Gap before evening celebration.. how to fill it!?

malamay

We are working on the timings of our day, and it looks like there will be a gap of a couple of hours between our wedding breakfast finishing and our evening reception starting. We will have quite a few guests hanging around during this time, and I'd like to think of something to keep them from getting too bored!

The whole day is taking place at a local hotel in November, and we have a medium sized lobby to work with, maybe some of their bar area as well. I don't want to arrange a magician or anything like that. People will be full from eating, so introducing a candy table at this stage might be a bit much. The only thing I have in mind are some trivia/conversation cards on whatever tables are about, and allowing guests to relax with a drink and get to know each other.

Does anyone have any other suggestions? Maybe we could have a guestbook ready for signing at this time as well? It doesn't take up much of our guests' time though.We don't really have any money left in our budget, so the cheaper the better! :rotfl:

floss2

We will also have a gap, while the room is being reset from the wedding brekfast to the evening set-up. We've got a quiet room attached to the main room, and we're at a seaside hotel, so people may go out to stretch their legs or just sit out on the promenade or the hotel terraces.

Don't know about anyone else, but I will need a visit to the bathroom and my new in-laws will be having a snooze!

malamay

floss2 wrote: »

We will also have a gap, while the room is being reset from the wedding brekfast to the evening set-up. We've got a quiet room attached to the main room, and we're at a seaside hotel, so people may go out to stretch their legs or just sit out on the promenade or the hotel terraces.

Don't know about anyone else, but I will need a visit to the bathroom and my new in-laws will be having a snooze!

I expect we'll be retiring to our room to freshen up. And I'm imagining that a visit to the bathroom will take quite some time in a wedding dress!

My sister suggested a background photo slideshow, but we don't have the wall space.

katsmasterplan

Hi,

We are having a similar day to you (all day at our venue). We were thinking about having a characaturist who goes round the tables and does sketches.
We are also having a bouncy castle for the children outside. We are putting disposable cameras on the table, and our photographer is setting up a portrait booth in the corner so guests can have pictures taken at their will.
I think all in all though it is a time for mingling!

nozzy6

Ours is in a seaside hotel as well Floss2! Whereabouts is yours?

I'm kind of unsure about the whole entertainment thing - are people not happy to have a chat or a wander along the seafront/round the grounds for little while? I would be!

Having said that depending on the weather I'm tempted to take my guests for a round of crazy golf, think it'd make for some fun photos! If not I'm just going to take the opportunity to make sure I get to speak to everyone properly.

floss2

It's in the "Vegas of the North".......and we have just found out it is the same night as the Illuminations switch-on....:mad:

nozzy6

Ah, we're over on the Yorkshire coast. You'll get some good pics of the illuminations though won't you?

laura.1984

We are having a whiskey tasting, a childs entertainer and candy table full of uk and american candy. I was looking for a cigar roller but i cant seem to find one in the uk

Kynthia

My partner was keen on those casino tables you hire as a time filler. A roulette competition could include everyone and break the ice.
As budget is an issue you could have a DIY version with Monopoly money and maybe card games?
How about a salsa lesson if you have a friend that dances it?

malamay

katsmasterplan wrote: »

Hi,

We are having a similar day to you (all day at our venue). We were thinking about having a characaturist who goes round the tables and does sketches.
We are also having a bouncy castle for the children outside. We are putting disposable cameras on the table, and our photographer is setting up a portrait booth in the corner so guests can have pictures taken at their will.
I think all in all though it is a time for mingling!

A characaturist would be fun, and much preferred over a magician. How much do you expect to spend on one though?

We don't have that many children coming, so am not so worried about child-friendly entertainment. A bouncy castle does sound like fun though - you should get some pictures of you jumping around on it!

I know I'm worrying about this far too much, but am fixated on this drawing from my own experience at recent weddings.

Wow Nozzy6, a round of crazy golf sounds great! It'd certainly be something memorable for both you and your guests.

Laura.1984 - I love the idea of a candy table, but as we'll have all just finished a big meal, I'm not so sure. I guess it could be moved to the reception afterwards though. Our colours are blue and purple, and I've had a friend recommend macaroons in our colours. I think that'd look fab on a candy table. I haven't seen a cigar roller, but did find an interesting candy floss machine you can hire (it's on a bike), and have seen ice cream bicycles as well.

Kynthia - the casino table sounds good too, but not sure it's my or my fiance's thing.. A salsa lesson would be great if we had the space, and knew someone to lead it! Sounds like your wedding will be loads of fun!!

floss2

nozzy6 wrote: »

Ah, we're over on the Yorkshire coast. You'll get some good pics of the illuminations though won't you?

Hmmm...when it goes dark! They won't be switched on until approx 9.25 anyway. However, we are in one of the best hotels, so who knows who may gatecrash our party late?!