Pre-reception Activities
Depending on the type of wedding, whether it is formal or casual, indoors or outdoors, considerations must be made for guests who have come to the wedding and are waiting for the reception to begin.
If the wedding has been quite casual and has been in an outdoor setting, the guests can be offered light refreshment at the buffet table with background music. Perhaps there is a teen band who would be thrilled with the chance to perform.
One suggestion is that the wedding photos could be taken in the yard where the other guests can observe the photographer at work.
Providing that you have enough available space, another yard area could be set up with volley ball nets or horseshoes allowing guests to choose to play while they are waiting. Cards could be made available for those guests who might like to start a euchre or canasta tournament with people moving from table to table.
If the wedding is on a very warm day and there is a swimming pool available, guests could have been reminded to bring their bathing suits and towels. Of course, children have to be provided with an adult to watch over them while they swim. For smaller children, a kiddy pool could be provided.
For a beach wedding, this is perfect as the water is readily available. A small pool should still be brought for the little ones and your party should be set up in an area where there is some shade available. In this case, some guests could get some of the picnic tables together and the refreshments put there for the party.
If the wedding is taking place in a park, there should be a building where there are picnic tables set up for the refreshments. This is very important should the weather turn to rain. You may want to contact the park beforehand requesting use of this area for that specific day. It would be a disaster if you arrived and found that this area was already being used by another group. You might suggest on your invitations that guests bring their own lawn chairs for their comfort.
Blankets could be brought also for those who might not want to sit at picnic tables for a long period of time. They can also be used for children with toys to entertain them.
If the wedding is either at a park, beach, or in a back yard, you may choose to have friends with camcorders to do the recording of memories. You might have a friend who would be willing to bring a camcorder and walk around, speaking to each of the guests, and asking them to give a message for the bride and groom. What a wonderful way to keep the memories of your blessed wedding day. Wedding photos get taken, everybody enjoys the reception, and the newlyweds leave for their honeymoon with smiling faces!