A small wedding reception doesn’t have to be any less memorable than a big, fancy affair. If anything, you shouldn’t be afraid to take a cue from the “big” wedding playbook and scale it to fit your small wedding reception. Make your wedding guests feel like they’re part of a very big day (which it is, for you!) with these “big wedding” wedding entertainment ideas.
Options, options, options
Even if your guests are seated around one (very big!) wedding doesn’t mean they need to feel like they have only one way to have fun. Instead, give your guests different options for fun with table games, wedding dance games (talk to your DJ about games they’ve seen work!), a photo booth, and surprises. Then, do what couples who throw big wedding receptions can’t: reach out to your guests with personal touches at the dinner and on social media (like posting their photo booth pictures or posting the trivia winners!).
Dinner AND reception music
Just because you are hosting an intimate dinner doesn’t mean you can’t have dinner music (and, as a bonus, an emcee!). When you search for a DJ, ask if they can provide dinner music as part of the package. A DJ for dinner music also gives you an announcer that can host a trivia tournament (while your guests are waiting for dinner or desert), announce toasts and other special parts of your dinner program, and can even direct tables to head up to your buffet.
Coordinate special group photos
This is a bonus of a small wedding: the ability to host a special group photo without the faces looking like specks! To pull off the ultimate group photo, ask your photographer for ideas. Choose a DJ that has experience coordinating the photo with your photographer (you’ll need your DJ to announce and make sure the photo is taken at the right time). With everyone on board, you’ll get a memorable memento you’ll prize forever.
Host a tasting
Tastings are a fun food and drink trend—and a fun way to engage guests at your small wedding! Talk to your caterer for sweet food or drink ideas (choose something that fits with your theme). Don’t forget to let your DJ know too; they can choose music and make announcements that take your tasting to the next level.
Fuel the fun
A small wedding may be intimate but it doesn’t have to be short. Set up a full evening worth of wedding reception activities: surprise entrance by the newlyweds (ideas here), wedding dance games (ask your DJ for games that were a big hit at other weddings), group photo, trivia and contests, and late-night refreshments that keep your guests on the dance floor.