Wedding planning can be a massive affair, and for most it’s the first (and last) time you’ll do it. Sometimes it can help to have a guiding hand through the marital maze, which is why at Bridebook.co.uk we have world experts on hand to answer your wedding worries. Think Mary Berry for cakes, and Jimmy Choo for shoes – and Bridal Musings for guest enjoyment. With Bridal Musings having more than 3.3 million followers on Pinterest you’ll want to take note…
Make it Personal
Of course a couple will want to make their wedding day personal to them (initials decor is so popular right now!) but if you really want to wow your guests, why not make your day personal to them too?
Whether it’s a wedding booklet with a note and headshot for each of your guests, a personalised photograph in every place setting or a crowd-sourced playlist with shout-outs from the DJ, tailored thoughtful touches are guaranteed make your guests feel just as special as you do.
Up Your Food Game
Even if you’re a big fan of beef or salmon, chances are you’re not going to be floored when it’s served to you at your wedding reception.
If you really want to impress your guests, opt for something different with your eats. You can search our wedding venue directory for loads of gorgeous blank canvas spaces on there that’ll let your individualise your eating! Keep it casual with food truck tacos or family-style tapas, or opt for a luxe twist like sushi platters for the cocktail hour or a boozy sorbet between courses.
Any kind of creativity will be appreciated by your guests, big time.
Entertain Us
The biggest thing couples wish they’d put more thought into before their wedding? The entertainment. Throwing a great party means more than just sussing some evening music – why not add in extra elements throughout your day to keep your guests entertained?
Lawn games for the little ones, a mariachi band for cocktail hour, or a table quiz for guests as they take their seats. Touches like these go the extra mile for making your bash the most memorable one of wedding season.
Be Considerate
So you’ve been planning your wedding for months, forked out a small fortune on your meal, and had to be ruthless with your guest list. Your guests are lucky to have made the cut, right? Wrong!
Some of your guests may have spent a lot of money, travelled a long way, or had to take time off work to make it to your wedding, so make sure you shower them with your appreciation.
If your guests have several weddings/hen nights/stag dos to go to in a year, they’ll be hugely grateful for affordable accommodation choices, or pre-arranged transport.
From organising late night foods or pre-ceremony snacks to keep them from getting peckish, to providing blankets (for outdoor weddings), flipflops (for the dance floor) or hairspray and breath-mints (for freshening up!) any little touches you make will be more impressive to your guests than even the fanciest gown, venue or centrepieces.
All The Lights
Want to wow your wedding guests, but don’t have lots of cash to spend on styling? Scrap your flower budget, and sink your cash into lights and candles instead.
Okay, so we absolutely adore blooms, but it takes a lot of them to make a big impact. Deck your venue out in as many fairy lights, string bulbs, spotlights and candles as you can possibly muster, and your guests are guaranteed to gush when they walk into the room.
Banish the Nerves
Okay so this one is easier said than done! But it’s important to remember that your wedding is not a show, it’s a party. (The best party, like, ever!)
And if you want your guests to have a great time, the best thing you can do is just relax, and have a great time yourself.
The most fun weddings are the ones where the love between the bride and groom is truly palpable, and the couple are having the time of their life!
Laugh your way through the vows, beam during dinner, and be the first ones to hit the dancefloor in the evening. Lead the way for a fun night, and your guests are sure to follow suit!
Favourite bit of a wedding? The music and dancing has to be up there – think Patrick Swayze in Dirty Dancing. Well-chosen music will set the ultimate mood for your wedding day, so selecting awesome entertainment is essential! With our carefully handpicked questions, we guarantee your band or DJ will give you the party of a lifetime and music that everyone can boogie to.
By Jamie Bott Wedding Photography
1) How would you describe your style?
Make sure that your style goes well with theirs, you don’t want a hard-core rock band playing at a whimsical wedding!
2) How many weddings are you planning to do on my wedding day?
You may want a bad/DJ to focus on your wedding alone so they can give it all their attention on your big day!
3) Is there any way to see you perform live?
We wouldn’t advise you to gate-crash another wedding, but seeing a live recording and talking to other couples is a great place to start!
By Ross Harvey
4) Will you inspect the acoustics of our wedding venue beforehand?
The band/DJ will need to know the allowed sound levels too. It will be helpful for them to check out the venue in advance.
5) Will you take our song selections into account?
Whilst this is easy for a DJ, learning a new song is more complicated for a band, but they should accommodate your tastes. Similarly with a Do Not Play List!
6) How many of you are going to be there on the day?
Always clarify the number of band members and potential DJ assistants – you will probably provide them with food, so get the numbers right!
