! It was a great way to keep the kids – young and old – entertained during the photos. I went to five wedding that year, and it was so nice to have something fun during that slow part of the day.
The second one that occurs to me is one I saw last weekend in a very rainy Leicestershire. The couple had a 'Big Brother Diary Room' style booth. When you walked in, it started recording immediately, and you could see yourself on a little screen above the video camera so you could check you were in shot (but that did freak me out a little too!) to leave your message. The very first one they'll see is my three year old son wondering in and trying to get on the big red chair, something I hope will make them smile! Whilst it wasn't entertainment per se, I thought it was a great idea leading to a lovely memento for the couple.
The issue of originality in wedding planning
The second part of the note is understandable when one works in the industry – photographers see dozens of weddings a year and so seeing something original would be very hard. So (in my humble opinion of course) I'd try not to think about finding something different because everyone expects it – as long as it's the wedding you want, that's all that matters.
For those of you not in the wedding industry, there is even less concern – most of your guests won't have been to dozens of weddings, some may have been to a few in the same year if it's that phase when friends pair off and marry, but still, not anywhere near the number a professional would see. Is having a wedding with something original in it something you worry about?
Over to you!
I'd love to hear about the best ideas you've seen for reception entertainment over the years – it doesn't have to be original, just tell us why you liked it so much! We'll be chatting about this over at the Facebook page too so if you have a mo, drop in there (and if you like the page and become a fan, you're automatically entered into our monthly prize draw for Marks and Spencers vouchers.)
