Looking for a few interactive surprises for your guests? If so, here are some of the most popular additions that are hot in the wedding world, that more importantly won’t break the bank.
Are you currently in the middle of your wedding planning and want to add an element of surprise for your guests, or maybe a little additional fun here and there? If so, here are a few fun ideas that won’t break the bank so that your guests can enjoy your entire event so much more, from start to finish!
Photo Booth
Photo Booths can add so much fun for your guests, and even double as an interactive guest book! Whether you’re having someone take pictures for you, or you are using an open-air Photo Booth with an automatic camera, the possibilities are endless! Most vendors include props such as whimsical hats, giant sunglasses, boas and themed signs depending on which package you choose as well as the actual guestbook to put the printed pictures in. Want to personalize the booth even more? Create a custom filter or sticker to say something like “Jane & John’s Wedding, January 1, 2018” or your new monogram. Photo booths can typically run anywhere between $400-$1500 for a 4 hour block of course depending on what style booth you are wanting and with whatever add ons.
If your budget doesn’t allow for a professional photo booth, another great idea is to have a guest book be filled with polaroid pictures! You can buy polaroid cameras in a multitude of colors as well as extra film, will last you far beyond the wedding day (yay-reduced carbon emissions). These cameras run for roughly $55 on Amazon and the replacement cartridges (with 10 prints) are around $13 per pack. As an added bonus, it’s an easy way for your guests to capture pictures throughout the entire reception; toasts, cake cutting, or a hopping dance floor! You can find polaroid- specific guest books with slits already cut for the printed pictures to slide right in, as well as comment sections next to each picture for best wishes.
Live Painter
Live painters are hot in the wedding industry and we couldn’t be happier! Yes, you have a photographer, but this is a little extra special. Your hired artist would arrive at your ceremony or reception a few hours before your guests so that they can start painting the venue, decor, flowers, lighting, etc – basically all of the details. Once the guests arrive, they continue painting exactly what is in front of them. Maybe it’s the couples first dance with both families lining the dance floor? Or maybe it’s the dock looking over the water as the couple makes their grand exit down a canal. Live painters can range from $600-$2,500 depending on what size canvas you want, the artists experience and the level of detail.
Late Night Food Stations
If you and your newlywed are big foodies, I would recommend this interactive option! Lots of caterers are now offering different types of “Late Night Snack Stations” aka something to soak up some of the alcohol. You have options from ice cream sundae bars to pretzel & nacho, candy, donuts, sliders and pizza, to even build-your-own root beer floats! Ideas such as these typically run between $4-$10 dollars per guest.
Themed Signature Drinks
If your wedding happens to fall on a holiday or is a destination, a themed signature drink is an easy way to add a little spark to your reception. For instance, for a May 5th wedding, a Cinco de Mayo Margarita would work perfect! Or maybe your wedding theme is Harry Potter inspired – then serve up some butter beer in a cute mug! If you’re having your wedding in New Orleans, why not serve a classic Hurricane to get the night started? There are endless options when it comes to deciding on a signature drink and even companies to help you create them. We personally love Barseat with RSC out of Nashville! As an alternative, a signature drink could be a common cocktail, such as a Jack and coke or mojito, but with incorporating more personal aspects of your lives – such as your pets’ names!
Pour Your Own Beer Tap’s
Along with late night food stations, another interactive option would be to rent a beer tap! Similar to a draft beer pull system, you would attach the tap to kegs that are hidden behind the pulls. Most caterers require that a bartender of some sort “man” the station for liability reasons, but this is still a super creative & fun way to serve your beer (or really any drink option), and works great in pictures!
Yard Games
Who doesn’t love giant Jenga, can-jam, corn hole & life size chess? Taking the wedding world by storm are giant yard game sets. Whether it takes only 2 to play, or 10, this is something that keeps your guest out of their seats! Depending on the vendor, yard games can run anywhere from $75 per set to $800 depending on the number of parts & pieces required. But common, who doesn’t want to be a knight at least once? If you want to save some money, ask that super crafty cousin of yours to build you your own set of corn hole boards as a wedding gift!
Whether you are looking for something small to keep your guests entertained, or big, there are so many ways to bring a little extra fun to your reception- enjoy!
Happy Planning!
Courtney
