THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO KEEPING YOUR GUESTS AMUSED

All the way from A to Z there’s never been so much choice when it comes to entertaining your guests, writes Claire Muir. Prepare to be inspired!

Keep your guests busy while they’re waiting to be fed and encourage them to share words of wisdom for the newlyweds.

Jade Esson Photography

Quirky caricatures, penned by the likes of Neilsart or The Kilted Caricaturist, can be a great ice-breaker – book your illustrator for the drinks reception, evening or both. “Interaction with guests watching is as much fun as with the victims being drawn,” says The Kilted Caricaturist, Tony Docherty. “They also get a reminder of the special day.”

Neilsart

The Kilted Caricaturist

How impressed would your guests be if an eagle or owl flew over to deliver the rings to a (pre-trained!) best man? Bespoke birds of prey wedding services, from interactive flying demonstrations to up-close-and-personal photo sessions from the likes of Elite Falconry, will guarantee the wow factor.

The Kilted Caricaturist, Tony Docherty

You may think they’re just for children’s birthday parties but actually, adding inflatables to your wedding entertainment repertoire will earn you brownie points with big kids and little ones.

Are you ready to sparkle and shine? Then bring your venue to life with your very own twinkly dancefloor! Check out Glasgowbased Party Booth’s glam LED dancefloors, available in different styles and sizes to suit your wedding vibe.

So naturally we have two fab ways to enhance your celebrations! Firstly, create a relaxing atmosphere with a firepit. Owner of Firepit Hire Scotland, Alister Reid explains, “Our special wedding package includes fully-insured firepit rental with an insured attendant, marshmallows to toast and a selection of blankets to keep guests extra cosy.” Then round-off your wonderful wedding

with a professional pyrotechnics display that’ll captivate your guests from the first firework. For something really spectacular Chris Sharp, sales assistant at 21CC Group, recommends a pyromusical display.

From the vintage classics (rustic ring toss, skittles and croquet) to giant Jenga and super-sized Snakes & Ladders, a gorgeous range of garden games will keep the masses occupied while you sneak off for photos.

Rubislaw Studio

21CC group

The sight of a scrummy, succulent turning roast always gets people talking and Highland Spit Roasts offer sizzling options for outdoor and indoor weddings. Yum!

What’s better than a cool ice cream on a hot summer’s afternoon? Pick your flavours (the finest Italian ice cream or a classic Mr Whippy?) ahead of time and watch your guests roll up on the day.

How about breaking up the speeches with a wedding day comedian? It’ll get guests talking… And maybe even participating!

Save this one for later into the evening and you’re guaranteed hilarious results!

Whether you go classic with an XXL set of LOVE letters or get creative with tabletop illuminated letter hire, these sparkly statement pieces will prove their worth the moment you check your Insta stories!

When falling waiters, frustrated chefs and secretly placed wedding guests all suddenly reveal themselves as professional entertainers, you realise the element of surprise is everything for Singers Secreto! Manager Stephanie Strachan explains, “Our director, Conor Taggart, and a small number of performance colleagues noticed there was often a lull during the meal at weddings and they decided to change that. After working hard to create an act to engage guests of all ages, they were soon surprising and delighting couples across the country with their dynamic performances. We always aim to get napkins in the air and start a party that guests won’t forget any time soon.”

Lisa Gibb

It’ll already be the most magical day ever but how about adding an illusion or two? Fringe Festival regular Lorenzo ‘Renz’ Novani loves performing at weddings, amazing crowds with playing cards and incidental objects like phones, coins and bottles. “Can you imagine the faces of your guests as a stranger walks up to them, picks up their empty bottle and pushes it through the solid table? Better still, some tricks are customisable and can be made completely unique to your wedding,” he explains. On request, Renz can also do a 10-minute session just for the happy couple.

If your other half has a long-time celeb crush or there’s an in-joke with your squad of pals, why not schedule in a guest appearance with a lookalike on your big day? These need no introduction… They’re a guest magnet! Be sure to put your own spin on the experience, though – personalise your backdrop, props and booth exterior.

How about breaking the ice at dinner with a bit of healthy competition? Stock up on trivia cards or get involved yourselves with a Mr & Mrs, Mr & Mr or Mrs & Mrs quiz between courses!

We love a theme at Your Scottish Wedding and the Gatsby era is one that’s never going to get old.

How about showcasing some specialist musicians? We’re thinking bagpipes on arrival, a string quartet while they wait for the ‘I do’s, an acoustic guitarist at canapé time and a harpist for chilled mood music during the meal.

If interactivity is important to you, you’re going to love Boogie Box’s digital flash mob vids! “It’s set up like a photo booth and guests pop in to record short sequences of movements that turn into to a fun-filled digital memory,” says Constant Vigier at Boogie Box. FYI, there are hen party options too – in a professional dance studio with a little choreography and a lot of props!

Boogie Box Manta Ray Events

Beautifully unique, The Little Margarita Truck will wow your guests with their frozen margaritas, sangria and the total gorgeousness of their bijou truck!

Another letter, another theme and this one’s all about Vegas, baby! Turn your venue into the entertainment capital of the world for one night only – Manta Ray Events will help you out with photo booths, banners and even showgirls!

Manta Ray Events

Fun rounds of blackjack, roulette and poker can provide hours of entertainment. At Manta Ray Events, Matt Lee says, “Everyone gets a fun money voucher personalised in advance by the happy couple, usually with their wedding date or a special message. Just hand it to one of our professional croupiers and you get a stack of chips. At the end of the gaming period the highest earner/chip leader gets a bottle of champagne and a winner’s plaque.”

Excess energy even after a night on the dancefloor? Get your guests to take a swipe at an adult-only piñata, filled with mini-bottles of booze, luxury chocs and cheeky wedding favours. Kids around? Get them their own!

Make your guests feel like VIPs with a dramatic red carpet and let the posing begin!

Fruin farm

Not all guests have to be human – how about having an animal as your ring bearer? Fruin Farm in Helensburgh offer alpacas and woolly llamas for hire and they’re a big hit for guest selfies, too!