Weddings are a celebration of love and lifelong commitment. For this reason (and many more) your wedding day will always be special to you both. However, it’s the reception that everyone waits for and for good reasons. There’s going to be drinks, food, dance and lots of fun and entertainment.
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You certainly don’t want your reception to be a cookie-cutter, do you? From stunning stage decor to some wow-worthy entertainment ,read about some awsome wedding reception ideas that will make your wedding reception one helluva celebration.
Wedding Reception Stage Decor Ideas
The stage is one of the major highlights of your wedding reception decor. And why not- most of your pictures will be taken right here! Most couples want something that is fresh and tasteful and has not been done to death. Here are some cool ideas to borrow:
Fun With Flowers
There’s nothing like too many flowers, right? A grand backdrop of flowers like roses, lilacs or orchids will add a surreal and romantic touch to your stage. If being extra is not your thing, you can keep it simple with subtle floral accents over silk drapes.
All-White Extravagance
If OTT is not your style, pick an all-white theme for your wedding reception decor. White flowers and white drapes will make a gorgeous combination for a picture-perfect setting.
Night Sky Inspired
Also Read: Wedding Stage Decoration
Bring the charm and beauty of the night sky to your reception with a stage that replicates a starry sky. It looks gorgeous and it’s going to bring out all those rich colours in your outfit. And it’s a very unique setting.
All That Glitters
A burst of glitter will add a touch of glam to your wedding reception decor. Think gold, silver and shiny glitter strings in the background!
Minimal And Tasteful
This is perfect for the couple who loves minimalism. The sheer beauty of this stage lies in its tasteful, classic and simple setting.
Wedding Reception Outfit Ideas For Brides
What you wear to your reception is as important as what you wear on your wedding day. You must be bored of wearing the conventional sarees and lehengas by now so why not give your traditional wear a fun twist? We’ve got some gorgeous reception outfits that will leave you feeling more than a little inspired. Check em’ out!
Lehenga Gowns
Lehenga gowns are just so in right now. They are a stylish melange of a gown and a lehenga. The lehenga, blouse and dupatta are all sewn together to give the reception outfit the look of a gown.
Floor Length Maxis
Want something that is not too traditional and not too contemporary? Try an embellished maxi dress or a ball gown. Choose a flattering neckline and pair the reception outfit with some trendy jewellery.
Dhoti Sarees
A fusion of a dhoti and a saree, this outfit is for the bride who loves some amount of drama in everything, even her clothes. The lower half looks like a dhoti and the upper half like a saree, making the dhoti saree one of the trendiest reception outfits for the bride.
Ruffled Gowns
Ruffles are flirty, feminine and they add a delicate charm to absolutely any outfit. Add some ruffles to any gown and it’s going to look splendid! To look like the princess that you are, pick a ruffled gown as the OOTD for your wedding reception.
Anarkali With Jackets
Every woman loves an elegant Anarkali. It’s a safe choice, but instead of being plain Jane, why not add a long and embellished jacket to it? Toss in a pair of pearl earrings and your chooda and you’re all set.
Skirt With Kurti
A heavy silk skirt paired with a silk kurta is perfect for the bride who wants to wear something offbeat on her reception. We recommend choosing the kurta and the lehenga in contrasting hues to make the reception outfit stand out.
Lehenga With Jackets
For a contemporary touch to your very own traditional lehenga, pair it with a long jacket. The outfit is high on style and is the perfect pick for your reception night.
Shararas
Another outfit that we are totally in love with is a sharara suit. Fun, cool and quirky, shararas are a great alternative to lehengas to take your reception outfit game a level up.
Wedding Reception Entertainment Ideas
Besides, the great food and decor, what will make or break your reception night is the entertainment. No, we aren’t talking about just the DJ, we are talking about full-fledged entertainment activities that will keep the guests hooked:
Photo Booth
Everyone attending a wedding is always dressed up, right? And who doesn’t love to pose when they are dressed in their best outfits? Give your guests some cool memories to cherish even after the wedding is over. Capture the memorable moments of your big day with a fun photo booth! Get some cool props into the booth like oversized sunglasses, cute signboards, and hats and you will love how creative your guests can get in front of the camera.