It’s unlikely that a notable accident will happen on your big day, but you definitely want them to have it just in case!
12) What is your backup plan if one of the band is sick and do you carry back-up equipment?
You don’t want to worry about ANYTHING on your wedding day, so checking that there are back-ups and all eventualities are covered is a must!
13) Will there still be music playing during your breaks?
Most bands will take 15 minute breaks during their sets, whether to grab a glass of water or to re-tune their instruments, so you want to make sure that these gaps are also filled with music to keep the momentum going.
By Stephen Casey Photography
These questions will guide you through the initial meeting and will make your decision making so much easier.
Do you want to start your life as a married couple with a bang by setting off an impressive fireworks display (venue permitting)? Or perhaps you want to wow your guests with a passionate magician or dance group?
If you don’t want to go that big, even a photo booth and kids’ games area are still great ways to entertain your guests – but they all naturally come at a cost.
In this post, we’re going to take a look at the many ways you can save money on wedding entertainment while still making sure your guests have a fabulous time.
What are the most expensive types of wedding entertainers?
Generally, the more highly-skilled, experienced or technical the entertainment is, the more expensive it’ll be. For example, a fireworks show will cost around £750, which is almost the entire average amount spent on entertainment alone.
Dance troupes and circus acts can also be among the most expensive, as there are a large number of performers and equipment needed. The more members there are in an act, the more expensive it will be. Large dance groups and circus acts have costs starting from around £500.
Also, if an entertainer is well-known or has been featured on TV, like magician Dean Leavy who appeared on Blue Peter and Britain’s Got Talent, they can have higher rates than others.
What’s the cheapest types of wedding entertainment?
There are plenty of options available if you have a limited budget but still want to hire professional entertainment. Some of the most affordable wedding entertainment options include:
If you have your heart set on a certain type of entertainment but aren’t sure it’ll fit within your budget, don’t be disheartened just yet. Below are 10 ways you can save money but still enjoy wonderful entertainment. We also have tips and tricks for saving money on wedding music so you can have the best of both worlds.
Just like how a winter wedding will lead to lower costs for your venue and catering due to lower demand, so will the cost of your entertainment. Summer is the most popular time to host a wedding, which means entertainers can increase their rates. So, by having a winter wedding you’ll pay far less to hire the same entertainer. Similarly, their rates will also be higher on the weekend than they will be midweek. So, if you plan your wedding for a Tuesday in February, you’ll pay some of the lowest rates available.
If an entertainer has to travel far to get to your venue, then this will affect how much you pay. Unless you’re really set on one specific entertainer, then try to hire a professional whose catchment area includes your chosen venue. If it doesn’t, they may charge an additional per-mile fee, and if it’s really far they might need to book a hotel, which will be another expense to factor into your budget.
Remember how we mentioned above that, generally speaking, the more performers there are in an act, the more expensive it’ll be? For that reason, keep costs down by hiring a solo entertainer. Or, if you want dancers at your wedding, a pair will typically be kinder to your budget than an entire troupe.
Entertainment doesn’t have to rely on a professional doing all the work, and can take so many forms. Karaoke, a quiz or motion-controlled games are both great fun and cost-effective, and a brilliant way to get all your guest involved.
If you have a lot of friends and family with kids, then you’re probably conscious that they might get a little bored. Kids’ entertainment, like The Wedding Crècherz and All Events Childcare, are already fantastic affordable professional services, but if you’re on a super tight budget, you could save even more money with a DIY kids’ table. Some colouring books, a box of Lego and some games (which you might already have sitting in the back of a cupboard) could save you hundreds.
This requires a bit of thought and effort ahead of the wedding (as well as coordination with your chosen venue), but it’s a great way to keep your guests busy throughout the reception as the day goes on, especially as you head off to take photos with your new spouse. A scavenger hunt, where guests have to follow clues to uncover secrets, is an engaging, fun and – importantly, cheap – entertainment idea. You can even offer prizes to the guests who come first.
We bet you have a few board games and party games gathering dust up in the loft. Why not put them to good use and provide every table with a game they can use to keep themselves busy and interact with each other? There’s nothing quite as funny as watching Nan play Jenga after a couple of glasses of Prosecco.
If an entertainer charges a certain day rate, ask them if they’ll charge less if they’re hired for a certain number of hours. If you hire a bouncy castle, you might not want merry adults bouncing on it after a few glasses of fizz anyway – so only hire it for a couple of hours. Or, a magician is a great way to keep guests entertained after the ceremony and during the breakfast, so by the evening they won’t necessarily be needed. By hiring entertainment for a shorter amount of time you’ll pay less but your guests will still have the experience.
