The right entertainment can make or break your wedding reception. Your entertainment adds to your wedding setting like an accessory, creating the right mood, tone, and hype for your guests.
With that in mind, it can be confusing to know where you need entertainment and what type of entertainment you want for your wedding. Whether you’re thinking of a DJ, live band, cultural performance or live food stations, your choice should reflect your personal style and values.
Entertainment is strategically planned throughout your wedding to flow seamlessly and keep the night high-energy. If you want the best tips on how to pick the best entertainment for your wedding reception, we’ve built this guide to help you navigate your options to ensure an unforgettable night of celebration.
Live Band vs. Wedding DJ: Which is Right for You?
Music enhances every situation. When you are sad or need energy, you put on some music to lift your spirits. Scientifically speaking, music works with our neuroplasticity to strengthen memories. That’s why the type of music you have for your wedding is so important.
Your two options are a live band or a live DJ. A live band adds hype and energy to your wedding reception by creating a concert-like atmosphere. A live band is also extremely personal; many cultural weddings feature musicians or singers from that culture. A DJ is great for adding variety, versatility, and an extensive repertoire of music and genres.
The final two things to think about are balancing music throughout the event and the budget.
Incorporating both live band and a DJ gives you the best of both worlds, being able to strategically place the music throughout your reception, so there is never a dull moment. For example, an acoustic set for welcome drinks and a DJ set for end-of-the-night dancing.
If you have a limited budget, it may limit what you choose for your wedding reception music. Keep in mind what is important to you here.
The final takeaway here is that music is personal to you and the atmosphere you want to create. You will associate your wedding reception with the music played and the moments made. And music will flow through your reception from the moment guests arrive to the moment you drive off. What will your wedding soundtrack be?
Consider Your Venue’s Space and Acoustics
Before booking your 10-piece band, you need to ensure your venue can handle the job. Check the venue’s stage size, power supply and acoustic properties.
You should pre-plan where your band will be placed, ensure there is enough space on the dance floor, and ensure there are suitable acoustics, so every entertainer and band member’s music is heard. There needs to be enough power to accommodate all musical equipment. Check your venue has these capabilities to ensure a smooth night and avoid any unexpected issues.
All of Navarra Venues’ Grand ballrooms are fully equipped to handle high-end AV (audiovisual) and large entertainment setups.
Incorporating Cultural Entertainment and Traditions
Your wedding is personal to you and your culture. The best way to enhance a wedding reception’s entertainment is by incorporating your culture into the night. Examples include a Lebanese Zaffe, Greek musicians featuring the bouzouki, or a traditional Chinese lion dance.
These performances energise the room and honour family heritage. They also pave the way for guests to engage in cultural dancing and etch cultural moments into the night. Plus, keep your wedding reception traditions beautifully continuing.
Interactive and Unique Entertainment Ideas
Music is one of the most important aspects of your wedding, but there is a list of amazing entertainment options that you can use to enhance your night.
Here is a list of live entertainment you can add to your night that will enhance the atmosphere.
- Live painters/artists: guest portraits, abstract artist, speed painter, wedding mural, palette-knife painter, cartoon artist
- Roaming instrumentalists: saxophonist, violinist, brass band
- Photo booths: traditional photo booth, 360 video booth, confession video booth
- Interactive food stations: nitrogen ice cream bar, cocktail theatre, late-night food truck, oyster shucking station, sushi train
- Audio guest book: recorded messages from guests
- Dancers: flash mob, ballet, hip hop
- Statement tech: projection mapping, drone light show, fireworks display
This secondary entertainment keeps guests engaged when they aren’t dancing. Strategically place these entertainers in moments during the night when there may be a lull, such as during welcome drinks and dinner, and to break up long periods of dancing.
These entertainment ideas can serve as keepsakes for your guests and you, adding to your wedding day album of memories and stories. For example, a live painter or an audiobook creates a keepsake gift (a painting or audio recording) you can take away to remember this special day. The entertainment becomes a once-in-a-lifetime moment you can capture.
Planning Your Entertainment Timeline
The final step in entertainment planning is to provide a basic run sheet. For example:
- A roaming band is to play on guests’ arrival with canapes and bubbly.
- A Zaffe is to introduce the couple.
- The live band is to play post drums.
- Gentle background music and ballet dancers to perform during dinner.
- DJ is to pump up the energy after speeches.
Pacing is important to keep the energy high until the final farewell.
Bring Your Dream Reception to Life
The most important takeaway is that the best entertainment reflects your couple’s personality.
To summarise, music is essential for your wedding. Pick the music that will play for the duration of your night and ensure the wedding venue can handle the technical requirements.
Incorporate your culture into the night; the entertainment should reflect your culture, traditions, and values.
Think about how you can enhance entertainment for guests and yourself, whether that be through a unique entertainment idea as a memory or as keepsakes.
Finally, plan the wedding reception entertainment from the moment the first guest arrives until you drive off as newlyweds.
Couples can also work closely with their venue coordinators to ensure seamless AV and staging execution. To learn more about how you can work with Navarra Venues to enhance your wedding reception entertainment, get in touch today.
