The evening reception is a funny bit of the day. Half the room has been celebrating since lunchtime. The other half has just arrived, dressed up and ready to go. Getting both groups into the same mood is the real job, and it's where a bit of planning pays off.
Here are our wedding evening reception ideas, roughly in the order the evening happens.
Welcome the evening guests properly
Evening guests can feel like second-class citizens if they arrive to a closed room and a queue at the bar. Have someone meet them, even if it's just an usher saying hello and pointing them to the drinks. A welcome drink on arrival goes a long way.
If the room is being turned around after the meal, give the evening guests somewhere to go. A bar area, a terrace, a lounge. And put the photo booth or magic mirror there early, so they've got something to do straight away.
Beat the slump
Between the end of the speeches and the first dance, energy often dips. Day guests are full and tired. This is the moment for something that brings everyone together in one room.
A short show works brilliantly. Jay & Joss, the illusionist double act from Britain's Got Talent, are ours, and their evening show is built for exactly this slot. Everyone gathers, everyone laughs at the same thing, and both sets of guests stop being two separate groups. Then go straight into cutting the cake and the first dance while the room is buzzing.
The first dance
Keep it short if you're nervous. Most couples ask the band or DJ to invite everyone onto the floor halfway through, which takes the pressure off. A choreographed routine is great fun if you're up for it, but don't feel you have to.
Tell the photographer when it's happening so they don't miss it, and check the lighting. Some venues dim the room so far that the photos come out murky.
Band, DJ or both
A live band gives the evening a proper party feel. A DJ can play anything and keep going late. Lots of couples have both, with the DJ covering the band's breaks and the end of the night.
Whichever you choose, check the venue's rules about noise, sound limiters and finishing times before you book. And give them a short must-play list, a do-not-play list, and trust them with the rest.
Something for the non-dancers
There's always a crowd that won't dance. Give them a reason to stay in the room.
A fun casino is one of the best. Roulette, blackjack and poker with real croupiers but fun money, so it's all the excitement without anyone losing. UK Casino Hire is our casino brand, and we see these tables surrounded all night at weddings. A photo booth or magic mirror from UK Photo Booth Hire is another favourite. Guests get a print to take home, and you get hundreds of daft photos.
An audio guest book is a quieter option. Guests pick up the phone and leave you a message, and after a few drinks those messages get very heartfelt (and very funny).
Evening food
People get hungry again around 9pm, especially if they've been dancing. Keep it simple and easy to eat standing up. Bacon or sausage rolls, pizza, a hog roast, fish and chips in cones, a cheese table. Make sure there's a vegetarian option and that it comes out while the evening guests are still there, not at 11.30pm.
Little extras
A sparkler send-off at the end (check with the venue first). A late-night sweet table. Flip-flops in a basket for sore feet. A chill-out area with sofas for guests who want to talk. None of these are essential, but they're the kind of thing guests mention afterwards.
For how this all fits into the rest of the day, see our sample wedding timeline and wedding entertainment ideas.