30 Original Wedding Entertainment Ideas for Your Big Day

Wedding planning is all about creating an experience for you and your guests. While the ceremony is the main event, the reception is the icing on the cake. If you’re looking for unusual wedding entertainment ideas to blow your guests away, here are 30 suggestions to suit every taste and style.

mirror photo booth with a LED parimeter and props in a barn for wedding entertainment
mirror photo booth with a LED parimeter and props in a barn for wedding entertainment

Wedding planning is all about creating an experience for you and your guests. While the ceremony is the main event, the reception is the icing on the cake. If you’re looking for unusual wedding entertainment ideas to blow your guests away, here are 30 suggestions to suit every taste and style.

live band wedding idea

1. Live Band with a Twist

Instead of a traditional wedding band, choose an alternative wedding band like the Flyaways, a blend of Mumford & Sons and Mississippi blues, or LFX, one of the most unique wedding party entertainment ideas that add a unique nightclub aesthetic to their performances with the sounds of Ibiza.

1. Live Band with a Twist

live band wedding idea

Instead of a traditional wedding band, choose an alternative wedding band like the Flyaways, a blend of Mumford & Sons and Mississippi blues, or LFX, one of the most unique wedding party entertainment ideas that add a unique nightclub aesthetic to their performances with the sounds of Ibiza.

Interested in renting a photo booth for your event?

2. Live Painting

Hire a wedding artist to paint your wedding day on canvas live. Some even contribute to entertainment ideas for wedding receptions by allowing guests to brush their own strokes. A wedding painter like Lucy McLoughlin is one of the top live event artists for weddings, creating inspired illustrations while offering your guests a keepsake.

zoomed in paintboard and brush with paint colours at a wedding

2. Live Painting

zoomed in paintboard and brush with paint colours at a wedding

Hire a wedding artist to paint your wedding day on canvas live. Some even contribute to entertainment ideas for wedding receptions by allowing guests to brush their own strokes. A wedding painter like Lucy McLoughlin is one of the top live event artists for weddings, creating inspired illustrations while offering your guests a keepsake.

four people dancing with headings for a silent disco at a wedding

3. Silent Disco

Giving guests wireless headphones with multiple music channels so they can choose their own dance track without the speakers is th dream for most wedding planners. Silent disco services like The Silent Disco Company throw out the one-size-fits-all music, allowing guests to choose their own sounds for the night.

3. Silent Disco

four people dancing with headings for a silent disco at a wedding

Giving guests wireless headphones with multiple music channels so they can choose their own dance track without the speakers is th dream for most wedding planners. Silent disco services like The Silent Disco Company throw out the one-size-fits-all music, allowing guests to choose their own sounds for the night.

4. Flash Mob

Surprise your guests with a pre-arranged flash mob from the wedding party, or hire professionals to put on a show. Some of the best wedding venues in the UK offer flash mob services. You can also hire companies like Club Mob when deciding on wedding day entertainment ideas.

black and white image of a newly married couple walker towards the camera between guists for a wedding flash mob

4. Flash Mob

black and white image of a newly married couple walker towards the camera between guists for a wedding flash mob

Surprise your guests with a pre-arranged flash mob from the wedding party, or hire professionals to put on a show. Some of the best wedding venues in the UK offer flash mob services. You can also hire companies like Club Mob when deciding on wedding day entertainment ideas.

mand and woman sitting at a counter with a glass of whisky and glass of wine for wedding whisky tasting

5. Wine or Whiskey Tasting

One of best cheap wedding entertainment ideas, set up a wine or whiskey-tasting bar where guests can sample different varieties with a sommelier or expert.

 

5. Wine or Whiskey Tasting

mand and woman sitting at a counter with a glass of whisky and glass of wine for wedding whisky tasting

One of best cheap wedding entertainment ideas, set up a wine or whiskey-tasting bar where guests can sample different varieties with a sommelier or expert.

 

6. Circus Acts

For a bit of whimsy, hire circus performers like jugglers, fire-eaters, or stilt walkers to entertain. Companies like Circus Uncertainty offer professional circus acts for weddings, such as living statues, fire performers, and burlesque.

person in a dark space blowing fire into the air as a wedding circus act

6. Circus Acts

person in a dark space blowing fire into the air as a wedding circus act

For a bit of whimsy, hire circus performers like jugglers, fire-eaters, or stilt walkers to entertain. Companies like Circus Uncertainty offer professional circus acts for weddings, such as living statues, fire performers, and burlesque.

three food station workers at a wedding sharing out food

7. Interactive Food Stations

Food entertainment like sushi rolling, pizza making, or DIY dessert bars can give guests a hands-on experience. Tabla Cuisine and other highly-rated catering companies offer a dynamic and engaging wedding catering experience.

