Should You Have Additional Entertainment at Your Reception?

Discover the benefits of hiring a performer for your wedding.

Should You Have Additional Entertainment at Your Reception?

hiring-performers-for-your-wedding-reception-additional-entertainment
Photo: Turn Loose the Art

When it’s time to decide on entertainment for a wedding reception, most people think of one question: band or DJ? That’s certainly an important choice to make, and it is really all you need to provide in order to create a party atmosphere. But for some brides and grooms, it’s just not enough.

If you want to go above and beyond for your reception, consider hiring an additional performer to entertain your friends and family. It’s a guaranteed way to ensure that your event will be memorable, although surely you and your new spouse won’t require anything besides your vows for the day to remain in your heart. Intercultural couples often use performers to incorporate the heritage of a bride or groom and help the other side of the family learn more about those traditions. For newlyweds who aren’t especially fond of dancing, a performer or two is a way to fill up time that would normally be spent on the dance floor, while still making sure the attendees will not be bored.

Popular choices for additional entertainment are dancers, specialty musicians, and acrobatic artists. Though not technically a performer, fireworks are also a great crowd pleaser. Below are some of our favorite examples, all from real weddings. Click each photo to see more from the celebrations, and discover more ideas for entertainment by browsing through our wedding entertainment gallery

tap dancers entertainment at wedding reception
Photo by Photography by Edmondson Weddings; Consulting by DFW Events; Floral & Event Design by Jackson Durham Events

violinist quartet performs at wedding reception

Photo by KingenSmith
; Consulting by Hope Weis Consulting

fireworks show entertainment at wedding reception

Photo by Fusion Studio

flapper dancers entertainment at wedding reception

Photo by Handeland Tesoro Photography; Consulting by Alex Events

performer on stilts entertainment at wedding reception

Photo by Justin Marantz

aerial dancer performs for wedding reception entertainment

Photo by Turn Loose the Art

View 24 unique entertainment ideas that have nothing to do with a band or DJ, learn why you should have a live event artist at your wedding and discover the 25 most popular reception songs of 2016.