Wedding entertainment has changed greatly in recent times and these days there are many more options to choose from apart from just a wedding band and DJ.
It is a daunting task choosing wedding entertainment, as it has to appeal to the guests, be special for the bride, and groom. Above all wedding entertainers need to be professional, reliable and be able to generate the right atmosphere for the crowd and the venue.
Take into account the age range of the guests at the wedding and make sure the right mix of old standards, newer tunes and favourites are all in the wedding playlist.
It may seem obvious, but before you book an entertainment act, be sure to go and see them perform. Most wedding bands and performers encourage this and you can then be certain they are right for you. Bear in mind the sooner this is done the better, as bookings need to be made well in advance. In the case of musicians, check with the wedding venue and see if there are any noise restrictions or time restrictions, this may restrict your choices. Using a reputable entertainment agency or wedding planner will ensure things go without a hitch.
If you are having a sophisticated affair with a formal sit down dinner, then a classical music quartet or harpist to play throughout the meal is discrete and creates a beautiful ambience at the reception. It is always nice to have a lone musician playing as guests arrive a venue. Harpists are always a great choice or a pianist. As the meal is in progress, living statues coming to life or amazed by a close up magician who travels from table to table-performing tricks, can delight guests. At the end of the meal when the speeches are done, everyone can kick back and enjoy a small cabaret show with a dance routine before the bride and groom have their first dance. This type of entertainment works well for a medium to large-scale wedding in a formal setting.
Small self-organised weddings where the bride, groom, friends, and family are all involved in the big day lend themselves to fun alternative entertainment acts such as circus performers or comedians to break the ice and get some audience participation going. With a great band, this is just the sort of fun wedding that is memorable for everyone.
Something special for wedding guests and the bride and groom is a sketch or cartoon and caricature artist hired for a couple of hours during the reception. What a great surprise for bride and groom to start their married life with a personal keepsake to treasure from their wedding day. Other guests will enjoy having their picture drawn and it makes a special and unusual souvenir of a special day.
Audience participation is something that every wedding guest enjoys once the reception is underway. One real icebreaker is limbo dancing and it is great fun for children and adults, although it may be wise for the bride to abstain in all her finery!
Research is so important to make sure you get the entertainment that suits you and your pocket. The internet is a great source to find unusual ideas but also word of mouth is always a great recommendation.
Above all, never forget to have your wedding videographer on hand to film all of the fun and capture those “candid” moments.