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Original poster

Surprise entertainment

22 replies

Angbunnyboo · 29/05/2021 18:49

Due to circumstances way beyond my control, we have had to change our original wedding and are now having a mini wedding in a private dining room. I am sorting out a brilliant menu with the chef, the drinks list that the hotel offers is fab so I’m sorted there but I don’t know what to do about entertainment.

There are only going to be 14 of us so it’s not like we’ll be having a massive boogie but I did think of singing waiters as a surprise. Is there anything else you can think of that I could use as entertainment for such a small number?

The people attending have stood by us during a recent bought of illness and I want to give them a wonderful day and make it as special as possible.

Can you think of anything else I could do? Would a quiz later in the evening be too weird?

I’d be grateful for any suggestions no matter how outlandish. Money is not a concern.

OP posts:
Workyticket · 29/05/2021 18:52

We've booked a caricaturist for ours. He mingles and draws guests

katy1213 · 29/05/2021 18:58

If I got wind of that, I'm afraid you'd have 13 guests. Awful - especially in a small group when there's no chance of escape. Why do you need to entertain people? Surely they'll talk to each other!

Mumdiva99 · 30/05/2021 06:12

What about a musician? I had a great pianist.

We also had the best balloon modeller I've ever seen. Even the adults were amazed. But that wouldn't really work if you have no kids.

Close up magic is good too for a small group.

Or hire a casino to come and entertain you.

MrsTerryPratchett · 30/05/2021 06:15

Singing waiters I would actually make my excuses and leave. I honestly couldn't bear it. Quiz would be great.

bellsbuss · 30/05/2021 14:11

I think the singing waiters is a great idea, been to a few weddings with them and are really good fun.

BunnyRuddington · 01/06/2021 11:21

Is it just the one room and how many hours are you planning to be there for?

Original poster
Angbunnyboo · 01/06/2021 13:01

It’s just one large room but it leads out on to a terrace. We’ll be there from about 5-11pm.

OP posts:
Tuckedinbelly · 01/06/2021 13:08

Sounds like a lovely wedding but I too would skip the entertainment. Proper cringe with a small group. Set up some music.

ineedaholidaynow · 01/06/2021 13:14

Do all the guests know each other?

Sssloou · 01/06/2021 13:15

Bit risky - reminds me off those toe curling episodes of Come Dine with Me when the entertainment turns up. Depends how intrusive it was, what your mix of guests are and at what part or the day it was .... if you were all old friends and close family who regularly enjoyed a sing song / karaoke then it would be fine when everyone was well oiled - but if the ILs don’t really know each other and are a reserved it might be v uncomfortable and an atmosphere killer.

Toilenstripes · 01/06/2021 13:17

A Spanish guitar can be romantic or upbeat. Gorgeous music.

Twinkie01 · 01/06/2021 13:22

A decent magician who can go around doing card tricks and getting guests involved with them. We've been to a few parties with one and it always goes down well.

EastWestWhosBest · 01/06/2021 13:25

A quiz sounds fun but singing waiters is not to my taste.

ElizabethinherGermanGarden · 01/06/2021 13:38

A friend has a magician at her wedding. I hate that kind of thing but he was actually very good. Having said that, it was an interruption to a great conversation with friends. My sister had a caricaturist and it was terrible - horrible, unfunny pictures that either upset people or were unrecognisable.

From 5pm-11pm with people who know each other, you probably don't need entertainment.

EastWestWhosBest · 01/06/2021 13:40

Music might be nice though. A live band of some sort.

Lottapianos · 01/06/2021 13:41

'Why do you need to entertain people? Surely they'll talk to each other'

This X 10000. People won't need entertaining - they're adults, they can chat. I'm afraid I would be horrified by all the suggestions above

Lottapianos · 01/06/2021 13:42

Just seen that you want to make the evening special for people. That's lovely. PLENTY of good food and drink with no long waits, and you're golden

BrownEyedGirl80 · 01/06/2021 13:42

Our friends had a magician.He was v good.

senua · 01/06/2021 13:45

Why does it have to be a surprise?
Surprises have an "ooh" factor for, at most, a nano-second. Surprises are over-rated, imo.

bert3400 · 01/06/2021 13:45

We had drummers suprise our guest, really electric dancing group, who after doing an amazing routine and getting everyone dancing, let us all have a go. It was entertaining and hilarious .Here is a link similar to what we had, obviously this is a street festival but you get the idea

Sssloou · 01/06/2021 13:53

Could you do fireworks or the new drone type to music - that could be uplifting.

I think the quiz would only work if it was something light, fun and involved facts about the guests or the couple.

CheerfulBunny · 01/06/2021 13:55

You know your guests so know whether conversation is likely to flow or need pepping up. As others have said, I'd find the singing waiter thing a bit cringe but your circle might love it I guess. I'd likely go for a bit of background music and let things develop naturally. 5 to 11pm sounds like a long time now but wedding days go in a flash! What about having some party games in reserve if it goes a bit quiet and you think people would be up for it? We've had some brilliant new year's eves which were hilarious and very memorable with silly games.
As an aside, one of the best/most flamboyant weddings I've been to had a troupe of showgirls in feathers and sequins bursting on the disco in suddenly and starting a dance routine - maybe not appropriate in this case though Grin

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