IT’S A CELEBRATION

So a traditional disco isn’t your thing? There are so many awesome ways to celebrate in style on your wedding day. Here are some of our favourites

words Elizabeth Chester

We all love a floor-filler and most of us find it easy to unleash our inner Beyoncé when the lights dim and the music starts. But a DJ and light-up dancefloor aren’t the only way to celebrate your newly married status. Here are some options for celebrating tying the knot that don’t involve a D.I.S.C.O…

Fireworks

Celebrate post-ceremony with a mammoth firework extravaganza. Working especially well for late afternoon or early evening ceremonies in the autumn and winter months (when it gets darker earlier), combine the show with drinks or food trucks so you can mingle outside beneath a glittery curtain of stars. Guests brandishing sparklers make awesome photographs, too.

Ceilidh

A traditionally decked-out barn complete with strings of fairy lights, bunting and hay bales is perfect for barn dancing. Scottish ceilidh dances usually include a live band and a caller who explains the instructions for each dance. It’s a great way to get everyone up on their feet and mixing. Cue much fancy footwork and lots of laughs!

Quiz

Either individually or in teams, a wedding day quiz – complete with a host in a sparkly jacket if you have a willing volunteer! – is sure to create a fun-filled vibe. Continue your theme with a quiz that encompasses weddings (yours, other family members or perhaps famous people) or any other theme or topic you choose. General knowledge will likely raise the competitive spirits and produce plenty of those ‘oh-I-knew-it!’ moments.

Bingo

Eyes down! Despite all eyes being on the happy couple during the ceremony, a game of classic bingo might be just the thing for you and your guests to enjoy, post-ceremony. We love wedding-themed bingo where each player has to cross out things on their bingo card that were said during the speech, for example: ‘my wife and I’, ‘Love’, ‘Thank you for coming’ etc. Or, alternatively, how about guest bingo where each participant has to tick off things from their bingo card that relate to the guests e.g. ‘this person knew the bride at school’ or ‘this person lived next door to the groom’.

Karaoke

It’s not a do without a good old singsong so make a thing of it and go all-out with a professional karaoke set-up. Being in the spotlight can be optional so as not to terrify any reluctant singers, but feel free to suggest willing members of the wedding party. Bridesmaids, groomsmen or even your father-inlaw might form impromptu groups and you can listen to them belt out the classics.

Live band

Hire a band and then relax and enjoy them playing your favourite tunes after you’ve tied the knot. The sound of live music will always get the party started and, whether you opt for contemporary, blues, jazz, rock and roll or anything in-between, you’ll have plenty of dancers up and enjoying the tunes. You may be able to tailor the setlist to your requirements if your band is willing, and some bands are even open to guests joining them to perform.

Sports day

Sack races, egg and spoon or simply a bride in a voluminous bridal gown atop an orange space hopper – what’s not to love about an old-school sports day? You can go as competitive or low-key as you like with races or challenges, or how about a tug-of-war between the two families? If your venue allows it, use any outdoor space for garden games such as giant Jenga, chess, limbo, hook-a-duck, hoopla or even bouncy castles and gladiator-style duels or jousting sets. Pony or donkey rides or a petting zoo for your smaller guests would also add to the fete-like feel.

Murder mystery

Keep your guests guessing with a murder mysterythemed reception. Either go DIY or hire a company to organise it for you and be prepared for lots of props, plenty of red herrings and a soupçon of suspicion amongst your guests. This is a great way for guests to get to know each other too, so any newbies will be besties by the end of the evening.

Cinema screening

Watch your favourite movie from deckchairs on the lawn or ask your oldest friends or family members to create a montage of photographs from over the years and soak up the romance of an outdoor screening. Time permitting, your photographer or videographer may even be able to screen photographs or footage they have taken of the day. If you’re keen for a stage but don’t want a screen, you could hire musical theatre performers for a dramatic live performance of classic ballads from a selection of your favourite theatre shows.

Circus performers

Fill your venue’s outdoor area with living statues and walkabout entertainers, from stilt walkers to human trees coming to life – or even aerial artists or a synchronised swimming display if your venue happens to have a pool. Performers from all genres will ensure there is something awe-inspiring for every guest to enjoy and feast their eyes upon.

Charlotte Dart Photography

Toby Lowe Photography

iStock.com/Andrey Sayfutdinov