7. Interactive Food Stations

three food station workers at a wedding sharing out food

Food entertainment like sushi rolling, pizza making, or DIY dessert bars can give guests a hands-on experience. Tabla Cuisine and other highly-rated catering companies offer a dynamic and engaging wedding catering experience.

8. Magic Mirror Photo Booth

Wedding photo booth hire has gained significant popularity in recent years as one of the most fun and interactive wedding reception ideas for entertainment. Besides providing fun, it’s an ideal alternative to a wedding photographer as couples can get great-quality photos of their wedding.

magic mirror booth wedding idea with an oval-shaped mirror booth with a pink rink and props on the left

8. Magic Mirror Photo Booth

magic mirror booth wedding idea with an oval-shaped mirror booth with a pink rink and props on the left

Wedding photo booth hire has gained significant popularity in recent years as one of the most fun and interactive wedding reception ideas for entertainment. Besides providing fun, it’s an ideal alternative to a wedding photographer as couples can get great-quality photos of their wedding.

caricature artist at a wedding, zoomed into the page with sketches

9. Caricature Artist

Instead of traditional photos, hire a caricature artist to draw fun portraits of your guests. Alive Network has a large list of talented caricature artists offering their services for weddings across the UK.

9. Caricature Artist

caricature artist at a wedding, zoomed into the page with sketches

Instead of traditional photos, hire a caricature artist to draw fun portraits of your guests. Alive Network has a large list of talented caricature artists offering their services for weddings across the UK.

10. Dance Off

If you like cheap wedding entertainment ideas, organise a dance-off between tables. Get wedding party members or even the bride and groom to get everyone dancing.

greyscale image of large group of guests at an arabic wedding, wedding party central having a wedding dance off

10. Dance Off

greyscale image of large group of guests at an arabic wedding, wedding party central having a wedding dance off

If you like cheap wedding entertainment ideas, organise a dance-off between tables. Get wedding party members or even the bride and groom to get everyone dancing.

camera facing up to woman doing aerial acrobatics with a wedding at a wedding

11. Aerial Acrobatics

If your venue has high ceilings aerialists performing on silk ropes or hoops can add drama to the evening.

11. Aerial Acrobatics

camera facing up to woman doing aerial acrobatics with a wedding at a wedding

If your venue has high ceilings aerialists performing on silk ropes or hoops can add drama to the evening.

11. Fire Dancers

For evening outdoor weddings, fire dancers can create a mesmerising and exotic show to keep wedding guests entertained during the evening.

 
two fire dancers in a dark space fire dancing at a wedding

11. Fire Dancers

two fire dancers in a dark space fire dancing at a wedding

For evening outdoor weddings, fire dancers can create a mesmerising and exotic show to keep wedding guests entertained during the evening.

 
zoomed in view of two people at a roulette table set up as a wedding entertainment idea

12. Casino Tables

Set up a mini-casino with poker, blackjack, and roulette tables for guests to have a bit of fun. Casino Hire UK has a range of tables for all weddings, from small to large. 

12. Casino Tables

zoomed in view of two people at a roulette table set up as a wedding entertainment idea

Set up a mini-casino with poker, blackjack, and roulette tables for guests to have a bit of fun. Casino Hire UK has a range of tables for all weddings, from small to large. 

13. Personalised Song Requests

Hire a wedding DJ who allows guests to request songs with personal dedications during the reception for an interactive musical experience.

abstract view of a dj's cd decks at a wedding with someone making a personalised request

13. Personalised Song Requests

abstract view of a dj's cd decks at a wedding with someone making a personalised request

Hire a wedding DJ who allows guests to request songs with personal dedications during the reception for an interactive musical experience.

aerial view of a diy confetti bar with champagne glasses filled with champagne and confetti

14. DIY Confetti Bar

DIY confetti bars are a low-cost, small wedding evening entertainment idea. Not only are they great for new year’s eve celebrations, but guests can customise their confetti with different colours and materials for a fun photo opportunity.

14. DIY Confetti Bar

aerial view of a diy confetti bar with champagne glasses filled with champagne and confetti

DIY confetti bars are a low-cost, small wedding evening entertainment idea. Guests can customise their confetti with different colours and materials for a fun photo opportunity.

15. Mobile Escape Room

Add some excitement with a portable escape room that your guests can solve in teams during cocktail hour. Mobile escape rooms are one of the most unique wedding party entertainment ideas. Escape Game Events provides bespoke escape games for weddings.

escape room for wedding

15. Mobile Escape Room

escape room for wedding

Add some excitement with a portable escape room that your guests can solve in teams during cocktail hour. Mobile escape rooms are one of the most unique wedding party entertainment ideas. Escape Game Events provides bespoke escape games for weddings.

a sculptor artist making a sculptor from a block of ice at a wedding with people observing in the background

16. Ice Sculpting

Some wedding planners opt to display an ice sculpture as a feature at weddings, but hiring an ice sculptor artist to sculptor a masterpiece live at your reception is one of the coolest wedding entertainment ideas. Glacial Art Ice Sculptors are one of the best in the UK and will put on a show at any cheap UK wedding venue for all your guests.

