Entertaining your guests throughout the evening following your ceremony is one of the most important aspects to make this day and night unforgettable for you and your guests. There are hundreds of different wedding evening entertainment activities, but we’ll highlight some of the most popular ones over the last 20 years of wedding photography.
Wedding Evening Entertainment Ideas
Poll Your Peers
Ask friends and family members for recommendations on wedding ceremony musicians and reception DJs, and bands from weddings they’ve recently attended. There’s nothing like a wedding guest to give you an unbiased point of view — who was on the dance floor and who wasn’t.
Analyse the Acoustics
Whom you hire depends on where you’ll marry. You can’t really have string instruments on the beach, or the crashing waves might drown out your violinist. Similarly, a classic formal event will lend itself to big-band sounds, which you would have a tough time getting under a small tent for 100 people.
In your backyard
If you’re marrying in a public place (say, a park), noise restrictions may apply (also true for at-home weddings).
Hear Them First
It’s absolutely necessary to see and hear your wedding musicians before you book them: Before signing any papers, be sure to ask for a videotape and/or sample, or if you can, see them perform live. If you’ve been given a demo CD, make sure you find out who exactly is on the recording — which singers, how many instruments. If they’re showcasing the all-star 12-piece band, and you’re interested in the 9-piece ensemble, the sound may not be an accurate sample.
Think About Overtime
Wedding bands and DJs are typically hired for four hours, but if you think your reception might last longer, consider booking them for five hours. If you spontaneously decide to have them stay longer, You could incur steep overtime fees.
Contract Cues
You must get everything in writing! This includes your performers’ names and contact information, the wedding date and location, and the hours the musicians should play. Agree on a total price (minus any deposit you may have already submitted) and costs for overtime—document requests for the number (and length) of breaks.
Pick With Personality
Sure, you’ve got your first-dance song settled; and you’ve always wanted to dance with your Dad to “Isn’t She Lovely” by Stevie Wonder. But what about other custom tunes of the night?
One for the cake-cutting, one for the bouquet toss, one for your exit dance? Have a little fun with it – playing “Pour Some Sugar on Me” while you slice into your wedding cake will be a sweet treat.
The Do-Not-Play List
It’s probably more important than your “playlist — make your DJ or band swear up and down that they will follow it no matter how much cash Aunt Milly is waving.
Curb Jitters
While you’re dancing, whisper soothing things to each other and keep each other grounded because your adrenaline is going to be going so fast. Try and ask guests to stay off the dance floor during your dance. It can be a significant distraction and catch you off guard.
Burn, Baby, Burn
If you’re using a prerecorded CD for your first-dance song, write down the song’s name and track number for the person in charge of hitting play. Or, better yet, make everyone’s life easier and copy the music on a blank CD, so there’s no mistake. Just bring a backup CD if there’s a problem with the cue.
Clothes Call
Don’t forget to talk to your DJ or bandleader about what he (and/or the group) plans on wearing for your event. Divas in mini skirts may worry your grandma!
Need more ideas? Feel free to discover other wedding evening entertainment ideas.