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)
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.
Even the bride joins in?! A surprise dance performance at the wedding
Speaking of entertainment acts, they’re usually thought of as something guests perform to celebrate the couple, right? Contrary to that expectation, this performance has the bride joining in near the end.
The idea is to have the bride—who has been watching the act from the best vantage point—be led up onto the stage and deliver a coordinated performance with everyone, creating a humorous vibe.
Since sharp, snappy moves are the appeal of the “bubble dance,” it’s important to consider how much of that can be recreated while wearing a bridal gown.
Tones of the Everyday
This recreates the music video for “Hibi no Neiro” by SOUR, a Japanese three-piece band whose video became a hot topic after winning the Entertainment Division at the 2009 Japan Media Arts Festival.
It requires a certain amount of preparation and time, but each individual’s task in the video is minimal, and a large number of people can participate.
With someone capable of taking the lead, it could become an exceptionally good video.
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.
Canon Rock
When it comes to classic wedding songs, Canon is a must.
It’s great if the groom plays it impressively as a performance, and it’s also great if a guest plays it! The difficulty level is high, so solid practice is necessary.
Since it’s an ultra-classic piece, the biggest recommendation is that anyone can enjoy it.
Get the Crowd Going! 10 Wedding Reception Entertainment Ideas (Nos. 91–100)
hero show
How about putting on a Super Sentai–style hero show at the venue that involves the bride and groom? Start with the classic setup where the bride is kidnapped by an evil organization, then reveal that the mastermind is actually the bride’s father.
Keep the story simple and easy to follow to draw the guests in.