Everyone loves a good wedding ceremony. The hustle and bustle beforehand as distant relatives and long-lost friends reunite and chatter about the impending nuptials is an exciting time. Waiting for the bride to walk down the aisle in her gorgeous wedding dress preceded by her bridesmaids and flower girls is just lovely and watching the couple as they say their vows at the altar can be a very moving experience for some. But when it comes down to it, the reception is by far the best part of the day.
After everyone mingles for a glass of champagne and eventually settles for their dinner and the speeches, it is only then that they can let their hair down. And one of the best ways to enjoy the festivities during the reception is through the entertainment.
Different couples will naturally opt for a different type of wedding - depending on their personalities and values. For example, those who choose to have a very traditional and refined day might go for a string quartet. However, such music is not likely to get the newlyweds up on their feet for their first dance as husband and wife, so it is always good to go for some upbeat and lively entertainment.
In terms of music, people in the UK tend to hire a cheesy DJ with flashing party lights and a bit of microphone banter, safe in the knowledge that he will play all the old disco favourites, from Sister Sledge to the Bay City Rollers. While that is sure to get the party started and encourage merry family members to strut their stuff on the dance floor, some couples might want to select music that is more to their taste. In this instance, drafting a song request list for the DJ a few weeks before the wedding is a good option.
A successful reception can often be judged by how many people are up on the dance floor so choosing the musical entertainment carefully is a must. Jazz bands and swing musicians often go down well at a wedding as they are so up-tempo and lively, as do live bands because they make the music - whether cover songs or original material - more personalised for the occasion.
But, music is not the be all and end all at a reception - especially when it comes to less conventional couples. Some people might want to inject a bit of humour into the evening by hiring a stand-up comedian - particularly one that encourages audience interaction. Having a magician for the entertainment could be equally as fun for the newlyweds and their guests and is sure to give everyone something to talk about.
A particularly good idea for wedding entertainment that is a bit offbeat and original would be hiring a caricaturist. He could make his way around the guests doing their portraits and give them to them as souvenirs of the reception - they could even count as the wedding favours instead of sugar-coated almonds.
Whatever kind of a wedding a couple choose to have, the entertainment is one of the most important aspects of the day and if it is good and enjoyable for guests, it is likely to be one of the most memorable parts.
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