Ways to Involve Your Guests in the Wedding Fun

Let's face it: your guests will play a huge part in making your wedding day one to remember, so why not make it memorable for them, too? Whether you're hosting a small wedding or a loud and proud affair, there are loads of ways to involve your guests in the day. Keep reading for inspiration on including your loved ones in the festivities, ensuring a memorable celebration for all. From dance-offs and wedding capsules to hilarious games on the lawn, this wedding planning feature covers it all!

Create a social media hashtag

Kickstart your guests' involvement even before the wedding has begun, and consider a few of these pre-wedding activities to get everyone excited ahead of the big day.

Encourage guests to share their pre-wedding excitement on social media using a custom hashtag. In fact, your wedding website is the perfect place to communicate your hashtag and remember folks; it's never too early to drum up excitement! Consider having your chosen hashtag on display at the wedding as well; on guests’ tables is a good place and on a few signs dotted around the venue.

Use the hashtag to track guest posts and create a memorable wedding album for years to come. This way, you’ll gather all your guests' photos in one place, taken from loads of people's perspectives that you will likely miss on the day itself - bingo!

To ensure your guests remember and keep coming back to your hashtag, you can also create a buzz around your pre-wedding plans by sharing behind-the-scenes moments and sneak peeks of the wedding prep

Wedding ceremony involvement

Why not invite guests to get involved from the off and encourage them to participate in the wedding ceremony?

Ask one or two special guests to join the wedding party in the processional; think of a cute flower girl or even your beloved pet or favourite animal to add to the fun and emotion of the day Consider having a ring-warming ceremony where guests can bless the wedding rings before you exchange your vows. There are lots of other unique ceremony ideas, such as a tree planting ceremony, the lighting of a unity candle, and a unity sand ceremony where you can involve not just the bride and groom but close family and friends too.

Encourage guests to participate in a community vow or prayer circle. To do this, your wedding officiant could say something like, “And do you, friends and family, promise to support this couple, encourage their marriage, and witness their lives together? If so, please respond with a resounding, 'We do!'”. This kind of audience involvement often brings laughter and smiles all around!

Wedding reception activities

There are many fun ways to involve your guests during the wedding reception proceedings. Not only is the formal part of the day done, but you've got more time to play with, and there are plenty of great opportunities for guests to mingle and relax into the day. In fact, the world is your oyster regarding reception entertainment, and if you're hiring a wedding planner, this is the time they will be able to shine. Just think of all the weddings they have planned with a wide range of entertainment, so pick their brains and tap into their contacts!

Photos, photos, photos! Create a fun and interactive photo booth with props and backdrops for guests to get involved in. Who doesn't love donning a feather boa and funny props for a photo booth? If budget allows, consider hiring a professional photographer AND videographer to capture memorable moments throughout the day.

Ask your wedding photographer to take a big group photo of the wedding party and guests to get everyone involved

Offer interactive games and entertainment Set up a mini golf course or other lawn games, such as croquet or bocce ball, for guests to enjoy throughout the day. Games get guests mingling and are the perfect way to break the ice among strangers.

During cocktail hour, put on games that guests could enjoy at the table, such as 'Two Truths and a Lie.' If guests didn't know each other before, they will after a few rounds of this!

Create a wedding time capsule: Have a table set up at the wedding venue with a box, cards, and pens and ask your wedding guests to write you a note or a wedding wish for the future and pop it in the box. Keep it safe until a memorable wedding anniversary, and read all your lovely notes from your guests

Food and drink involvement

Nothing goes down better than if there's food and drink involved because keeping guests fed and watered keeps energy levels up and smiles on faces! So why not bring some fun into the festivities with food and drink-related entertainment?

Offer a variety of interactive food and drink options via a tasting bar, such as wine and cheese tasting, a prosecco bar, or a pour-your-own beer or cider bar station, all of which are taking the wedding industry by storm right now, and you can find some pretty cool set-ups out there.

Create a custom signature cocktail for your wedding party and guests to enjoy; perhaps it's your favourite cocktail as a couple, or match it to the theme of your wedding day.

Consider hiring a mixologist to create unique drinks; it's fun for guests to be able to get creative and watch their drinks being made in front of them by a pro!

Wedding dance floor fun

There's nothing like a high-impact dance floor at a wedding to get the party going, so make sure it's never empty by considering a few of the following ideas to encourage all ages up to shake their stuff!

A live band or interactive DJ will guarantee to keep the party going. Speak to both beforehand and see if they are prepared to take requests from guests—a surefire way to get guests up dancing if their favourite songs are played!

Alternatively, (if you’re feeling organised!) include a section on your wedding invitations that invite guests to name their top three dance floor fillers, or think about having a dedicated section on your own wedding website so that friends and family can leave suggestions before your big day so that you can pass the list on to your DJ.

Offer a variety of interactive entertainment, such as karaoke or dance-off challenges. Have your wedding toastmaster or MC announce that there will be a dance-off later on in the evening so that guests will have time to prepare themselves for a fun night on the dance floor ahead!

Consider hiring a professional dance instructor to teach a group dance to really get everyone involved!

Whether it’s through fun games, thoughtful activities, or ways to get involved on the dance floor, these little touches will make your wedding even more memorable for everyone involved. By adding unique and interactive elements, you’ll create a day full of laughter, connection, and moments your guests will talk about for years to come. After all, weddings are all about sharing joy—so, let the fun begin!