With a little consideration and creativity, there are plenty of DIY entertainment options. Put a box of props together and fix a digital camera on a tripod for a simple and affordable DIY photo booth. You could build a corn hole set and host a tournament with a winner-takes-all prize. Or buy a face paint kit and encourage your guests to decorate each others’ faces (but after the photographs please). There are plenty of cheap DIY options out there!
Do you have a particularly talented friend or relative who could bring out their party trick to impress your guests? Anything from card tricks to juggling or stand-up comedy to acrobatics. Any talent can be good to go when it comes to entertaining your guests. Just make sure they’re up to the task, and don’t rely TOO heavily on them either. After all, they can’t be expected to provide the same level of service and quality as an experienced wedding professional.
Plan your dream wedding with Bridebook
With Bridebook, you can take all the stress out of planning your wedding and save money at the same time. Sign up today and start planning!
Planning a wedding is a little bit like putting a jigsaw together, and each of the pieces slots together to produce the overall picture that is your big day. Some pieces are bigger than others, like the venue, the flowers and the food, but another important piece that shouldn’t be overlooked is the entertainment.
Wedding entertainment comes in many forms and goes far beyond the music. Great entertainment can be the difference between a beautiful wedding and one that’s truly memorable – however, the cost of a wedding entertainer can vary depending on what you’re looking for.
In this post, we’re going to take a look at how much wedding entertainment costs, the cost of different types of entertainers available, and how important it is to hire an entertainer for your wedding.
Because there’s such a wide variety of wedding entertainment out there, from acrobats to photo experiences, it can be difficult to put an exact figure on the average cost of wedding entertainment. However, as we set out in our ultimate wedding budget breakdown, the average amount couples spend on professional non-music entertainment is around £800.
But, if you have a larger budget to play with and a flair for creativity, there are many fabulous wedding entertainers who can help make your wedding one that they’ll remember forever.
Check out our post on the average cost of wedding music for more information about bands, singers and DJs.
How much do different types of wedding entertainment cost?
Wedding entertainment costs will differ depending on the type of entertainment you’re after. Got a lot of parents coming with their little ones? A clown or kids’ entertainer will keep them busy during the reception and into the evening. Holding a twilight wedding ceremony? A stunning fireworks display will light up the sky and start your marriage with a bang. The range of entertainers available across all budget levels means that whatever your theme, you can thrill and delight your guests long into the night.
Below are just some of the different types of entertainers you could consider for your wedding.
A real crowd-pleaser, a fireworks display is a wonderful way to entertain your guests, such as those supplied byIllusion Fireworksand Phenomenal Fireworks. Costs start from £750.
Looking forward to kids coming to your wedding but not them running around on the dance floor? Keep the little ones busy with entertainment of their own, like the pun-tastically named The Wedding Crècherz , or Rock Up and Play. Costs start from £180.
Add a little extra magic to your wedding with a magician to wow your guests. Fabulous magicians include Owen Strickland Magic and Chris Priest. Costs start from £350.
A casino night brings a taste of Las Vegas to your wedding but with none of the dangers of walking home empty-handed. Aces Fun Casinos and VIP Fun Casino & photo booth hire are just two fantastic vendors. Costs start from £450.
Should you hire a wedding entertainer other than a musician or DJ?
Whether an entertainer is right for your wedding or not is purely down to you, your personality, the style and theme of your wedding, and your budget. If you’re hoping for an affordable wedding, then an entertainer (on top of music from a band, singer or DJ) can be one of the first to go. However, if you have a larger budget to play with, then additional entertainment will help your wedding to be unique.
So, if you do have a little extra budget and are keen for your wedding to stand out, an entertainer can do just that. It’ll create buzz and excitement, enhancing your guests’ experiences. It also adds an extra layer of personalisation and provides a little more variety to the average wedding celebration.
Discover venues, caterers, entertainers and more on Bridebook to make planning your wedding simple and stress-free. Sign up today and start planning today!
The most important thing is to let your guests know you are planning to do the photography after the ceremony. Also let them know how long it will (roughly) take. Try to give exact directions to those VIP’s who will be in your wedding photographs. Enjoy the group shots first, so those guests can go drink, eat and chat to their hearts content, once they are done. This will give you and your loved one all the time in the world to get your photos done!
If budget allows, consider hiring an entertainer. This can be a band, so that guests can listen to some music while they socialise, a caricaturist, a magician, a comedian, or any other professional entertainer. If you can’t stretch your budget, maybe one of your musical friends would be keen to get involved? If you can’t find someone for whatever reason, don’t worry, hit up Spotify and make an epic playlist instead.
