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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Crowd-Pleasing! Wedding Ceremony and Reception Entertainment Ideas (1–10)
Band / Instrument Performance
When it comes to lively performances for occasions like wedding receptions, you can’t go wrong with giving the gift of music as a band—it’s a classic crowd-pleaser.
It creates a bright, fun atmosphere and is sure to energize the room.
For weddings, song selection is arguably the most important point.
You could perform songs themed around weddings or those that carry congratulatory messages, and it would also be great to include the couple’s memorable songs.
It’s also recommended to involve the bride and groom by creating a flow where they join in and sing!
A Fraudsters of the Land-style Movie
The drama “Jimenshi-tachi” (The Land Scammers), released on Netflix in 2024, became hugely popular.
How about creating a video that parodies this buzzworthy series, which was based on a real case? Have the couple’s friends fully take on the roles played by actors like Go Ayano and Etsushi Toyokawa.
It might be fun to set it up so that their target is the bride and groom! Try incorporating signature lines and distinctive phrasing from the show.
Aim for a video that, despite a serious and tense atmosphere, still feels charming and delightfully entertaining.
Game tournament
https://www.tiktok.com/@crystal.planner/video/7361764976618376449It’s also a great idea to hold a game tournament as entertainment, with games that everyone can enjoy.
With consoles like the Nintendo Switch, as long as you have controllers, multiple people can join in.
Use that to select a representative from each table and have them all compete! Choose games that are short and easy to control, even for older guests.
If you prepare prizes for the winning team, the competition is sure to heat up!
Get the Crowd Going! Wedding and Reception Entertainment Ideas (11–20)
flash mob
It’s supposed to be a photo shoot, but suddenly the photographer turns into a dancer! This is a flash mob—a surprise orchestrated by the staff and participants as one.
You can prepare it in secret from the couple, or involve the groom to surprise the bride.
It’s a perfect attraction for party-style weddings and receptions with lots of friends attending.
The fun of a flash mob is that not only the venue staff but also friends and colleagues who were just chatting next to you suddenly start dancing.
It takes advance practice and the preparation can be tough, but it will surely leave a lasting impression on the couple and their guests!
Manzai and sketch comedy
When it comes to performances for wedding receptions, comedy acts like manzai or sketch comedy are must-have options.
In manzai, it’s common to include stories about the bride and groom, while sketches often feature memories from their school days.
You can draw inspiration from trending routines or try creating an original act—it sounds fun either way.
To get the whole venue engaged, it’s important to craft content that’s easy to understand even for guests who don’t know the couple well.
While aiming for laughs, it’s also important to end with words of congratulations.
Speech
When you’re asked to give a friend’s speech at a wedding, it’s easy to feel the pressure and get nervous.
But rather than sticking to a rigid formula of “how it must be done,” a speech delivered with genuine congratulations for the couple will move not only the newlyweds but everyone at the reception.
Share the treasured memories that connect you with the groom or the bride—your playful school days, or your working lives where you struggled and pushed through together—and express your congratulations and gratitude plainly.
A touch of awkwardness often resonates more deeply with people.
Lifting relay
Passing a single item from person to person in a relay style is what we call a “lifting relay.” It includes the word “lifting,” but there’s no need to use a soccer ball.
What matters is passing it along to people connected to the bride and groom, so the relay item can be anything! A colored card with messages for the couple, a baton—think of something that fits them perfectly.
Film each person receiving it and handing it off to the next, and play the video at the reception.
Finally, at the venue, present the relayed item to the bride and groom—that’s the flow of the event.
A heartfelt gift that has passed through many hands is sure to delight the couple!