Entertainment Trends to Wow Every Wedding
Wedding events can traditionally be divided into two parts: one part formal ceremony, which focuses on the union of the bride and groom, and one part casual reception, which focuses more on dancing, drinking, and dining for guests. This tried-and-true formula for a wedding and reception has proven successful for many brides and grooms, with newlyweds often choosing their reception entertainment from a DJ or band to provide music for their guests throughout the event. However, today’s couples are looking to make their wedding and reception much more than a traditional been-there, done-that event, with trends in wedding entertainment that create a unique experience for all in attendance.
According to the results of a recent national wedding survey, seventy-nine percent of couples said that the happiness of their wedding guests was the most important part of wedding planning. Therefore, much of the guest happiness has a lot to do with what kind of wedding entertainment the couple chooses. From pre-ceremony guest arrivals to post-reception event departures, statistics show guests are happiest when they are fed and entertained. As such, couples should consider providing beverages and light snacks throughout the event to keep hungry guests fed, while the couple’s choice of entertainment serves to keep guests interested and happy.
When choosing wedding entertainment, newlyweds have the opportunity to keep wedding guests both happy and entertained with a wide range of wedding entertainment options. As the most popular wedding entertainment option, music is key for dancing as well as for background during meals. No matter whether the music is provided by a DJ, live band, singing waiters, steel drums, harpist, string quartet, or any other musical choice, music is a necessity for every wedding reception – making it one of the most important choices couples have to make. Once their music choice is made, couples have many additional choices for wedding entertainment and activities for their guests, with budget as their only limitation.
For couples planning to have their wedding ceremony and/or reception in Indian River County (IRC), the accommodating year-round weather expands the list of wedding entertainment choices to include outdoor activities as well as entertainment options that are usually reserved for indoors. According to wedding experts, many of today’s couples are choosing more experiential entertainment options with guests playing a more involved role in order to create an experience that wedding guests will remember for years to come.
Among the latest trends in wedding entertainment are live artists, painters, and/or caricaturists, who require little set-up and area to work, and capture the magic of the evening. The artists create paintings and drawings on-site that become a fun and endearing memory from the wedding event that is captured for the future. As something different from just another portrait or group photo, the work of a live artist is usually available on the same day as the event, and the portrait or caricature offers a more personalized keepsake than taking home a centerpiece bouquet from one of many identical tables.
Another form of wedding entertainment that is currently on-trend and gaining popularity is interactive performers and specialty acts. For couples who want to add an unexpected wow factor to their event, interactive entertainment can keep wedding guests both entertained and possibly, breathless. Among performers, guests may find aerialists performing breathtaking acrobatics above the dance floor, or fire dancers that bring a dramatic flair with every move, or even groups of choreographed dancers, robot performers, magicians, and many more performers that have made receptions even more unique. In addition to acrobats and dancers, couples may also want to consider circus-themed strolling performers such as jugglers, clowns, or balancing acts. However, couples should keep in mind any act requiring a lot of aerial space may be best suited for an outdoor event.
Couples also looking for something outdoors and over-the-top should look under the big top for a uniquely popular wedding entertainment option that includes creating a wedding carnival with games and rides set up in a large open space. This fun option offers newlyweds and their wedding guests a chance to recapture the youthful exuberance of riding a carousel or ferris wheel, as the air fills with the smell of popcorn and cotton candy. For couples with less space available outside—but with just as much fun inside—a casino night is a great way to win. A room filled with the sounds of roulette wheels, blackjack tables, and poker chips being stacked with winnings is a sure bet that wedding guests will have fun throughout the wedding event.
Aside from any wedding entertainment at the top of any couple’s list of options, there’s really only one form of entertainment that is truly at the top and sure to leave every wedding guest in awe: fireworks. Lighting up the sky with a dazzling display of fireworks is being seen more as the ultimate finale of any wedding event. Many couples would agree that when it comes to wedding-related fireworks, the sounds of ooohs and ahhhs from guests can be impressive, but it can never compare to the fireworks in the hearts of the newlyweds.
Photo courtesy of IvoTheCaricaturist
Photo courtesy of Tony Pullen Photography
Photo courtesy of Illusion Fireworks