The photo booth can be a great ice-breaker too. Guests who don’t know each other or haven’t seen each other for a long time will get a platform to start a conversation and bond.
Also Read: Easy To Do Wedding Decor Ideas
Get Your Guests Inked
Hiring a tattoo artist is perhaps the hottest trend at wedding reception ideas right now. Curate a menu with tattoo options for your guests to choose from. Think minimalistic and add couple tattoo options too! The more elaborate designs can be reserved for the stars of the day- the bride and the groom.
Fire Dancing
Imagine a professional fire dancer twirling and spinning flaming torches with great speed, while a mesmerised audience only managing to give out some oohs and aahs! With music playing on drums and professional dancers breaking a leg to its rhythm, the performance will add more life to the party.
Karaoke
What’s a wedding reception without some naach gaana? While it’s pretty common to invite a professional band for some entertaining live music sessions, take the music scene at your wedding reception entertainment ideas to the next level by setting up a karaoke booth and inviting guests to perform on the songs of their choice.
Caricature
Give your guests something fun to watch and something really adorable to take home by inviting a caricature artist to your reception. You can turn these into cute wedding souvenirs by getting your and your partner’s name and wedding date printed on each copy! Isn’t this a great idea to keep the guests entertained when they are tired of dancing?
Belly Dancing
After the group of professional dancers have shaken their bellies to an authentic Arabian number, make them woo the unsuspecting guests to join them on the dance floor. Start with the bride and gradually make others shed their inhibitions and join in.
Live Painting
There are plenty of ways to capture the memories of your big day but nothing as classic and timeless as a painting. Invite a painter who can bring your wedding scene (and the faces of your wedding guests) to the canvas. This is a great idea for couples who want to add an artistic touch to their big day in the time of digital photographs. With art and colours around expect some fascinating conversation to flow between your guests! Well, and doesn’t this make for another adorable keepsake?
Mixologist
What’s a wedding without some liquor? Take your guests by a surprise by giving them something new and unexpected to taste at your reception. Don’t get me wrong- beer and whiskey are great but nothing can beat a signature custom made drink made by a professional mixologist. To add more fun, name the drinks uniquely- after the couple, and with memories and jokes that the guests can relate to.
Acrobats
Give a kickass start to the evening with an exciting trapeze performance by professional artists. The thrill seekers are going to love it! Aerial acrobats, and laser and light shows will keep the guests on the edge of their seats throughout the evening and give them a story to take back home.
Quirky Tips For Wedding Receptions
The drinks, food and entertainment aside, your guests will appreciate the small little things you will do to say thanks to them for coming. Make your guests feel special by putting in some efforts to acknowledge their presence with these quirky tips:
A Surprise Dance Performance
Think beyond the cliche and take your guests by surprise by performing a surprise dance for them on your reception night (how about a tango or hip-hop?) This is such a perfect start to a night full of dance! But remember that surprise dances look impressive only when they are executed well. So plan in advance with your better half, keep it simple so that the guests can easily imitate your steps and join in and remember that timing is everything!
Thoughtful Favours
Think beyond the mithai ka dabba that are already done-to-death. End your big day on a special note by handing out wedding favors that your guests will love and actually use. From exotic fragrances for the perfume connoisseur to gourmet popcorn for the gastronomic, think personal and surprise your guests with something that matches their taste and style.
Cocktails Served In A Style
Time to get creative with your cocktails. Think of a cool theme for a bar, say a bookshelf or a cart that can be wheeled in throughout the venue. Garnish your guests’ glasses with some seasonal fruits or herbs rather than the boring lime and give them a few more reasons to enjoy a drink.
Hangover Kits
After all the drinks on the rocks, your guests will appreciate anything that comes in a kit with “hangover” written on it. Eye masks, aspirin, lip balm, and wet tissue, will come to the rescue of anyone nursing a hangover!
Welcome Bags
Get welcome bags for your guests that have more than just a few snacks and a bottle of water. Make the welcome bag special by adding a personalised welcome note, a drink of their choice and a gift voucher.
Entertainment is a vital part of any wedding reception. So think a little hatke and get your guests off their feet with these fun and exciting wedding reception ideas for the grand night.
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