Fun Activities
Ever sit at a wedding dinner table next to Aunt Shirley for 3 hours to eat a 20 minute meal? It happens! Especially if you're not much into dancing or don't know many people at the reception. Wouldn't it be great to explore and have an excuse to participate in a couple of activities that engage guests? We think so.
There are so many ways to entertain your guests and create memories for your wedding day. For example, we had a lovely couple that married on a quaint goat farm several years ago. For their RSVP postcard, they asked each guest to draw a goat if they were able to attend, or a chicken if they were not able to attend. On the wedding day, an installation of all the postcards was displayed, and guests were able to see all the creative RSVPs! It was a lovely conversation piece during cocktail hour, and it fit the wedding and the couple (he is an artist and she is a cinematographer).
We encourage you to think outside the box on things you have fun doing that guests might enjoy. However, if you're stuck in a rut, here are a few suggestions to get your brain working.
Make Your Own _______
{Sarah Der Photography}
So many people love to create and have a fun activity during cocktail hour. Why not order some extra flowers from your florist for a DIY boutonniere, headpiece, or necklace station? It may not be as intricate as Louise's necklace from our recent shoot, but the pictures of everyone decked out will be awesome. The Gather Together girls recently made paper pinwheels at an open house over some vino, another DIY option. The possibilities are endless.
Lawn Games
The South and lawn games almost seem synonymous. A game of cornhole (on well-designed, monogrammed boards, of course) entertains both young and old alike. Bocce ball is another fun lawn game. You could even rent an oversized chess set for the lawn from a decor rental company.
Dinner Table Activities
Cards at each guest's place setting could include a crossword puzzle, or a quiz about the bride and groom. This is a great way to get people talking at a table if they don't know each other. A couple who is in finance might have a Sudoku board at each seat, or a couple of writers could create Mad Libs to fill out. There are countless ways to create a fun and interesting place setting.
Love Notes & Advice
{Missy McLamb Photography}
Wishing trees are a classic but still popular item at weddings. Guests are asked to jot dow advice or well-wishes and these are hung on the branches of the tree. Not only is it a sweet gesture, but it also adds a lovely decor element. The advice could then be sealed in a box after the wedding to open on the couple's 5, 10, or 15 year anniversary!
Interactive Guestbooks
From guests signing Jenga game pieces, to writing notes on vintage postcards, to Polaroid photo books, make your guest book unique to you and your fiance. This is an easy way to make memories and add some whimsy to your wedding.
As a tip, Etsy has some amazing ideas and items for many of these interactive activities. Make sure to place these orders and make a plan well in advance for any DIY projects you want to do. It may seem easy now, but tying ribbons, printing sheets of paper, or glitterifying an item takes time and energy (no matter how many bridesmaids you have). When in doubt, your wedding planner is a great resource for DIY project ideas that will engage your guests and be lots of fun!
'Til we Gather Together again...
- Samantha