10 Wedding Reception Activities That Aren’t Dancing
Some people love breaking it down on the dance floor to the hot hits of the early 2000s, but let’s face it, dancing isn’t for everyone. Instead of avoiding the dance floor, what if you took out the dancing portion altogether?
Modern weddings are more interactive and creative than ever, especially for couples here at Cornman Farms. If you and your partner are interested in exploring other ways to entertain your guests, here are 10 wedding reception activities that are practically guaranteed to make a splash.
Do you have to have dancing at your wedding?
Of course not! It’s your wedding—you can have whatever entertainment you want. You can have dancing in conjunction with other activities, or you can skip the dancing altogether. The key is to create an environment where your guests can have fun and celebrate your special day in a way that feels authentic to you and your partner.
1. Bring Out Your Guest’s Competitive Side with Games
Who doesn’t love playing some games? Offering a variety of games can be a great way to engage guests of all ages.
Lawn games: Giant Connect 4, Jenga, Ring Toss, and Cornhole are perfect for outdoor weddings and provide hours of fun. Set up a game area where guests can challenge each other and enjoy some friendly competition.
On-table games: For indoor or more formal settings, consider games like trivia, mad libs, conversation cards, or classic board games like Monopoly, Sorry!, or Candy Land. These can serve as great icebreakers and keep the conversation flowing.
Arcade and video games: Bring it back to the 80s and rent your favorite arcade games for your wedding reception. Choose from the classics Pac-Man, Space Invaders, Donkey Kong, or Asteroids. In addition to arcade games, you can set up tables and TVs for guests to play Mario Party, Minecraft, League of Legends, and more!
2. Install a Photo Booth
Wedding photo booths are a win-win situation. Your guests have a blast taking pictures together and the photos act as wedding favors that they can cherish forever! There are many different types of fun and exciting wedding photo booth rentals available, including:
Open-air photo booth
Classic photo booth
Slow-motion video photo booth
360-degree photo booth
Green screen pho booth
Flip book photo booth
And more!
Photo booth rentals can cost anywhere from $400 to $1,000, depending on how high-tech you want the booth. There’s a photo booth option for every style and budget, making it a versatile entertainment option.
3. Bring in Experts For a Masterclass
This is an option for couples who want their guests to be entertained and educated! Set up a wine-tasting, floral arrangement, or food-tasting station. Hiring experts to give mini-classes can be a delightful way for guests to learn something new and enjoy hands-on experiences. It certainly adds a unique touch to your wedding and provides memorable activities for your guests!
4. The Shoe Game
This is a classic wedding game where the couple sits back-to-back, holding one of their own shoes and one of their partners. The DJ, friend, or family member will ask the couple questions like “Who’s more likely to hit snooze on their alarm clock 15 times?” or “Who’s more romantic?” and the couple will answer with the respective shoe. It’s a fun, silly game that’s entertaining and allows the guests to learn more about your relationship.
5. Pop-Up Casino
Just like in Vegas, what happens at your wedding, stays at your wedding.
If you and your partner enjoy the thrill of a casino night, bring the experience to your wedding. After all, who doesn’t love a risk-free game of Roulette, Texas Hold’em, or Black Jack? But don’t forget the prizes for the lucky winners! You can offer things like gift cards to your favorite restaurants, coffee shops, or online stores so everyone can join in on the fun.
6. Have a Bonfire
Outside, of course…
If your wedding is during the mild summer months, consider having a warm bonfire with smores, campfire stories, and classic songs on the acoustic guitar. There’s nothing quite like singing “Take My Home County Roads” or “Sweet Caroline” surrounded by your closest friends and family.
In this cozy and intimate setting, your guests will be able to relax and enjoy each other’s company. We love seeing guests sitting with a glass of wine at our fire pit, watching the sun set.
7. Try Out Karaoke
Karaoke probably isn’t your first thought of wedding entertainment, but it can certainly be a blast for your guests. Who knows, maybe you’ll discover that one of your guests is destined to be the next Mariah Carey!
Pro tip: Limit the karaoke portion of the evening to an hour max. It’s fun, but you don’t want your guests to sing for 4 hours straight.
8. Hire a Magician
Add a little more magic to your wedding day by hiring a magician. Have a magician stop by your guests’ tables during cocktail hour or the reception to create memorable moments for your guests. The exact cost will depend on many factors like date, number of guests, and the specific services you request, but magician pricing starts around $1,000 on average.
9. Hire a Caricaturist
Guests will line up to have their custom portrait created by a caricaturist. It’s highly entertaining, and your guests will have a keepsake from the evening! If your guest list is on the higher end, you may want to consider hiring more than one caricaturist to ensure that all of your guests get a chance to participate.
10. Bring In Your Local Nature Center Expert
If you and your partner are nature enthusiasts or animal lovers, consider bringing in an expert from your local nature center. They can set up educational displays with live reptiles and small animals for your guests to take pictures with, hold, and ask all of their burning questions. This can be a fascinating and engaging way for guests to learn something new and connect with nature! We recently had the Leslie Science & Nature Center bring animals like this spider to interact with guests for a wedding, and we’re still talking about it!
Your Day, Your Way!
People don’t attend your wedding solely to be entertained—they come to celebrate your union and catch up with loved ones. But it is a party, after all, so providing a variety of activities ensures that everyone has an unforgettable evening.
You don’t have to stick with the status quo. Choose the activities that best reflect you and your partner’s personalities and the vibe you want for your wedding. No matter what form of entertainment you choose, your guests will have a blast.