Program Ideas for the Wedding Afternoon

At many weddings, there are a few hours between the ceremony and dinner. This often leads newlyweds to worry that the afternoon of their wedding might be boring. A cry for entertainment options echoes across the vastness of the World Wide Web… and lands—you guessed it—right here with us! That’s great, because we have some surprising ideas for a schedule that’s anything but boring.

A classic during the agape reception

Anyone who steps out of the church, the registry office, or through the flower-adorned wedding arch after the ceremony will usually find themselves surrounded by well-wishers in no time. The hugs and handshakes then gradually give way to a relaxed reception, where finger food and (plenty of!) sparkling wine are served. The following basics are ideal for entertainment at the initial reception or during the cake and coffee portion:

• Serve finger food or bring in a food truck
• Cutting the Wedding Cake
• Set up a candy bar
• Organize a DJ set or jam session with a band
• Set up the photo booth

So much for the entertainment options that are sure to put smiles on everyone’s faces. And then there are the ideas that are sure to surprise your guests …

Wedding Entertainment with a "Wow" Factor

Not everyone can afford a large wedding venue with a garden, and that's perfectly fine. Of course, a wedding in a natural setting offers many possibilities, but there are also other ways to stand out from the crowd during the afternoon program.

The City Version

If you're having a small wedding and don't have enough space for wedding games, or if your venue is perfect for the evening reception but not for afternoon entertainment, then head out for a stroll through the city:

• Go play mini-golf together (in a wedding dress and a suit!)
• Ice Skating at the City Ice Rink
• Visiting a new exhibition at the museum together
• Organize a bar quiz
• Surprise your guests with a movie screening in a separately reserved theater, where the couple's favorite film will be shown

The Rural Version

A wedding in a green setting not only has the advantage of making your photos look beautifully natural, but it also allows for a much more extensive program of activities if there’s enough space for both children and adults to play. You’ll find plenty of lush greenery at farm weddings, log cabin weddings, and castle weddings, as well as at hotels or wine taverns. Here are the best ideas for a relaxing outdoor wedding afternoon:

• Let the kids run around on the playground
• Playing Boccia
• Set up a foosball table and a ping-pong table
• Designing Shisha Lounges
• Organize a scavenger hunt
• Experiment with different seating options: Set up lounge chairs, hang hammocks, and spread out picnic blankets on the grass
• Set up an obstacle course for the kids and join in yourself every now and then
• Have a yoga session led
• Have an ice cream truck come by
• Park a photo bus in front of the venue

Thoroughly planning the schedule for your wedding day is a crucial part of your wedding planning. Ask yourselves: Which of these suggestions can you incorporate into your still-unplanned wedding afternoon? Which ones will your guests enjoy, and which ones might be too much for them? Every wedding party is different, and that’s a good thing.

But all guests have one thing in common: Nobody wants to be bored! So, pick a few items from our list of entertainment options and spice up your program with one or two surprising highlights.