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Beginner August 2015

Reception ideas....unique and original

OrganisedBride2015, 17 of January of 2014 at 16:10 Posted on Planning 0 29

Hi all,

Need help...again! I have been browsing google and every wedding website I can think of for the last few days for something good for my wedding reception. All of my friends have had chocolate fountains, drink fountains, casino machines, photo booths and sweet tables. Can anyone think of something good and not ridculously expensive for my reception to make it a bit more fun and memorable?

Thanks

29 replies

Latest activity by LondonTablePLan, 21 of January of 2014 at 16:36
  • *MM3*
    Beginner June 2014
    *MM3* ·
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    You, your guests and alcohol!

    No, seriously though the days about being yourselves and having the happiest time. Think of what you'd both like and not so much what other people have had or being different etc.
    Make it as personal as you can and stay true to yourselves, that's what will make it memorable Smiley smile

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  • Alisha.B
    Expert April 2022
    Alisha.B ·
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    Well the above reply wasnt very helpful lol

    you sound like you want entertainment ideas that your friends havnt had, why not try:

    bouncy castles

    coconut shys

    popcorn/candfloss machine

    fish and chip or icecream van

    giant jenga

    limbo

    quiz

    circus performers (stilt walker/fire breather etc...)

    light show (using projectors)

    a dance troupe

    good luck

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  • *MM3*
    Beginner June 2014
    *MM3* ·
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    Yeah JJKCB - you're known for your helpfulness ?

    Point was it's hard to try n make a wedding "different" from your friends cause just about everything's been done already.

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  • kharv
    Beginner March 2012
    kharv ·
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    I think it was! MM3 was just trying to point out that you don't NEED extras to make it memorable!

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  • W
    Beginner December 2014
    WinterBride14 ·
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    Hi, as suggested above, we've gone / going with giant Jenga / Quoits / Limbo. We'd also thought of getting old fahioned games such as Buzz Wire, Kerplunk, Mousetrap....(sorry, depending on your age, you may never have heard of these)....all can be bought cheaply on Ebay / Amazon. A friend also suggested a 'pub quiz' sort of game sheet....not my bag but it might suit other people?

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  • Alisha.B
    Expert April 2022
    Alisha.B ·
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    View quoted message

    but it didnt answer the question or even offer any surgestions

    as to me not being helpful ermmm... I offered actual advice and answered the question, I forgot im so unhelpful when Ive share links, advice, answered questions and even gone out of my way to search for things for others... so unhelpful of me lol

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  • W
    Beginner February 2014
    Wifeytobe88 ·
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    I agree with Matthew's Mummy tbh I think it's nearly impossible to find original wedding ideas, because everyone's ideas come from some wedding blog / forum. Plus, if you were at a wedding in your best dress, would you go on a bouncy castle? It might just be me maybe I'm boring Smiley winking

    The best weddings I've been to have always been where there's a great bunch of people, 'stuff' doesn't make a good wedding (except for good food and drink!).

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  • M
    Beginner August 2014
    MOMB ·
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    Make sure your day reflects you two. What is it about you that is different from your friends? Incorporate that into your wedding and it will be memorable as your day.

    That said, having looked at your list you haven't talked about music: maybe a live band instead of a disco if your friends did that?

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  • Andy_Magicman
    Andy_Magicman ·
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    Your wedding will be memorable because it will be filled with the people you want to be there. If you are looking for something extra, check out my website as I may be able to help.

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  • Merigold
    Beginner June 2014
    Merigold ·
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    It is hard to come up with something original. As soon as he proposed I came up with all sorts of fab ideas..then I went online..and realized that my fab ideas...weren't mine!

    We are having a guitarist/singer who will spend a lot of time encouraging guests to sing along, dance and be silly..looking forward to everyone singing along to some cheesy Bon Jovi songs.

    He will be with us at the ceremony ( where it will be little more subdued and less silly) through to the end of the evening with the sing along starting after our first dance.

