Get the Crowd Going! A Collection of Fun Wedding and Reception Entertainment Ideas
It’s exciting to be asked by the bride and groom to put on a performance at their wedding reception or after-party!
But the more you want to make them happy, the harder it can be to decide what to do…
Key points to keep in mind for wedding entertainment are: avoid vulgar acts and overly inside jokes; aim for about 10 minutes; don’t exceed the allotted time; think of something the couple will genuinely enjoy; and above all, focus on “what will make the two of them happy.”
In this article, we’ll introduce entertainment ideas that convey your heartfelt congratulations!
We’ve also gathered ideas the bride and groom themselves can do, so be sure to read to the end!
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Get the party going! Wedding and reception entertainment ideas (81–90)
It’s fine either way!
Perfect for a Kansai couple! Share a fun congratulatory message to the classic Ulfuls song “Eenenn”! Think up phrases ending with “…de eenen” that relate to the bride and groom, write them big on a sketchbook or similar, and take photos holding them.
Connect the photos one by one like a slideshow and turn them into a video set to the BGM.
By gathering the wonderful traits of the couple that only close friends would know, it’s sure to become a touching performance!
Drawing Shiritori
Here’s an idea for a party game: playing shiritori using only drawings, without any letters.
Take turns drawing pictures on a single large sheet of paper.
As people keep drawing, it can lead to funny moments where it becomes unclear what the illustration is supposed to be.
Set a time limit and make a rule like “draw your illustration within XX seconds” to get everyone excited.
It’s also fun to start with simple drawings like an apple or an orange and gradually try more difficult ones.
It’s a great activity that brings friends and teammates closer and lets everyone enjoy it together.
When the last drawing is finished, don’t forget to check the answers!
Magic Show
Even a short performance can instantly liven up a wedding reception—a magic show! If you’re good at magic, show off your skills and delight the couple and their guests.
And if it’s your first time trying, with plenty of practice you’ll definitely make the two of them happy.
If you design the act to involve the bride and groom, it will become a wonderful wedding memory.
Intro Quiz
An intro quiz that gets everyone excited without awkward lulls is perfect for wedding receptions and after-parties.
Play the intro and have people answer within a set time, like five seconds.
One thing to be careful about is choosing songs appropriate for a celebratory occasion.
It’s also great if the person who answers can jump straight into singing it karaoke-style.
Since guests span many generations, gather songs from various eras so everyone—from kids to seniors—can enjoy.
With smiles all around and songs brimming with joy, you’re sure to create a warm, uplifting atmosphere.
mochi pounding
Speaking of mochi, it’s perfect for celebrations—so how about a mochi-pounding ceremony as a reception activity, with the two stars of the day joining in? High-speed mochi pounding like Nakatanidou in Nara can be a bit dangerous, so keep the pace safe and let lots of guests participate as you go.
Having an interactive attraction among activities that tend to be “just for watching” instantly softens the atmosphere of the reception.
Note that some venues may not allow it, so be sure to check in advance and coordinate the details.
domino toppling
This is an advanced entertainment idea that requires considerable time and effort.
Pour your congratulations to the bride and groom into each individual domino.
With dominoes, if you accidentally knock over even one, everything could go to waste.
Works that use thousands or even tens of thousands of dominoes are practically works of art.
The ideal flow is to film and edit the building process in a documentary style to maximize the tension, and then show the final domino toppling sequence.
The sense of accomplishment after screening the completed movie is indescribably immense! The venue will undoubtedly be enveloped in a whirl of emotion and excitement.
Get the Crowd Going! 10 Wedding Reception Entertainment Ideas (Nos. 91–100)
Hypnosis
Let’s put the bride, groom, and guests under hypnosis! Of course, unless you have special powers, that’s not exactly easy to do.
So here’s a fun idea for the ceremony or reception: a “hypnosis” that draws out stories the couple hasn’t told each other yet.
For example, something like, “You’ll feel like revealing a secret you haven’t told the bride yet.” Use playful prompts that help deepen their bond and liven up the reception.
Interviewing guests to bring out school-day anecdotes is great, too.
Just be careful not to press too hard—especially under the influence of alcohol.