Keep them happy | Your Scottish Wedding’s guide to wedding entertainment
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Want to ensure your guests are entertained and not clock-watching their way through your wedding day?
Consider these fun and memorable options, which come highly recommended from those in the know…
Strike a pose!
Let us introduce you to Blue Parrot Events Group’s latest piece of wedding ready tech – the 360!
Bringing together the very best software with a whole new concept in capturing your best angles, guests (up to five at a time) simply hop onto the platform and the motorised arm rotates around them to capture the moment.
Once they’ve shown their best poses, a stunning slow-motion video is created and can be shared by text or email right away.
Blue Parrot’s Stephanie Alexander recommends unveiling the 360 as the party is getting started and guests are ready to show off their moves.
One thing to be mindful of though is space, she says.
“It would be best suited to a foyer area or to the side of a large reception area.
“You need approximately three metres squared to allow the 360 to spin freely without risk of obstacles.”
End with a bang
Fireworks make an incredible end to your wedding – or can be an impressive time-filler during the band’s break.
And did you know they can be personalised?
“Clients add elements like extra special finales or having the display choreographed to their favourite song,” says Rachel Dakers of event management, technical production, fireworks and pyrotechnics company 21CC Group.
Make sure to check your venue allows fireworks and consider the time of year, adds Rachel.
“In summer it gets dark later in the evening – displays have to start by 10.50pm to finish by 11pm.”
A guest book with a difference
Going vintage? You’ll adore this take on the traditional written guest book, which doubles up as a super-cool piece of retro décor!
Who doesn’t love a vintage pink telephone?!
“Before your wedding, you can record some words for your guests to hear.
“And on the day, they just lift the receiver and speak after the beep. It’s that simple,” explains Stephanie at Blue Parrot, who also provide a funky neon ‘Leave a Message’ sign and personalised instructions.
“After your wedding our team will send a file with all the messages captured, giving memories that can be cherished forever.”
Pretty as a picture
If you want your guests to get a giggle and give them a unique wedding favour, how about hiring a professional caricaturist?
This entertainment option won’t take up much space (only a table and a couple of chairs) and can fit into any part of your day.
“It could be right after the ceremony, during the drinks reception or part of the evening celebration.
“Whatever suits your schedule of events,” explains Laura Manescau of Ladycaricature.
“It takes me less than five minutes to create a good quality comic book style caricature and my drawings aren’t the typical ‘same eyes, nose and mouth’ for everyone!
“I’ve developed my own style with funny but soft shapes.
“I get great feedback – guests love to spend a couple of minutes chatting with me, having fun and getting the opportunity to keep a good memory of the day.”
Digital photo booth
If your bridal party is a load of social media butterflies, they’ll love a digital photo booth.
This clever piece of kit (all it needs is a few metres of space and a nearby plug socket) will instantly capture memories as high-quality images, GIFs or Boomerangs you can send to your device instantly.
At Blue Parrot Events, booths include a free tension backdrop of your choice and you can personalise to the max with a photo template that includes a custom border, your names and your wedding date.
Have you thought about fountains and confetti cannons to mark significant moments?
Fountains can be used indoors or outdoors as a stand-out background to the important parts of your wedding – we’re thinking first kiss, first dance or cake cutting.”
“Firing the confetti is a great photo opportunity.
“You can choose the colour and most is biodegradable,” advises Rachel at 21CC Group.
“Alternatively, make your guests feel welcome from the minute they arrive with a projection of your initials on the side of the venue or inside the ceremony space.”
Another feast for the eyes!
Surprise them Strictly-style
How do you and your BFFs fancy surprising the rest of the guests with a flash mob dance when they least expect it?
“Dancing is great fun and a brilliant laugh so why not hire a studio for a couple of hours and get the hens, stags or both together to learn a dance they can break out at the wedding to entertain everyone?” smiles Felicity Drever of Learn 2 Wedding Dance.
“It’s simple. The bridal party choose their song and I choreograph it to suit everyone (including how the bride will move in her attire), then teach you how to do it.
“Most groups film the moves on their phones so they can practice before the big day.”
You can sneak this surprise in at any point of the day, although after the first dance is a popular time.
Alternatively, if you’re likely to need time to get a few more fizzes down you, schedule it in for after the buffet.
That said, Felicity has also choreographed brides and their ‘maids so they can blow their guests away as they “work it” down the aisle.
“This is a memory guests will be talking about for a long time.
“And it’s a real highlight for you too.
“Looking back at the photos from right after your flash mob, you’ll see the connection you all had after keeping the secret, then letting loose on the wedding day.”
Caitlin and Callum Phee tied the knot at The Corinthian Club in Glasgow and wanted their day to stand out
“We know what it’s like to be at a wedding and feel like the day is too long in places, plus we knew how much good entertainment can improve an experience.
“So, we focused on creating something memorable for our guests and it worked – they loved it and said there was something to amuse them everywhere they turned.
“We had a photo booth full of silly props, Santa appeared ringing his bell after the speeches (the adults were just as excited as the children) and three feather and glitter-clad burlesque dancers got everyone into the party mood.
“But that’s not all – our parents surprised us with more!
GeO Gospel Choir gave us a Love Actually moment post-ceremony and sang during the cocktail hour, Mickey and Minnie Mouse showed up for me, (I’m a Disney
gal), magician Cameron Young kept people smiling before the ceremony and a surprise saxophonist worked with the venue’s incredible DJ to keep the dance floor full.
“Our choices (and surprises) were close to our hearts.
“So, pick entertainment that suits you – not just something that’s on-trend.
“Think about when there may be lulls – after the ceremony? After the evening buffet? Finally, have fun with it!”