    I originally wanted karaoke...but I thought this was good compromise...as the limelight won't be on individuals I am hoping people will feel more comfortable singing along...and if not...well..after a couple of beers I will be singing enough for everyone..*grins*

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  • Cat In A Teacup
    Beginner August 2015
    Cat In A Teacup ·
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    Pretty much what MM3 said!

    If you want something then don't feel like you can't have it just because your friends have already had it at their wedding. It is practically impossible to find something completely unique, so instead of worrying about something being 'too popular' just embrace those things that represent you as a couple and that you will enjoy Smiley smile

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  • LoveHimMegaMuch
    Beginner August 2014
    LoveHimMegaMuch ·
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    Mathewsmummy3......your reply was your opinion, which is what the OP was looking for, therefore it was helpful Smiley smile

    Organisedbride2015.....the best weddings I've been to have had lots of personal touches throughout the entire day. Personally I'm not a fan of big gimmicky ideas like fireworks, but instead I love little hand written notes at each table place, photos of the couple on display....

    But that's my personal preference......I'm sure you'll find the perfect ideas to suit both your personalities! Keep us updated Smiley smile

    xx

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  • SunnyOrangeFlowers21
    Beginner August 2014
    SunnyOrangeFlowers21 ·
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    How about casino tables and/or a swing/jazz band

    *notoriginalcozi'mhavingitbutworthashot*

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  • rubyfirecracker
    Beginner November 2013
    rubyfirecracker ·
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    I don't think being *original* matters so much as doing what reflects you, having all the people you love and who love you there, and putting on a jolly good party - however you define that!! If it reflects you, people who love you will love it, naturally.

    At our wedding, we had madlibs, a fingerprint bike, a homemade photobooth, goodie bags, personalised plectrums and badges, mini windmills, a cakes & candy table, cheese, 2 singer songwriters, 40s/50s music in the afternoon, a normal DJ for a bit, a 60s DJ for the later evening, projections of 40s and 50s dance clips, a ukulele band and me and the groom performed a song too!

    While our wedding might have been a bit different / quirky, all of these things were reflective of us, and what we do / love in our everyday life.

    When I've been to weddings where people are trying to outdo the last wedding they went to / anything anyone else has ever done, it kind of falls flat. The weddings where the couple's love and personalities shine through are always the most enjoyable!

    So probably not helpful, but do what you love. If you love sweets, have sweets. If everyone knows you as a massive cake fan, have a cakes buffet. If you love a bit of a flutter, have the casino stuff! Remember that 90% of your guests will never have looked at a wedding blog of forum so won't be like *ohhh, that's so passe!*

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  • FHB
    Beginner March 2014
    FHB ·
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    Yes these things have all been done before but you need to make them personal to you...

    maybe if you have a favourite movie...the photobooth props could be themed by that for example Star Wars ...or clockwork orange? (Random suggestions - mine would be finding nemo).

    we are having a candy cart with a sweet v salty theme, as my partner loves savoury and I love sweet.

    Getting married isn't an original idea but we all do it, and make it our own. Personal touches make the day!

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  • Laura Ellen Photography
    Beginner May 2014
    Laura Ellen Photography ·
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    I shot a wedding in December which had a scalextric, hand football, photo booth & snow machine. It sounds a lot, but it really worked for the large number of guests they had. The most popular was the scalextric and the booth. Just keep it true to you. A DIY booth can be done quite simply to keep costs down & everyone loves it.

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  • JayneyB
    Beginner November 2012
    JayneyB ·
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    I had something which when I mentioned to my family they weren't convinced but turned out to be excellent!! We had a Balloon Modeller. She made some great creations. And not just for the 4 kids that we had there. She made a Yoda, Top Hat and cane, one of my friends is obsessed with penguins so she made a penguin for her! I admit I had a wobble that it would be a bit 'children's' party' but because she made up requests for the adults, it was a hit! And not too expensive.


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  • O
    Beginner August 2015
    OrganisedBride2015 ·
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    Thank you for all your replies!! They have been really helpful, we are definitely going to focus on what reflects us and not worry about what others have done etc.