By Jamie Bott Wedding Photography
Outdoor games? Yes please
If you are having an outdoor wedding, or if your venue has some fantastic gardens and the weather is sunny and warm, why not have some outdoor games? Giant jenga, croquet, or badminton are amazing, low-sweat options that will keep your guests – kids especially – entertained.
We can’t tell you enough how much we love a good ol’ photo booth, whether it’s hired or DIY. Your guests can goof around, socialise and have fun, especially if you stock it well with props. If instant printing is available, then consider giving these out as favours to your guests! How about this: Incorporate your guestbook into the photo booth! Equip your photo booth with a chalkboard and ask your guests to write down their wishes and take a photo holding up the board. That way, you are creating unique pictures, providing entertainment AND getting loads of marriage advice – done!
As not all of your guests will know your love story, why not play an interactive slide show, telling the story from yours and your loved one’s varying perspectives. Integrating a quiz about the couple, with a gift for the winner is also a great touch. If you can tell some anecdotes about your guests in the slideshow, even better!
By Weddings Vintage
Lip syncing
Are your guests an outgoing bunch that love a moment in the spotlight? Give them a lip-syncing competition and film it! Again, endless entertainment and fun for all the observers. (Although we would suggest a few tipples first!)
As long as there are some drinks, nibbles, superb company and some chairs for people to rest on, everyone will have a great time. So enjoy your photos and look forward to going through all of the epic shots after you’re married and back from honeymoon – another party in itself!
Whether it’s the theme tune to your favourite movie or that advert that makes you cry, music makes the world go round and it’s an essential part of your wedding day. It creates the mood and gets everyone on the dance floor to party their socks off. You want your music to be a perfect reflection of you as a couple and a great medley of tunes for your guests to love and party to all night. While you might have a list of your favourite tunes coming out of your ears, you might be stuck on whether to have a wedding band or DJ? We compiled a list of pros and cons for each, so you can just sit back and enjoy the music while you choose.
Whilst most bands are more than happy to learn a song for your first dance, the remainder of their repertoire might be quite specific. Just make sure the band you pick plays your kind of music! Going to hear them play (before you book) can help with this.
Band members will always need a break between sets, which can create a lull in the music. But you can always have a playlist ready to fill the gap.
A band can often cost a fair amount of money, as each member needs to be paid.
A band will require a fair amount of space and a large number of electricity outlets so just make sure you work this out before booking!
A DJ will have an endless variety of songs instantly available to them, meaning they can adjust to the mood or even do requests. You can also make sure they have your list of favourites before the big day!
A DJ can take breaks without having to stop the music.
The volume levels are easily adjustable.
DJ’s require smaller spaces to set up.
Reputable DJ companies will always have a stand-by DJ, ready to take over should anything go wrong. Phew.
A DJ is usually cheaper than a band (maybe not David Guetta…!)
Pre-recorded music might not evoke the same energy as live music… Unless the songs played are ‘your’ songs.
Every DJ has their own personality and style, just like every couple does. So it’s best to meet them before to make sure it matches yours.
The best way to find out more about a DJ’s style is by collecting some reviews. Try and speak to people who booked your DJ for their wedding, to confirm he will rock it!
Weigh up the pros and cons of each and work out what is best for you. Either way, epic music is going to make your party rock so enjoy choosing!
So you’ve found your venue, made your guest list and organised a delicious wedding menu. Then all you need to really get the party started is the entertainment. So let’s work out what you’re after and give your guests a day to remember!
What Kind Of Wedding Entertainment Is Out There?
Well… Just about anything, if we’re honest with you! You could go for anything from photobooths and fireworks to cartoonists and ceilidhs. Or you could organise games for your guests, like coconut shys or croquet. And, of course, there’s music – which is so important we’ve dedicated an entire article to it here.
How Much Should You Spend On Your Wedding Entertainment?
Depending on their overall budget, we expect to see couples spend anything from £300 to £1,500 on their wedding entertainment, with the average couple spending about £500. Remember, this includes your music too and the costs involved here can range. If you decide to go the DIY route, for example, putting together your very own ultimate party playlist will cost you nothing at all – but you could also hire your favourite band and really splash some cash.
When Should You Bring Out Your Wedding Entertainment?
