FLOWERS 55 ENTERTAINM NT Fun, games and entertainment for a standout big day The time of YOUR LIFE To help make your wedding stand out for all the right reasons, it pays to get the entertainment right. For the happy couple, the big day may go by in a flash, but for family and friends, especially travel-weary guests or those with young children, any lulls in the proceedings can dampen the feelgood factor. To make sure your celebration is one to remember, read on for some handy hints and a snapshot of just some of what’s on offer locally. TOP TIPS ❤ The soundtrack to your day can really set the mood and help people get into the spirit of things. Whether it’s a romantic harpist or string quartet playing during the ceremony and post-vows drinks reception or a lively jazz band setting the tone, the music can reflect the style and theme of the wedding and boost the whole atmosphere. ❤ If you’re opting for live music at any stage of the day, try to see the act perform first before booking to be sure it’s the best possible fit for you, your guests, the time and place. Online research and personal recommendations are great, but nothing quite beats first-hand experience. ❤ Rather than packing all the entertainment into the evening, try spreading it throughout the day. A close-up magician is ideal for helping people to mix and mingle during the drinks reception and if the weather’s fine, outdoor garden games are fun for young and old alike. Pick them to match the style of your wedding, with a coconut shy and hook-theduck for a country-fete theme or croquet on the lawn for a sophisticated garden-party vibe. ❤ A prime time for guests to start getting restless is after the ‘I dos’, while the photos are being taken. Why not lay on a few distractions to keep them engaged, like a caricaturist? Not only fascinating to watch, but the drawings also provide a lasting memento. ❤ If you’re tying the knot early in the day, help keep the hunger pangs at bay with a traditional ice cream van, serving up cooling treats before the wedding breakfast or as an alternative to dessert – fabulous for fun wedding photos too. ❤ Throw in a few surprises like singing waiters during the meal, a flash mob dance or choreographed routine with you and your best girls or boys to kick-start the evening party. You could even wow your family and friends with a dazzling first dance by having professional lessons in the run-up to the big day. ❤ Be prepared for a lull while changing over from the daytime events to the evening entertainment. Provide a chillout zone for people to relax and take time out before the party gets underway. A supervised creche or children’s entertainer to keep the little ones amused is also a great idea, especially for parents wanting to cut some moves on the dancefloor. ❤ Trust your professionals – even if you’ve been working on your playlist for ever, if you’re hiring an experienced DJ be open to their expert input, it’s what you pay them for after all! They will know how to work the room and what to play to keep the dancefloor busy all night. ❤ If you’re having a live band, check if your venue has a sound limiter as nothing puts a dampener on the party quite like the power cutting out. ❤ End on a high with a breathtaking fireworks display, if your venue allows, or a sparkler send-off. Even if you have it earlier in the evening, it’s still the perfect finale for the wedding album.
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