16. Ice Sculpting

a sculptor artist making a sculptor from a block of ice at a wedding with people observing in the background

Some wedding planners opt to display an ice sculpture as a feature at weddings, but hiring an ice sculptor artist to sculptor a masterpiece live at your reception is one of the coolest wedding entertainment ideas. Glacial Art Ice Sculptors are one of the best in the UK and will put on a show at any cheap UK wedding venue for all your guests.

17. Glow Party

An easy DIY wedding entertainment idea, plan a glow party with UV lights, glow sticks, and fluorescent paint for a fun surprise when the lights get turned down low. It is the ideal way to celebrate a lesbian wedding.

abstract view of blue, green, organge, and red glow sticks at a wedding

17. Glow Party

abstract view of blue, green, organge, and red glow sticks at a wedding

An easy DIY wedding entertainment idea, plan a glow party with UV lights, glow sticks, and fluorescent paint for a fun surprise when the lights get turned down low.

two children seated on the floor facing a a puppet show at a wedding

18. Puppet Show

For a family-friendly wedding kids entertainment idea, hire a puppeteer to put on a show that everyone will enjoy. This is the ideal option to keep kids entertained long into the night.

18. Puppet Show

two children seated on the floor facing a a puppet show at a wedding

For a family-friendly wedding kids entertainment idea, hire a puppeteer to put on a show that everyone will enjoy. This is the ideal option to keep kids entertained long into the night.

19. Interactive Digital Guest Book

Use a digital guest book where guests can take photos, record video messages, and leave digital signatures on your own private wedding album, which is accessible through a QR code. Kululu offers one of the best apps to make an interactive digital guest book.

a person's hand holding a phone leaving a message in an interactive wedding digital guest book

19. Interactive Digital Guest Book

a person's hand holding a phone leaving a message in an interactive wedding digital guest book

Use a digital guest book where guests can take photos, record video messages, and leave digital signatures on your own private wedding album, which is accessible through a QR code. Kululu offers one of the best apps to make an interactive digital guest book.

20. DIY Flower Crown

DIY flower crowns are a hassle-free wedding entertainment idea that costs next to nothing. Create a flower crown station where guests can make their own headwear, a fun and floral experience.

20. DIY Flower Crown

DIY flower crowns are a hassle-free wedding entertainment idea that costs next to nothing. Create a flower crown station where guests can make their own headwear, a fun and floral experience.

21. Movie Night

Set up a projector to show the couple’s favourite movie or a montage of their relationship for a cosy cinema feel. You can opt for an outdoor cinema hire to get a complete package.

wedding outdoor cinema

21. Movie Night

wedding outdoor cinema

Set up a projector to show the couple’s favourite movie or a montage of their relationship for a cosy cinema feel. You can opt for an outdoor cinema hire to get a complete package.

balloon twister

22. Balloon Twister

Everyone has had a balloon twister twist them a poodle as a child. Hire a balloon twister to create intricate and fun designs for your children at your wedding, a playful touch to the celebration.

22. Balloon Twister

balloon twister

Everyone has had a balloon twister twist them a poodle as a child. Hire a balloon twister to create intricate and fun designs for your children at your wedding, a playful touch to the celebration.

23. Drone Show

Instead of fireworks, have a professional UAV company like FlightShows set up a high-tech drone light show to mesmerise your guests with synchronised lights and patterns.

a night sky with led drones making a bear outline for a wedding drone show

23. Drone Show

a night sky with led drones making a bear outline for a wedding drone show

Instead of fireworks, have a professional UAV company like FlightShows set up a high-tech drone light show to mesmerise your guests with synchronised lights and patterns.

mobile petting farm

24. Petting Zoo

For outdoor or rustic weddings, a mini petting zoo from companies like Rocky’s Animals and The Mini Farm can be a cute and fun addition that guests (especially kids) will love.

 

24. Petting Zoo

mobile petting farm

For outdoor or rustic weddings, a mini petting zoo from companies like Rocky’s Animals and The Mini Farm can be a cute and fun addition that guests (especially kids) will love.

 

25. Wedding Trivia

Everybody loves a bit of trivia, so it secures a place on the cheap wedding ideas list. Setting up a trivia game with fun questions about the couple gets guests to converse and compete with each other.