This depends on what forms of entertainment you’re providing. If it’s just music, the answer is obvious: whenever you want to hit the dancefloor. But you might also decide to spread entertainment throughout the day, especially if your wedding isn’t child-free. It’s always a good idea to consider providing some form of entertainment straight after the ceremony as this is when you’re likely to be busy taking wedding photos, leaving your guests to entertain themselves. It’s not a must though – you can always pop on a playlist and let your guests catch up while they enjoy a drink and a canapé or two.
When Should You Start Looking For Wedding Entertainment?
Give yourself at least six to nine months to find your wedding entertainment. That means you’ve got enough time to work out what you want, go and see some options and make a final decision. It also lessens the chance that you discover your dream dance troupe – only to find they’re fully booked.
By Jamie Bott Wedding Photography
How Should You Choose Your Wedding Entertainment?
Start off by sitting down with your partner and talking about what the two of you want. Then consider your guests. If you’ll be inviting children to your wedding, what has the best chance of keeping them busy? Clowns and balloon artists are classic choices here. And what will your grown-up guests appreciate? Maybe you really want to wow your guests, and in that case, you might explore fire-eaters or fireworks displays. On the other hand, you might be from a family of foodies – in which case, look at options for DIY food stations.
Then spread the net wide! Ask friends, friends of friends, your venue, other engaged couples… Get as many ideas and recommendations as possible. Think about any weddings or other events you’ve attended recently – did any of them have any really spectacular entertainment options?
Now it’s time to get out there! If possible, try not to book your wedding entertainment without seeing them in person beforehand. We’re sure you won’t but you don’t want to book blind, only to discover on your wedding day that you’ve been duped. Plus, it makes for a great date night activity!
Nailing your guestlist is crucial, which is why we have a big ol’ guestlist tool to make it super easy for you to keep track. One of the big questions with guestlists is whether you’ll invite children to your day: and if you’re keen to invite a long list of little ones to your wedding, then look forward to adorable photos and ‘awwww’ moments. However, kids will be kids – you can’t expect them to be angels throughout an entire ceremony, speeches and dinner. Some adults aren’t! But we know exactly how to keep them acting cute – so here are our top tips. Make sure to add any extras you need to buy or complete to your Bridebook wedding checklist!
During the ceremony
If you are including children in your ceremony, like pageboys and flower girls, then make sure you allocate some seats for them, as they will get tired! Get them down the aisle and into those seats. Allocating a bridesmaid or someone to keep them in line helps a lot! Another idea is sneaking in some books or even an iPad for some silent entertainment. This can get the children through the ceremony so you don’t have to worry about them.
Seating children for the Wedding Breakfast
There are two ways to do this: sit the kids with their parents or have a separate table for them. Consider their ages and decide if the kids-only table would need supervision (details on getting help at the bottom). Children love having a little table for themselves, as it makes them feel special and allows them to entertain each other. This also means the parents can actually have some time out and party with the big boys!
Make a crafts station
Let the munchkins put their imaginations to good use – give them some crayons and paper and let them go crazy. They’ll make for super cute mementos. Alternatively, Cupcake stations or balloon-making stations are ace! Make some bare cupcakes and let the kids decorate them with edible sparkles and a bit of icing, or give the kids some balloons, some instructions and leave them to make cats, dogs, hats and whatever else they can think of (with someone supervising air provision, of course). Just don’t give them anything that can stain – we want you to get your deposit back, don’t we!
Favours
Are you providing favours for the adults? Definitely consider providing some for the kids! Colouring books, quizzes and games of I-Spy go a really long way. Make sure you have prizes for everyone who completes a quiz – otherwise things could get manic!
Lawn games
We love lawn games! For an outdoor wedding, think about hiring croquet or giant jenga. These are perfect for the kids (and the adults!) and means you probably won’t see them for the rest of the night – job done.
Hiring entertainers
A magician or clown can keep kids captivated for hours! We advise you to avoid face-painting artists, because white dress… painted hands…the horror. If you’re worried about your budget, maybe someone you know will take on the role!
Create an area
Indoor wedding? Try creating a space for the kids – find somewhere you can make a sectioned off area, or perhaps there’s a little room off the main reception area. Stock it with board games, Twister, balloons, ribbons and even put a film on! Nothing will keep kids as entertained as a classic Disney movie and a game of Twister on the side. Bonus point: parents can use it as a changing station or when they start feeling cranky!
Dance your (little) socks off
A cute idea is to have a kids-only dance after the official First Dance. Most kids love dancing and having all the attention on them! They will also look pretty adorable – good for the snaps.
Nannies
If you can find a trust-worthy teenager, or know that a Granny would love nothing better than to look after the kids for the evening enlist their help. This way, parents will be able to enjoy themselves and not have to worry about the little ones.
