Wedding receptions are at their best when everyone is having a good time. If you’ve got guests that run the age gamut from 2 – 102, this can be a challenge. But don’t stress!
There’s enough to worry about as you plan your wedding. No matter who is invited, the two main ingredients; food and entertainment, should be enough to keep everyone happy. If you choose to add age specific things it’s just gravy! The end result will still be a wedding reception.
You’re not curating a children’s birthday party, nor a bingo night at the old folks home. Keep things simple and your guests will appreciate the thought and effort you put into throwing a fun party.
Read on for advice on how to make your wedding reception fun for all ages.
Food
It seems like wedding reception food has been getting more and more elaborate lately. We can appreciate the work that goes into giving your guests a culinary experience, but picky little eaters probably won’t. If you’ve got an abundance of kids who’ll be attending then be sure to add some go-to staples to the menu.
Everyone loves macaroni and cheese and there’s been some pretty creative elevated mac out there lately. See what your caterer has come up with and give it a try during your tasting. You may be surprised how inventive chefs are becoming with such a simple dish.
Chicken is another item you’ll often see listed amongst the main stays on the kid’s menu. But you don’t have to stick to plain old chicken nuggets at your wedding reception. There’re some pretty yummy ways to switch things up. I recently stumbled across a caterer in Pennsylvania that listed several delicious sounding alternatives. Anyone for stuffed chicken with cornbread, andouille sausage, apples and cider glaze? YUM! It’s likely your food vendor also has some good options that will get your guests clucking with excitement.
Late night snacks are another place where you can impress the kids as well as the adults. If you’ve done the entertainment right, (see next section) then your guests will have expended a bunch of energy on the dance floor. Late in the party they may need a pick-me-up to either get them over the finish line or send them home happy and full. Crowd pleasers like warm pretzels, pizza, french fries, and cookies will be quick to get gobbled up.
Entertainment
You’ll remember your wedding in large part for all the special moments you shared with your partner. Your guests will remember it for how much fun they had. Make plans for good entertainment and your wedding will be talked about for years.
I’m a big proponent of live entertainment and believe you can’t go wrong with a lively well-chosen band. The best wedding bands know how to get your guests out of their seats and onto the dance floor with a few well timed tricks. I recently saw a band leader announce, “This next song was a special request from the wedding party dedicated to the couple, let’s everyone get moving to this tune”. And when I asked the band leader who requested it, the response was, “Nobody, we just needed to get the crowd back into it.” And it worked!
The band is just one part of the mix. Adding in some games is a good way to add some fun to the reception too.
You can’t go wrong with lawn games like cornhole, giant jenga, or oversized connect four. These classics are easy to play, hard to master and will give guests a chance to get their competitive juices flowing. Ready to up your games…. uhhh game? Why not try some from this list?!
- Casino Games – Complete with a few tables and hired dealers. Play for funny money and give a prizes to the highest rollers.
- Mini Golf – Mobile set ups are offered by companies across the country. This one operates in Portland, Seattle, Phoenix and Las Vegas!
- Piñata – Fill it with goodies and let guests take a swing at cracking it open. Boom! Now it’s a party.
- Photo Scavenger Hunt – Your guests already have a camera. Give them a fun list of moments to capture and let the games begin.
Guest Books That Get Them Giggling
In addition to food and entertainment, the guest book is another spot on your wedding plan that can make your reception fun for all ages; the guest book!
Unique and unusual guestbooks provide a fun little activity not to mention memories, advice and funny stories to last a lifetime. For instance, the Audio Guestbook is always a hit at my events.
A fun one I saw that will also give perpetual memories to enjoy was wine bottles for guests to sign that the couple will drink on their milestone anniversaries. This might require a little splurging for some special bottles, but they’ll age as your marriage does, and be a good investment for celebrations on your first, fifth, tenth anniversaries, and so on.
A stack of typing paper and a vintage type writer gives guests a chance to get their nostalgia on and write a sweet note to the couple. The clickity-clack of an old typewriter is a fun little soundtrack to add to your reception, and you’ll love reading the vintage-style messages your guests leave you.
Considerations For The Young
If you’ll have guests bringing small children there’s a couple big steps you can take to make sure they have a good time.
Set up craft station areas with simple crafts tailored for kids. It doesn’t have to be elaborate. And it could be in line with your wedding theme. Try a seashell and drift wood art project at your beach wedding for instance. If there’s more than a couple of kids in attendance and it’s worth the effort, create a special kids’ zone. This area can be filled with engaging activities like coloring books, puzzles, or small crafts supervised by a few adults or hired staff. Parents will appreciate the chance to enjoy the festivities while their children are entertained.
Ask the DJ to organize a dance-off with group-specific music. Children might skip around to their favorite cartoon songs, adults can get their groove on with classic rock and old-school favorites, and teens can cut it up to whatever’s hot this year! Plan with a focus on inclusivity so everyone rocks the dance floor with a smile. With music that everyone can dance to, encourage dance circles where each age group can take a turn in the spotlight.
If you’re really dedicated to planning kids entertainment for your wedding, what about scheduling a visit from a favorite character or a performer who can take on roles such as a clown or a magician. Their surprise appearance can delight children and keep them smiling. Planning these activities ensures that young guests have as much fun as their parents, helping create a lively and inclusive celebration for everyone.
Considerations For The Old
Older generations love coming to weddings because it makes them feel young again. Watching the young kids play makes them smile. And seeing a younger generation find the love of their life reminds them of their own weddings and marriages. Use this knowledge to your advantage to keep them entertained.
Grandparents and older guests have memories to share by the boatload, you’ve just got to get them talking. Invite older guests to share funny or touching memories of the couple. These stories often delight everyone and keep the atmosphere joyous. You could do this through a dedicated time during the speeches.
If you’ll be walking around and speaking to each of the tables during dinner, try persuading your great aunt to tell one of her favorite stories to the other guests at the table who may not have heard it a hundred times like you. You can do this at each table.
The band can be your friend when it comes to entertaining older generations too. It’s not uncommon for the band to use a couples dance to recognize the longevity of the marriages of some of your older guests. You’ve seen this before right? The band leader asks all the married couples to come to the dance floor, or to stand up. As he counts higher and higher each couple takes their seat or leaves the dance floor when the number of years they’ve been married is called out. But don’t let this end with just a round of applause for the last remaining couple. Get the microphone in front of them and ask them to tell a quick tip or piece of advice for a long and happy marriage. Tears and cheers ensue!
A Good Time Was Had By All
Remember to balance tradition with modern touches. This approach caters to the varied tastes of your guests. It makes your event memorable and shows appreciation for family and friends coming together to celebrate this special moment in your life. From interactive games to well-thought-out layouts, your reception will be a delightful experience for all.
Let Gather After help you craft a personalized wedding reception that brings your vision to life, ensuring everyone—from the smallest toddlers to the wisest grandparents—enjoys every moment. Reach out to us today to start planning an unforgettable celebration!