25. Wedding Trivia

Everybody loves a bit of trivia, so it secures a place on the cheap wedding ideas list. Setting up a trivia game with fun questions about the couple gets guests to converse and compete with each other.

a black table with tattoo artist holding a stencil for wedding flash tattoo bar

26. Flash Tattoo Bar

A temporary tattoo station where guests can choose from custom designs is a cool and interactive experience. The service is offered by tattoo station hire companies like Mi Ink Tattoos.

26. Flash Tattoo Bar

a black table with tattoo artist holding a stencil for wedding flash tattoo bar

A temporary tattoo station where guests can choose from custom designs is a cool and interactive experience. The service is offered by tattoo station hire companies like Mi Ink Tattoos.

27. Vintage Arcade Games

Rent vintage arcade games like Pac-Man, pinball, and air hockey for a nostalgic gaming experience. Arcade Direct and Retro Games Hire provide a lot of options to keep all the gaming enthusiasts at your party occupied.

back view of two people playing vintage arcade games at a wedding

27. Vintage Arcade Games

back view of two people playing vintage arcade games at a wedding

Rent vintage arcade games like Pac-Man, pinball, and air hockey for a nostalgic gaming experience. Arcade Direct and Retro Games Hire provide a lot of options to keep all the gaming enthusiasts at your party occupied.

two people toasting a glass of beer and dry stout for craft beer tasting at a wedding

28. Craft Beer or Cocktail Tasting

Offer a craft beer or signature cocktail tasting station where guests can try specialty brews or make their own drinks. Crafty Brewing and Beaverton Brewery offer a selection of craft beers to fill your guests’ taste buds.

28. Craft Beer or Cocktail Tasting

two people toasting a glass of beer and dry stout for craft beer tasting at a wedding

Offer a craft beer or signature cocktail tasting station where guests can try specialty brews or make their own drinks. Crafty Brewing and Beaverton Brewery offer a selection of craft beers to fill your guests’ taste buds.

29. Personalised Bingo

DIY ideas for wedding entertainment must include custom bingo cards. They can have your wedding details and come with fun prizes for an extra incentive.

wedding bingo

29. Personalised Bingo

wedding bingo

DIY ideas for wedding entertainment must include custom bingo cards. They can have your wedding details and come with fun prizes for an extra incentive.

a white phone box stand with a black dial phone set up for audio guest book at a wedding

30. Audio Guest Book

Audio guest book hire offers a more personal and involving experience than traditional guest books. Audio guest books allow wedding guests to leave heartfelt or funny messages, capturing the tone and personality of the messenger that written words don’t convey.

30. Audio Guest Book

a white phone box stand with a black dial phone set up for audio guest book at a wedding

Audio guest book hire offers a more personal and involving experience than traditional guest books. Audio guest books allow wedding guests to leave heartfelt or funny messages, capturing the tone and personality of the messenger that written words don’t convey.

31. Comedian

Hiring a comedian for your wedding can break the ice among your wedding guests, creating laughter and a connected feeling. The best comedians will tailor their humour to your wedding story, making the experience more personal and relative. The Comedy Club has some of the best comedians in the UK.

a standup comedian holding a microphone doing wedding standup comedy

31. Comedian

a standup comedian holding a microphone doing wedding standup comedy

Hiring a comedian for your wedding can break the ice among your wedding guests, creating laughter and a connected feeling. The best comedians will tailor their humour to your wedding story, making the experience more personal and relative. The Comedy Club has some of the best comedians in the UK.

vr for weddings

32. Virtually Reality

Virtual Reality (VR) glasses are a great idea for weddings, as the couple can create unique environments, such as tours of the location and the ceremony. Besides being one of the most unique wedding day entertainment ideas, it allows distant friends and family who can’t attend to participate virtually. 

32. Virtually Reality

vr for weddings

Virtual Reality (VR) glasses are a great idea for weddings, as the couple can create unique environments, such as tours of the location and the ceremony. Besides being one of the most unique wedding day entertainment ideas, it allows distant friends and family who can’t attend to participate virtually. 

Frequently Asked Questions about Entertainment Ideas for a Wedding

What is the 30-5 minute rule for weddings?

The wedding 30-5 rule refers to things you do at your wedding that you’d think would take 5 minutes but end of taking 30.

You can make your wedding fun by adding elements that keep your guests entertained. This can be mentally engaging activities like wedding trivia or escape rooms, fun experiences like wedding photo booths, and wedding dance-offs, or visual entertainment like aerial acrobats, ice sculptors, and fire dancers

You can making your wedding interactive by adding interactive elements like a wedding photo booth, which allows guests to take pictures and upload them to a digital album for your wedding. Another option is digital guest book software, which guests can use to take pictures on their own phone and upload to your guest book and leave a message.

Some of the fitting games to play at your wedding and keep in entertaining include trivia, casino games like roulette, vintage arcade games, crazy golf, and mobile escape rooms.