Most of us have been there … wondering what to do in the hours between a wedding and reception. Consider offering ways for your guests to occupy that time at your reception venue; that way, the bridal party can have photos taken, and then join their celebration with family and friends who are already having a great time.
Game Time
- Provide some board games: Clue, Battleship, Operation – the more interactive, the better!
- Card games: Apples to Apples, Rummy, Euchre – the louder, the better!
- Place a Mad Libs printout at each guest’s seat, instructing them to write personalized vows for the newlyweds – the sillier, the better!
Cocktails & Hors d’oeuvres
- On a cooler day in the autumn or winter, serve guests hot chocolate or hot apple cider.
- Offer popsicles, ice cream, or gelato instead of a cocktail if it’s a warmer day.
- Provide a DJ to entertain guests with music for mingling.
Engage Your Guests
- Design a hand-out for adults to write down their best marriage pointers, while kids in the group can use it to draw a picture of the bride and groom.
- Create a display of photos that chronicle the happy couple’s relationship. Someone might learn something new about the newlyweds!
- Rent a photo booth so guests can take some wacky photos, print extra copies and put them in a scrapbook for the bride and groom.