THE TIME OF YOUR LIFE

Fun, games and entertainment for a standout big day

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. 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.

Here in East Anglia, we’re blessed with a wealth of talented suppliers catering for all your big-day entertainment needs. Choosing businesses close to home makes it easier to develop a personal relationship and build trust so you can relax and enjoy yourself, safe in the knowledge that your celebration is in good hands – happy planning!

www.lightofgracephotography.com/ www.photographyatlightworks.co.uk

TOP TIP

Based in King’s Lynn, Norfolk, award-winning magician Josh Maddocks has his own distinctive style and has performed at many weddings over the years. To book a magician he recommends:

“Look for someone with personality who will help break the ice. Usually at weddings there are groups of people that don’t know each other and good entertainment should help them to come together to witness and then discuss what they have seen.”

www.joshmaddocks.com

www.lightofgracephotography.com/ MAGIC MOMENTS

A close-up magician can be a godsend at a wedding, drawing people in and helping them to get to know each other. There’s nothing quite like a bit of jaw-dropping amazement to spark up a conversation and Cambridgeshire magician and mind reader Dean Odell is a master of his trade. The ultimate in interactive entertainment, it’s a sure-fire way to break the ice and create unforgettable moments, great for the drinks reception and during the wedding breakfast, turning quiet moments into highlights. What’s more, Dean also offers toastmaster services to help your day run smoothly.

www.deanodell.co.uk

PIMM’S O’CLOCK

Cambridgeshire-based Banquet Inn’s Pimm’s Bar is a crowdpleaser not only for refreshing drinks, but great photos too. As well as the quintessential British summer tipple it can come fully stocked with a range of other options from draught lager and ales to wine, prosecco, spirits, mixers and soft drinks. For a more specialist experience, think, prosecco and Pimm’s or how about a gin bar?

For plenty of oohs and ahhs, treat your guests to a showstopping fireworks display. Vanessa White of Cambridgeshire-based Whitelightning Pyrotechnics shares her industry insight for a stress-free show:

1. If your heart’s set on fireworks, check first before booking your preferred venue that they are allowed and whether there are any restrictions such as low-noise displays only.

2. Hire a professional display company. Using their experience, they will be able to check out the venue and talk through your ideas, then design something which is safe and enhances the setting to leave you with amazing, lasting memories. They will also liaise with your venue coordinator and have all the relevant training and insurance needed so you don’t have to worry.

3. Look at what extras companies can offer, like your initials lit up in a heart, firework fountains down a driveway, or starting the show yourselves with the push of a button.

www.fireworksdisplayteam.co.uk

FUN AND GAMES

Dreaming of your very own white castle for your wedding day? If that’s a little over budget, how about an inflatable one instead? Great fun for adults and children alike, it’s available to hire in Suffolk and surrounding area and sure to be a massive hit for fun photos. Check out Lily’s Inflatables outdoor games too, including giant Jenga and jumbo Connect 4.

www.lilysinflatables.co.uk

Benn P George Photography

TREASURED MEMORIES

Based in Suffolk, The Little Horse Picture Booth provides great entertainment for all your guests. Built into a 1960’s horse box, it’s a standout attraction with three different packages to suit you and a new signature range of props. Two prints are produced within seconds, one to put into a customised guest book and the other for loved ones to keep, plus there’s an online gallery, so everyone can have a memory to treasure. And if the wedding is taking place off the beaten track, there’s no need to worry about power either, as the eco-friendly photo booth works off-grid.

www.thelittlehorsepicturebooth.co.uk

www.fayeamare.co.uk SWEET TREATS

This handmade candy cart is one of a kind and makes a beautiful addition to a wedding. Owner Chloé Goldsmith of Chloé’s Candy Cart Company says, “Many people assume it will be the children that make a beeline for the sweets, but it’s often the grown-ups that you see gathering around the cart! Our customers can choose their own sweets and for many it takes them back to their childhood favourites like flying saucers and fruit salad chews!”

SOMETHING FOR THE LITTLE ONES

The Little Lending Company offers a treasure trove of great props and decorative details for hire, including this cute children’s tipi complete with Persian rug and cushions inside. Great for the little ones to take time out for a nap or quiet play. www.chloescandycartcompany.co.uk