What (if any) entertainment did you have?

Keane2baMused

Besides the usual band/ dj, did you have any other form of entertainment? Was it worthwhile or a costly filler? Or for those with an upcoming wedding have you planned for any?

Interested to hear feedback and thoughts

theteal

We had a group of Spanish bards playing some traditional music during the drinks reception bit. It was actually great craic. It escalated in to a "Viva Espana" sing along. Then again it was up the side of a Spanish mountain so I don't know how relevant that would be to your shindig.

It was part of the basic package so didn't cost any extra.

dori_dormer

We had a magician for the 2hrs at the drinks after the ceremony. Our ceremony and reception were all in the hotel though. I wouldn't bother if you didn't know when people might trickle in from the church, and might go to their rooms first etc you wouldn't get value for money. People seemed to like the magician tho. Said he was funny and entertaining too. I only got to see one trick though as we were delayed at the photos. Think it was 180? Not certain tho

tracey turnblad

I got married in Spain also... Had flamenco dancers told nobody except the photographer not even my hubby... They were great and got everyone up to dance the floor was full for the night

Toots

We had the string quartet who played at the church playing for 2 hours during the drinks reception. We also provided colouring books and crayons etc for all the kids, but that was a very minor expense. They went down a treat.

pooch90

We had the Kooky Ukes playing ukuleles during the drinks reception, they were brilliant.

Keane2baMused

pooch90 wrote: »

We had the Kooky Ukes playing ukuleles during the drinks reception, they were brilliant.

I absolutely love these but haven't gotten a response from them

We are considering Shane Black magician / mentalist but it's a steep enough price, excellent reviews though so could well be worth it.

dvet

Keane2baMused wrote: »

I absolutely love these but haven't gotten a response from them

That's unusual, in my experience they/their manager were very good to deal with, maybe try re contacting them?

Gatica

Personally, I don't think entertainment outside of some music is necessary at weddings. We always find that weddings are a great opportunity to catch up with friend or family we haven't seen in a while, so end up spending most of the time chatting and mingling. Myself, I actually really appreciate tasty canapes at this time, more than being entertained, but that's just my personal opinion.

stickybookmark

we had a string quartet during the drinks & canape reception, it worked very well with our venue (old country house)

baby and crumble

We're not having anything major but a friend of ours is a cabaret singer so hoping she might sing during the drinks reception bit as the ceremony room is turned around for the meal. If not though, I'm not bothered. A good playlist coming through the speakers is more than enough I reckon. I always feel weird and a little bit rude if there's a performance happening and I don't watch it and react (ie clap or whatever) so I'd feel obliged to sort of look at the entertainment rather than properly chat with people. I'm not a big fan.

Gatica

stickybookmark wrote: »

we had a string quartet during the drinks & canape reception, it worked very well with our venue (old country house)

We had a something similar - a jazz duo in the foyer. My grandparents had a bit of a dance to it, it was sweet...

Atomic Pineapple

pooch90 wrote: »

We had the Kooky Ukes playing ukuleles during the drinks reception, they were brilliant.

We hadn't planned anything but some music from our own playlist through the venues speakers but having listened to their version of Killing in the name of I can imagine they must have been great craic?

Milly33

We went to a wedding and Gerard Kearney The Magician was there I must say I was well impressed. between seeing that he used playing cards that I had at home, and he done the tricks directly in front of you thought it was mad.. I do remember being told he was not too expensive either...

At out own we had fireworks loved them but kinda done ourselves. I was looking into getting a fire show on later but as we had the fireworks there wasn't enough time but price wasn't bad. Cant think of the name now but they are based in Kinsale Cork...

We had games during the day for kids outside

Keane2baMused

dvet wrote: »

That's unusual, in my experience they/their manager were very good to deal with, maybe try re contacting them?

I sent another email this morning so fingers crossed

Keane2baMused

baby and crumble wrote: »

We're not having anything major but a friend of ours is a cabaret singer so hoping she might sing during the drinks reception bit as the ceremony room is turned around for the meal. If not though, I'm not bothered. A good playlist coming through the speakers is more than enough I reckon. I always feel weird and a little bit rude if there's a performance happening and I don't watch it and react (ie clap or whatever) so I'd feel obliged to sort of look at the entertainment rather than properly chat with people. I'm not a big fan.

That's an interesting point to be fair. I've experienced that (at other events not weddings) and you can feel a little awkward/rude unless you keep your eyes on the entertainment

Walter H Price

I wouldn't be a fan of extra entertainment - its always one of two way.. 1) People ignore it 2) people awkwardly watch.clap as they feel they have too.. I will be going for some crowd pleaser type background music from speakers etc - get people talking instead of pretending to watch a magician etc.

SarahMollie

I'm reading this thread wiht interest. My friend is getting married in about 18 months, and has apprently booked entertainment but won't tell anyone what it is so I'm trying to guess.

