Let’s face it, most couples want some good wedding photos.
You spend so much time choosing the dress, flowers, table settings and venue that it would be a shame not to capture the fun parts of the day as well. But great wedding pictures don’t always come from perfectly arranged poses.
Sometimes, it’s the photo of someone laughing, looking completely shocked or doing something unexpected that ends up being a favourite.
That’s one reason wedding entertainment is worth thinking about.
Start with the parts between the big moments
A wedding schedule can look pretty full on paper.
There’s the solemnisation, photos, cocktail reception, dinner, speeches, cake cutting and all the other things couples have planned. But there are also plenty of little gaps.
Guests arrive early. The couple disappears for photos. Dinner takes a while to get started.
These are good times to have something happening.
A magician can be a fun choice because the performance doesn’t need to take over the whole event. A close-up performer can move between groups, do a few tricks and move on.
It feels more relaxed than having everyone sit down for another formal segment.
And when someone suddenly realises they’ve been holding the wrong card the whole time, there’s usually a phone out within seconds.
Let your photographer catch the reactions
This is something I’d mention to the photographer beforehand.
If you have a magician performing during the reception, let your photographer know. They can keep an eye out for the reactions rather than just taking the usual table photos.
The best shot might not even be the trick itself. It could be your friend’s face when they realise what just happened.
Those kinds of pictures tend to feel more natural, which is probably what you want when you’re posting them later.
A little wellness can fit too
If you or your partner have a connection to massage, fitness or wellness, you could bring that into the reception in a small way.
For example, you could set up a simple wellness corner with a short hand massage demonstration or a few easy stretching tips. This could be especially suitable if some of your guests are students, instructors or friends from a massage therapy school.
Obviously, keep it casual.
Nobody wants to attend a wedding and accidentally sign up for a two-hour practical class.
The idea is simply to give guests something different to explore.
Consider a bigger performance
For a large hotel wedding or banquet, you may prefer a proper show.
A magician can perform for the whole room after dinner, which gives everyone a chance to sit back and enjoy the same thing.
It can also break up a long evening of speeches.
If you’ve been to enough weddings, you’ll know that guests can start checking their phones when the programme gets too long. A well-timed performance can bring their attention back without making the evening feel too serious.
That can make wedding entertainment more useful than people expect.
Ryan Goh Magic is one name to check
If you’re thinking about magic, Ryan Goh Magic is one Singapore performer you could have a look at.
The nice thing is that you can consider different types of performances depending on your plans, from close-up magic during the reception to a larger stage performance.
Still, I’d compare a few options before booking anyone.
Have a look at performance videos. Read the reviews. Think about the kind of crowd you’re having and whether the performer’s personality fits.
A performer who works well at a corporate dinner may have a completely different style from someone you’d want at a small wedding with close friends and family.
Don’t make everything about Instagram
This might sound strange in an article about Instagram-worthy weddings, but don’t plan every part of the day around getting a perfect photo.
Give your guests time to talk. Let people enjoy dinner. Leave a bit of room for things to happen naturally.
Good wedding entertainment should add to the day, not turn it into one long production.
A funny reaction during a magic trick, your friends joining in with a game, or a few guests trying a wellness activity can create much better memories than another carefully arranged pose.
So, when you’re planning the reception, think about what will actually make your guests enjoy themselves.
A magician is one option. A live musician, photo booth or simple wellness activity could work too.
The best choice is the one that feels right for your crowd.
And if your photographer happens to capture the exact moment someone realises a completely ordinary card has somehow ended up in the wrong place, you’ve got a wedding photo that people will probably keep talking about.
