Not to be cheap but does anyone know of inexpensive ways of entertainment for a wedding?

Question

Like food items (without everyone thinking you are just a cheap jerk) or music. Does anyone have any creative ideas for entertainment for a wedding other than traditional things. This would be a traditional church wedding but I would like the reception to be happy and fun and with a little creativity but I don't have the biggest budget in the world. Maybe 150 guests. Taking place in the US most likely LA area in California. Thank you very much for your help!!!!

Answer 1

I did a theme wedding, also did research in college did a paper on it. I did a Renaissance theme and had all foods eaten by hand-no forks like Medieval Times, and put this on the invitations so people knew ahead of time, made out a menu, the only thing I ordered out (source) was the bread. I had all wooden bowls and fruit, bread baskets, and cooked hens. set the table up like a Kings feast! I used the Christmas beads (wrap around the tree) and placed them in wooden boxes (dollar general stores) and gathered tons of pennies and placed them like offerings all around the table. I hired a DJ to play Celtic music during dinner than dance music after that ($350.00 for DJ) the hens I cooked myself but placed them in foil pans wrapped in foil, made 3 days ahead, froze, then took out the day of the wedding, kept them hot on the grill and served them as needed. I hired two teenagers, a boy and a girl, bought their costumes, she was a wench served around to where people sat, and the boy was dressed as a jester, he rode a unicycle and juggled for entertainment. The desserts were made in eatable cups and placed on trays, again -no silver ware- they didn't have it in the 14 century! so I got off cheap-cheap- and everyone thought it was so neat! Our parting gifts were things I got at the dollar store and made copies of our picture together and placed inside and wrapped in ribbons from the craft store, again less than wedding parting gifts and it was personalized and done by the bride. we have a pool, so I used Styrofoam and placed candles on them, wrapped plastic ivy around them, tied fishing line and sinker, to keep them in place and turn off the pump, so water wasn't circulating. used tree lights to make a dance floor hopping/happening on pool deck, and tiki torches all over for lighting, candles on all the tables, along with disposable cameras (buy on line) comes with a tent saying please take photos for the couple, and etc.. and leave on tables. I bought cloths from Walmarts to cover all the patio tables and chairs, really had the atmosphere going, tents set up for the food to be placed in,served beer in a keg disguised as Honey mead, and served wine out of pitchers bought at Walmarts, looked aged, and lots of plants, that I could keep after the wedding. I may have left something out-you can always email me for more details, another option is a luau reception, very popular near the beaches, and do a Hawaiian theme! It is so much fun doing it yourself, I am so glad I didn't hire anyone, I was creative and got all the credit! The newspaper wanted to do an article on it, it was pretty amazing and I spent less than 800.00, that was my budget to work with! Congratulations BTW! Tash

Answer 2

My Nephew & his new wife had a really cute, inexpensive wedding. In their case she wanted to be married at her parents home. Their wedding started at 9p.m. They were married in a gazebo under the stars. White lights everywhere (very inexpensive idea). White balloons with gold or silver mylar ribbon would look nice with the lights too.

Being such a late affair they did not serve dinner, just hor'derves & picky foods. Maybe you can get an inexpensive caterer to do this. It's always nice to rent some linens & china to give it all a formal look. Ask the caterer about that too. You can either hire a bartender or get a friend to do it, if they know what they are doing. A less expensive way to go with alcohol is to only serve wine and beer.

You don't have to do this only outdoors. You could rent a hall and create a lovely atmosphere with some of the suggestions listed above. I did something similar. Also, Potted Mums for centerpieces looks great. Just wrap the pots in gold or silver shiny paper or white lace. Good Luck!

Answer 3

Have an evening wedding starting around 6:30 - 7pm. with your reception starting around 7pm or 8pm. This way you can do an all dessert reception. It's after the time guests would require dinner. Have your wedding cake along with things like a chocolate fountain, cookies, tarts and maybe even a candy station. This will also double as your favors. Get Chinese take out boxes or glassine bags for your guests to pick the candies they like and take with them. The chocolate fountain would definately be a conversation piece and guests will flock to this station. If you have family members in the area that can bake, have them bake a few of their favorite desserts. If you feel the need to have some regular food then do a few light appetizers as well. If the church has a piano, hire a piano player to play some tunes during your reception. You might even get help with that through the church.

On the other scale if you did your wedding earlier in the day you can have a brunch reception. Maybe serving all salads, not your normal every day salads but gourmet salads. Pasta salads, fruit salads, some including meats, and some without. Some cold and some hot. Look for more upscale but doable recipes, salads that are not your everyday types but more gourmet. Another idea for entertainment is to see if you can hire a few choir members to sing a few tunes during the reception.

Good Luck with your Wedding!

Answer 4

I had an evening wedding and instead of a big traditional meal- I had a catering company do soup and sandwiches. It was still very elegant and filling but half the price. I also had a couple of my friends help and we did our own decorating with balloons and candles. Again very elegant and professional looking.
You could pick an nontraditional theme for your reception that would call for things to be a bit more casual if your friends and family would go for something like that- maybe a Hawaiian theme or another cultural theme where it would fit to serve finger foods that follow the theme. That way it might seem fun and interesting and not cheap.
You could perhaps have the reception at park or beach instead of renting a hall, although it might not be any less expensive if you have to rent tables/chairs etc.
Hope this helps- have fun!

Answer 5

I think one of the biggest expenses will be the decorating. You end up spending so much on linens, flowers, centerpieces, etc. If you make your own you'll save a bundle. Some candles and creativity will go a long way! . . As far as food goes, think about doing a buffet style instead of sit down meal. That'll cut costs, and people won't be turned off by that. Then explore who has cheapest options for buffet style meals, and cheapest plan.

Answer 6

A pig roast on rotisery, buffet style. you can rent the rotisry and buy the pig yourself. But that's a lot of work.

Music well being a muscican I can say you might be able to find a good band for 5-600 dollars and ask them to provide dancable music inbetween. This will save on a DJ and provide all the equipment you need for speches too. Ask the lead singer to MC the night. And don't forget to tip them for the extra work they're doing (the brides dad usually tips) DOn't forget seating arrangements for the band. Somehwere out of sight and mind.

Answer 7

Do you wedding in the early morning, and then a breakfast afterwards. Or do it later in the evening when you can serve wine , cheese and finger food.
Make it a theme wedding with a western twist, then you can do barbeque and all the fixin's All less expensive.

Answer 8

Hi! One thing i did for my wedding was bought a heap of cheap disposable cameras (the type with the film in them) and decorated them with stickers and texta's. Then we put 2 on each table at the reception. Our guests took a heap of photos for us and also had fun doing it. It entertained us and saved us money on photos. On the food side, a friend of mine had her wedding early in the day and the reception was a brunch, she had just light finger foods like mini croissants, pikelets and mini quiches. Good luck!!!

Answer 9

you could have the reception at your house, that will save you a TON of cash.

my aunt did it this way and they had a bbq cook out, it was more fun and less expensive than the traditional reception. for entertainment, we all made mix cd's ahead of time with dance music and played those.

best wishes.

Answer 10

These sites should be of help for you. They will at least set you up with a guide to get you going.
http://budgetdreamweddings.com/weddingplanning/?cat=15
http://www.do-it-yourself-weddings.com/wedding-finger-food.html