Just to annoy her, I've guessed;
-stripper
-mime artist
-street dance troupe

Gah! I actually don't care what she's organised, but I hate when people bring something up, and then say "no I can't tell you!"

Walter H Price

We love classical music so were thinking of getting a string Quartet , just a thought at the minute.

What we cant decide is weather to have them in the church or in the private bar in the hotel on arrival.

jaja321

We had a friend playing guitar at the drinks reception - it was really mellow and people really seemed to enjoy it. We then had a Samba band for our first dance - so instead of dancing to a song as our first dance, we played our first song together.. we started off by playing just the two of us and then the full Samba band joined in flash mob style - it was brilliant craic. People loved it as they came out of nowhere. We had a full band and DJ then after.

Toots

Walter H Price wrote: »

We love classical music so were thinking of getting a string Quartet , just a thought at the minute.

What we cant decide is weather to have them in the church or in the private bar in the hotel on arrival.

Some will do both, the one we had did the church and then 2 hours in the hotel afterwards. Our hotel wasn't a million miles away from the church, so there wasn't any extra charge for travel.

ElleEm

Toots wrote: »

Some will do both, the one we had did the church and then 2 hours in the hotel afterwards. Our hotel wasn't a million miles away from the church, so there wasn't any extra charge for travel.

We are doing the same next month, although we are having everything in a hotel, so they will just have to move room. They will play the ceremony then 1.5 hours of a drinks reception.

baby and crumble

I've just remembered that my fiancée is in a bellydance troupe and its traditional that if you're a bellydancer your fellow troupe members perform at your wedding. So there'll be that. Probably at the end of dinner or something.

Gatica

Maybe it's just me, but I would find that cringy, and after a big meal probably stomach churning.

baby and crumble

Gatica wrote: »

Maybe it's just me, but I would find that cringy, and after a big meal probably stomach churning.

Each to their own. It's tradition and very important to my partner so I couldn't care less what the guests think in this particular case. Plus to be honest a good 60% of the guests are performers in some way so it'll be something they are well used to.

Gatica

agreed, if it's your thing and your guests are into it to, then it makes sense for you....
(Sorry, I was actually confusing you with SarahMollie)

SarahMollie

Gatica wrote: »

agreed, if it's your thing and your guests are into it to, then it makes sense for you....
(Sorry, I was actually confusing you with SarahMollie)

So, if it was me who said belly dancing, then its stomach churning, but for someone else you're backtracking and apologetic?

I don't even know who you are, but nice to see I must have made an impact.

Keane2baMused

I had hoped to get the kooky ukes for the drinks reception but I finally got an email back and they're not available, raging as I adored their sound!

Back to the drawing board

Atomic Pineapple

Keane2baMused wrote: »

I had hoped to get the kooky ukes for the drinks reception but I finally got an email back and they're not available, raging as I adored their sound!

Back to the drawing board

Did you get the reply via their own email/contact form or did you have to go to their management agency?

I've had no luck getting through via their contact info on their site for two days so was going to try the management company today.

Keane2baMused

Atomic Pineapple wrote: »

Did you get the reply via their own email/contact form or did you have to go to their management agency?

I've had no luck getting through via their contact info on their site for two days so was going to try the management company today.

It was the management company, Joanna is her name she's really nice. If you'd like her email let me know and I'll send it on.

I had no luck through the contact form either!

stargazer 68

ElleEm wrote: »

We are doing the same next month, although we are having everything in a hotel, so they will just have to move room. They will play the ceremony then 1.5 hours of a drinks reception.

Yep ours does too. Hopefully both will be outside!

Gatica

SarahMollie wrote: »

So, if it was me who said belly dancing, then its stomach churning, but for someone else you're backtracking and apologetic?

I don't even know who you are, but nice to see I must have made an impact.

ha ha... yeah, would sound weird alright. :P
It still would be be cringy for me, but since baby and crumble said it was the fiancee's hobby and most of the guests are into entertainment arts, it makes more sense.
Considering you said "My friend is getting married in about 18 months, and has apprently booked entertainment but won't tell anyone what it is so I'm trying to guess.", I thought you were coming back with the entertainment update.

Atomic Pineapple

Keane2baMused wrote: »

It was the management company, Joanna is her name she's really nice. If you'd like her email let me know and I'll send it on.

I had no luck through the contact form either!

Yes if you could pm me the email you were successful with that would be great, thanks.

SarahMollie

Gatica wrote: »

ha ha... yeah, would sound weird alright. :P
It still would be be cringy for me, but since baby and crumble said it was the fiancee's hobby and most of the guests are into entertainment arts, it makes more sense.
Considering you said "My friend is getting married in about 18 months, and has apprently booked entertainment but won't tell anyone what it is so I'm trying to guess.", I thought you were coming back with the entertainment update.

Ha, no not a peep out of her on that subject! She was like this for ages about her venue too. Her engagement was one of those that was more a matter of when, not if, so by the time it finally happened, I think she had the whole thing provisionally planned in her head.