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  • JadeElizabeth888
    Beginner August 2015
    JadeElizabeth888 ·
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    How about getting a few bottles together or asking every one to bring one (not as your gift) and making a little 'make your own cocktail' area make se

    cute little straws ect ??? Just an idea .. Hope it helps ❤️❤️❤️

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  • M
    Beginner December 2015
    MrsAJ2be ·
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    You could look into having a pizza station where guests put their own toppings on etc. I think there may be a few companies that provide this service with portable pizza ovens, etc. Not sure on what prices would be like though.

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  • Barnett2015
    Beginner April 2015
    Barnett2015 ·
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    We are not doing pudding with our caterers but are having some local ice cream brought in from a local company. I thought it would be fun and a bit of an ice breaker (scuse the pun!). The ice cream company is on our list of suppliers we are able to choose (my venue doesnt have just one, there are lots so we have a bit more flexibility available to us). It's not really gimmicky or entertaining i suppose but i wasnt too bothered about proper pudding and my OH loves ice cream. We are having sharing platters and lots of fresh bread and local meats for the wedding breakfast so it will be a bit more relaxed than a silver service 3 course dinner. depends what you are going for.

    I have been to a wedding with a photo booth and i thought it was a lot of fun with some lovely and funny photos for the couple to take away. I know a lot of people have them but if i had the money i definitely would!!

    A live band is always good, get people up and dancing!

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  • PureAnnie
    Beginner December 2015
    PureAnnie ·
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    I really wanted a huge tank and hire a mermaid to swim around. But a) I don't think it is possible and b) If it is possible I certainly couldn't afford it!

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  • AuntieBJ
    Beginner September 2014
    AuntieBJ ·
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    Being an old-fashioned kind of girl, when I started planning my wedding and before I came anywhere near hitched or facebook sites or watched four weddings or don't tell the bride, I thought a wedding consisted of getting married to the man of my dreams and then having a party to celebrate so that's what I booked ?

    So, we aren't having a candy buffet or a chocolate fountain. We aren't having a magician or a band or a violin soloist. We're not having karaoke or releasing doves, just a disco and the people we love and want to celebrate with us.

    What I'm trying to say is, just have whatever appeals to you the most even if its something your friends have had and enjoy the wedding for what its meant to be - a celebration of your marriage Smiley smile

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  • L
    Lemon Violet ·
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    Hi,

    My daughter had Alice in Wonderland so had teapots with sangria and vintage mismatched cups and saucers for the toasts. She had a bubble machine, paper character masks and flamingo croquet and large outdoor 5 in a row and jenga games.

    Lynne

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  • L
    Lemon Violet ·
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    Hi,

    My daughter had Alice in Wonderland so had teapots with sangria and vintage mismatched cups and saucers for the toasts. She had a bubble machine, paper character masks and flamingo croquet and large outdoor 5 in a row and jenga games.

    Lynne

    • Reply
  • L
    Lemon Violet ·
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    Hi,

    My daughter had Alice in Wonderland so had teapots with sangria and vintage mismatched cups and saucers for the toasts. She had a bubble machine, paper character masks and flamingo croquet and large outdoor 5 in a row and jenga games.

    Lynne

    • Reply
  • L
    Lemon Violet ·
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    Hi,

    My daughter had Alice in Wonderland so had teapots with sangria and vintage mismatched cups and saucers for the toasts. She had a bubble machine, paper character masks and flamingo croquet and large outdoor 5 in a row and jenga games.

    Lynne

    • Reply
  • L
    Beginner January 1998
    LondonTablePLan ·
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    Hey OrganisedBride!

    We had this themed table plan at our wedding based on the London Underground. We used station names that really meant something to us and our guests (where we live, where our family live, where we work, where our friends go out etc). It was a massive hit on the day! All our guests loved it and said they'd never come across anything like it before. It helped to make our day unique to us and memorable to our guests. If you'd like more details on the seating plan, feel free to PM me for more information!

    Thanks!

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