Popular Wedding Reception Entertainment Options

All we can say is that you and your soon-to-be-spouse are the only ones who will truly know what’s right for you. Plus, there may even be a few other entertainment options you haven’t heard of that deserve some attention!

Hiring a good DJ can make your reception feel like being in a club on the Vegas strip... if that’s the vibe you’re going for! If not, DJs can be great for maintaining the flow of the event and building up the energy of the crowd. Plus, since it’s only one person and not a whole band, the average cost of a DJ tends to be quite a bit cheaper than a band or live musicians.DJs are great for couples who really want to kick it up a notch on the dance floor because they’ll curate a setlist for you that reflects the energy you want for the evening. If you think a playlist could do the job just as well, it’s time to think twice! Not only is the curation aspect super important, but a Spotify account on shuffle mode is gonna have a hard time beating the energy that a good DJ brings to the table. A good DJ can adapt to the changing energy of the reception, bringing it up for a big, celebratory crescendo before slowing things down to signal the end of the night.

Pro Tip: If you and your partner are big DJ people and want to fly in your favorite DJ from Tulum, make sure you add those costs to your overall budget as time, travel, and accommodations can be pricey! 

There’s nothing quite like live music, is there? DJs will always leave a personal touch with their set list and MC skills, but if you’re the type of person who just comes to life at concerts there’s really no replacement. That being said, this experience does come with a heftier price tag. Professional wedding bands tend to charge somewhere around $4,000 depending on the type of musicians you’re hiring.A live band can turn your reception into a mini concert. Whether they’re playing originals, classics, or modern hits there's something about having real live people making music in front of you that’s really special. Plus, when it comes to experienced wedding bands they’ll likely have a similar level of flow management and MC skills as a DJ. Some people accuse wedding bands of being “cheesy,” but we like to think of them as romantic. If you’re interested in something a little more classic, you could even opt for a sultry string quartet. At any rate, if music (of any kind) is a priority in your life,it’s probably a good idea to make it a priority at your reception, too!

Bands and DJs may be the traditional wedding options, but they may not be for everyone! If you’re looking for some alternatives, there are plenty of entertainment options you have to choose from. Instrumental music, string quartets, jazz bands...you name it!

Okay… so we did just say that DJs are “better” than playlists… but hear us out! DJs and live music aren’t for everyone! And that’s totally fine. If music isn’t super important to you and your partner, and you just want to have some chill background music for guests to dance and mingle to, then a playlist will probably do the trick. Plus, it can be fun for you to design it as a couple! Another option to consider is making a collaborative playlist that all your guests can contribute to. This can be an awesome way to bring folks together at the reception, and this way you know every guest has at least one song they’ll like!

We’ve given you some pretty classic options so far, but we don’t get to decide what floats your boat. If you’re not into music, then there are tons of other entertainment options you can choose from. Don’t limit yourself! Clowns and magicians may be a little reminiscent of a kids birthday party, but don’t let your mind stop there! Acrobats, stand-up musicians, dancers, drag queens…the possibilities are endless if you get creative! Think about things you really love to watch or participate in and brainstorm ways to highlight them at the reception. Anything can be wedding entertainment if you want it to be

Photo booths help your guests create memories that they’ll be able to save for years to come. We recommend researching multiple vendors and taking a look at their photo albums to see which photo aesthetics align with your overall wedding vision. Some even provide black and white options as well as outfits and props that your guests can wear in the photo. It’s also important to ask each vendor how guests will be able to access the photos. Will they get printed copies on the day? Will they get access to an online album? Etc.

Pro Tip: Make sure to add the cost of a photo booth to your budget! Also, ask the vendor how long they’ll be at the reception so you can do a last call for photos. 

Who doesn’t love a surprise firework moment for their guests at the end of their wedding celebration? If fireworks are something you want to incorporate into your wedding reception, there are a few things you need think about first:

Permits
Most locations require permits for fireworks and sometimes those can take several weeks to process. Make sure to plan and book well in advance.

Fire Safety
Some locations do not allow fireworks. Period. If your wedding is taking place in an open field or a forest, you don’t want to be the cause of a fire! Make sure you read up on local laws before planning your pyrotechnics.

Timing
Your event planner will be able to help you gauge the appropriate amount of time to make your fireworks display. They can also contact firework vendors to work out the schedule.

Music
Work with your DJ so the show plays at the same time as one of your favorite celebration songs!

Photography and Video
In advance of your firework show, make sure your vendors know when to expect the fireworks to happen so they can capture those candid moments.

Okay, so you’ve been dancing and drinking for hours and you’ve probably worked up a pretty good appetite! This is the perfect opportunity to coordinate a late night food truck or dish to be passed around to your guests. If you and your partner have a favorite fast food joint like In-N-Out you can look into the cost of having a food truck come directly to your venue! 

If your wedding venue has a noise ordinance and requires your music to shut down by a certain time, a great alternative to keep the party going is a silent disco. This is when you have headphones brought in for all of your guests that will play specific music controlled by a DJ or playlist. They’re a great way to keep the dancing and music alive without ‘waking the neighbors’. Just make sure you factor in the amount of headphones needed and any extra time you’ll need the DJ.

Pro Tip: Silent discos make great ‘after-parties’ as well!

This one’s a little outside the box, but hear us out! If your reception venue has a pool, you can opt to have synchronized swimmers do a coordinated dance for your wedding guests. We guarantee they’ll never have seen anything like that at a wedding reception before! If you’re looking for a more lowkey way to utilize that pool space you could also decorate it with floating lanterns or big letters that spell your new last name as a couple!

Some other celebrations to consider are confetti cannons and balloon drops. Both use the element of surprise to inject a little bit of energy into the night and are a fun way for you and your guests to continue the party.

Pro Tip: Make sure to check in with your venue about cleanup fees. Confetti can and will get everywhere and we mean everywhere!

The fun just doesn’t stop! Integrating some simple games and activities into your ceremony can be a wonderfully unique way of really making your wedding reception an experience to remember. This could be as simple as putting out a cornhole set on the lawn outside or as outrageous as a giant Jenga tower! We can’t really list every possible game, but think of simple outdoor games or tabletop games that don’t require a lot of rulebook reading. Basically, any games that are easy enough to play after a few drinks. Here are a few ideas:

The best part about bringing some games into your reception is that you can kind of set them up and forget about them. If people want to play, they can. If not, you don’t have anything to worry about. You can party with peace of mind knowing there are entertainment options for everyone—even the guests with two left feet.