Please help me keep my wedding guest entertained - I am desperate for ideas! Cheers?

Question

Hi there

I am getting married at a barn venue this year and the only time we could book the registrar is 11.30 in the morning. We have got 60 guests for the day and some of them are grandparents/children etc. There is a gap of about 3 hours in the afternoon - I have got no idea how to keep everybody entertained! It is going to be a really long day for some people - the evening guests will start arriving around 6.30.

We are thinking of a close up magician and large garden games (like jenga) but we are on a tight budget and are worried this won't work for 3 long hours! Does anybody have any other ideas? I would really appreciate your help.

Thanks
Kate

Answer 1

I had an early wedding too with a gap, i rang a nearby hotel and asked if my guests could use it for drinks etc (of course they werent going to turn away trade but best to check) I put on the invites that after the wedding people would be meeting for drinks at ..... and those who wanted to stay did, whereas lots of others who were local went home to rest and change. Have a lovely day x

Answer 2

Maybe rather than trying to entertain everyone for 3 hours, make a list of sites to see in your town, events, shopping, and other things your guests can do. Many guests may opt to go back to their homes or hotels and rest up for your reception. The large garden games is a good idea, but as guests will be dressed up they probably won't participate (it is a good idea for kids, but not necessarily adults.) Does your town have a botanical gardens, zoo, museums, or movie theatres? Is the barn out in the middle of nowhere and hours from any major town? If you're close in, then let your guests entertain themselves and return for dinner. It sounds as if the span of time is more like 5 hours.

Answer 3

At our wedding we deliberately put a 3 hour space in-between the ceremony and the start of the reception.
Where is the reception going to be? Can you not get them to all go there? We put on light refreshments including tea, small cakes and a pick-and-mix sweet area. It was inexpensive but served as a hub for people to congregate around, sit, talk and relax. You need that time yourselves probably to do photography etc.
I would keep the 'entertainmant' to a minimum. Light refreshments are usually all people need - the aim of the day is to get people talking, having specific entertainment will detract from that, and also some people will find it boring whatever you choose.
If you're having it in a barn, this sounds the perfect setting for this option.
At our wedding we split the time between refreshments at the church after the ceremony, and a drinks reception.

Answer 4

Let the guests find their own ways to pass the time. You have enough on your plate (on your big and stressful day) without bothering about others. We had the same problem at my son's wedding, and most of the guests disappeared for a rest, while a few lounged around the bar chatting. So don't worry - things will work out - just keep your cool! Let the parents look after their own children!

Answer 5

Maybe you could organise team games- a game of rounders with your family against his! Maybe a pub style quiz- I bet you could find questions on the net if you googled it, garden games are cool- we want to do something like that. If the kids are older perhaps you could organise a quiz on the surroundings for them e.g. how many diff types of leaf can you find? and get some small prizes. I'ld maybe work on finding stuf for the kids to do, adn that can be done on diff levels, as if the kids are entertained ppl will generally be happy to chat, maybe one of those quizes where you have to find someone who's been to Japan, someone who's met a mamber of the royal fmaily etc with a prize for the winner- that way you get ppl talking, and give them smtg to discuss, if there are older ppl try to arrange so that there is a quiet and comfy place where they can take a break if they need to. You can also have musci playing through a laptop if you invest in some speakers which might keep ppl in the party mood.
Have a fabulous time!!

Answer 6

please do not worry too much, guests entertain themselves. At our wedding the guests enjoyed the grounds at the hotel and caught up with friends and family whilst sipping on champers. They had a great time. At the end of the day there is one person you will be focused on and thats your other half. Believe me this day will fly by so just savour every moment. I guarantee your guests will.

good luck
x

Answer 7

well when i got married usually after the main meal anmd speaches everybody gos home or to the hotel to get refreshed and changed. takes a couple of hours. ppl fuss around u constantly and if u have a bar or music playing they can look after themselves. if ppl are not going to get ready and kids are being crazy just put out some games for them to play they r ur guests and u invited them get them to think of sumit!! dont stress on ur big day!!

Answer 8

for the kids/ big kids what better in a barn venue than to hire a rodeo bull?? of course i dont mean a proper bull, but i think you can hire them along with the operator,for about £120.00. have a competition whoever stays on the longest wins a prize.. i did have a number somewhere ,if i find it i will add it on later?

Answer 9

You are talking about a 10 hour day for your guests....wow! I think they are going to need to take a break if you want to keep them after 6:30 pm. I think you need to have a planned break and resume festivities and 6:30pm.

Answer 10

What about a paper chase for the kids. That will keep them occupied for a while. As for adults try a magician.