Guest list

Remember that time you went to a wedding and felt a bit bored and hungry? Don’t inflict that on your guests – here’s how to keep them entertained

It’s your big day but go the extra mile for your guests and they’ll remember your wedding for all the right reasons.

Even people who are quite accustomed to sitting through week-long meetings at work can get a bit restless during a wedding. So it’s important to consider how to keep your guests entertained.

DURING THE DAY

You don’t really need to worry about the ceremony too much. It’s the postceremony gap, when you’re nipping off to get photos taken, that you need to plan for. If your reception is in a separate venue arrange transport for your guests; it’s a thoughtful gesture that saves them a headache. It doesn’t have to be fancy – a coach will do just fine, though a cute touch is to have the conductor hand them a ticket with your names and the wedding date on.

When guests arrive the hunger will be setting in. So make sure there’s plenty for them to nibble on. Trays of canapes are always a welcome sight but we’ve seen a shift in recent times towards more unusual light options: food trucks serving tacos, or ice cream stands.

If your venue has a drinks package, great, but if there’s more flexibility then you can really have fun with it. Hire a prosecco van to serve up chilled glasses of fizz; set up DIY cocktail stations (there’s lots of inspiration on Pinterest); or fill a wheelbarrow with ice cold bottles of beer.

THE NON EDIBLES

Got the budget for more post-ceremony entertainment? Live music is always a crowd pleaser. If you’ve hired the likes of a string quartet for the ceremony, you could ask them to stay on for an hour during the drinks reception. Or go for something a bit livelier to get the party going; we love the idea of a mariachi band (with frozen margaritas as an accompaniment).

If you prefer the idea of interactive entertainment, magicians and caricaturists appeal to all ages and make a fantastic ice breaker. Lawn games, meanwhile, are a more budget-friendly option if you’re getting married in summer and have a venue with suitable grounds. This type of activity is entirely weather dependent, though, and bear in mind that no amount of alcohol is going to make your grandad think Giant Jenga is a fun idea.

DINNER TIME

Couples sometimes worry conversation will be stilted at dinner between guests who haven’t met before. If this is a concern there are subtle ways you can encourage a more laid-back and convivial atmosphere. Depending on how flexible the venue is, you could have everyone seated at long banquet style tables rather than small circular ones, or ditch the three-course meal in favour of sharing platters. If you want something that’ll really wow them and you’ve more to spend, singing waiters are great fun, or hire a band to make a surprise appearance.

“We had a tribal pipe band burst in to the room before our meal began,” says reader Karen. “It meant everyone was talking and laughing by the time dinner was served.”

IN THE EVENING

The evening reception is often when the party really begins and your day guests will already be in good spirits. But additional evening guests might need a bit of a helping hand to get in the party mood. It’s good manners to greet them as they arrive – especially the ones who show up on time – and welcome drinks are a thoughtful touch. You’ll likely have a band or DJ playing, but remember that not everybody will want to dance – and some may not be able to – so consider setting up cosy break-out areas away from the music where guests can have a catch-up. A photobooth is another excellent addition to your evening reception, and if you forego favours with the justification that the photos are a nice keepsake it doesn’t have to count as an extra spend.

Most booths can be hired for a few hours and come manned with staff but a more budget-friendly alternative has arrived recently in the form of Luna Booth, a “pop-up-and-go” portable booth that comes in two formats, photo or GIF, from Edinburgh company Blushbooth. It’s delivered straight to your door and you and your guests can use it all night, before you return it after the day.

And remember, if all else fails, a good party usually contains three essential ingredients: pals, booze and music. Oh, and rolls and sausages. Definitely rolls and sausages.

INVITING CHILDREN

There are loads of easy and cheap ways to keep wee ones entertained. Make up goody bags with colouring books for the younger ones, or if you want to be more inventive, hand them a disposable camera and a list of things to photograph – “a lady in a nice hat”, “a man in a kilt” – they’ll love snapping away, and you’ll get some interesting pics. You could even set up a games room with a few consoles if your venue has space for it. If there’s a room with a TV, stick a selection of kids’ films in there and have a makeshift cinema room. And it wouldn’t have to be makeshift if you got married at the Blythswood in Glasgow; this venue has its very own private cinema, which wedding couples can use as they please! This feature first appeared in the Scottish Wedding Directory. www.scottishweddingdirectory.co.uk

“No amount of alcohol is going to make your grandad think Giant Jenga is a fun idea”