She knew 2 venues that she wanted and had even already been to view them (!!!) but wouldnt tell any of her friends "incase we got married before her" and stole her venue!

I tried to expalin that we're actually more likely to "steal" her venue if we don't know what to avoid, but however, turns out she'll be married before me so its now a non issue.

I'm not planning some shotgun wedding to somehow swoop in and steal all her ideas so I just don't know why she brings things up but then won't spill the beans!

Keane2baMused

Is she a bit of a drama queen??

SarahMollie

Not normally but apparently weddings can do that to some people!

Is anyone else either being super secretive themselves or knows someone who is? Basically, is this normal?!

Keane2baMused

I know a few women like that in their every day life never mind for weddings! If there's a night out a certain one would keep it a secret what she is wearing.

I wonder is it an insecurity or a little attention seeking even.

baby and crumble

SarahMollie wrote: »

Is anyone else either being super secretive themselves or knows someone who is? Basically, is this normal?!

Jesus no, I'm telling bloody everyone all my plans!!!!!!! Even if they don't want to hear it! :pac::pac:

SarahMollie

baby and crumble wrote: »

Jesus no, I'm telling bloody everyone all my plans!!!!!!! Even if they don't want to hear it! :pac::pac:

LOL

From what I can see, unless they're highly unconventional, a lot of weddings follow a fairly similar path, so I can't imagine she's somehow discovered some groundbreaking pre dinner entertainment that is going to change the world of weddings forwever :pac:

Whats the big deal!

The_Stranger

SarahMollie wrote: »

Not normally but apparently weddings can do that to some people!

Is anyone else either being super secretive themselves or knows someone who is? Basically, is this normal?!

A family member was super secretive about every aspect of their wedding. The colour scheme, band, what the grooms were wearing, just everything. It was ridiculous and everyone just stooped talking about their wedding altogether.

Me on the other hand, have kept nothing but my dress a secret. Everything else I'm happy to talk about and show bits and pieces as I get them. I find it all adds to the excitement.

We collected our rings today. Have to say I had a bit of a moment!! Just realising this is all really happening! It's exciting and I'm so happy but also a little scary at the same time. Hope that makes sense!! haha

Princess Peach

We are having a surprise entertainment for our drinks reception :pac: I dunno, my fiancé wants it to be a surprise. Probably cause everyone knows everything else about the day already!

I'd I was really rich and having a huge wedding I'd so have loads of singers and dancers and performers, cause I love that. Wouldn't care about anyone else's tastes

ElleEm

I am very aware that noone cares about our wedding as much as me and my fella (and maybe my ma!) so I don't get into the secretive stuff. Like another poster says, unless you are planning to be driven on a Harley to get married in a shark tank after a bungie jump in your nip, then noone is going to be surprised! I remember my brother 'letting slip' that he ordered a photobooth, and begged me not to tell anyone. Or a friend of mine going mad when I saw the programme (what are those things called) for her wedding and she asked me not to tell anyone the songs they chose... as if anyone cares! Are people really going to gasp when they realise you chose a pastel for your colour scheme? Or clap with delight when they see your cake of cheese? No! People lose the run of themselves in the lead up to their wedding.

Keane2baMused

ElleEm I just burst out laughing reading your post!

It's so true

SarahMollie

ElleEm wrote: »

I am very aware that noone cares about our wedding as much as me and my fella (and maybe my ma!) so I don't get into the secretive stuff. Like another poster says, unless you are planning to be driven on a Harley to get married in a shark tank after a bungie jump in your nip, then noone is going to be surprised! I remember my brother 'letting slip' that he ordered a photobooth, and begged me not to tell anyone. Or a friend of mine going mad when I saw the programme (what are those things called) for her wedding and she asked me not to tell anyone the songs they chose... as if anyone cares! Are people really going to gasp when they realise you chose a pastel for your colour scheme? Or clap with delight when they see your cake of cheese? No! People lose the run of themselves in the lead up to their wedding.

Ha! This is classic. It might have been more surprising for them not to have had a photo booth!

"Hey, I'm following all the trends, but Ssshh! don't tell anyone, because its a secret!"

SarahMollie

The_Stranger wrote: »

A family member was super secretive about every aspect of their wedding. The colour scheme, band, what the grooms were wearing, just everything. It was ridiculous and everyone just stooped talking about their wedding altogether.

Me on the other hand, have kept nothing but my dress a secret. Everything else I'm happy to talk about and show bits and pieces as I get them. I find it all adds to the excitement.

Yeah I think keeping the dress a secret is fair enough, but the rest, I'd have to agree, nobody cares!

Now that I'm thinking about it, she told me the name of the Band they've booked on Saturday and I've already forgotten, because..... it doesnt mean that much to me! Like, obviously I'm sure she's picked a good band, but I've never heard of them, so in one ear and out the other.

Gatica

Think is, unless you've planned a wedding before, all the details and names of bands are likely to completely slip past you, cos no one knows they're "important enough" to worry about or keep secret.
I definitely notice more the little things since our wedding.