50 Ingenious Ideas for Your Wedding Reception
It’s all about the details as you plan your wedding celebration. Whether your style is conventional or offbeat, formal or rustic casual, a bit of creativity and whimsy makes the festivities your own. Even the most traditional bride can add a surprising twist or two, whether inspired décor or unexpected entertainment, fun favors, or innovative cuisine. You may find that one — or more! — of these 50 ingenious ideas is just the inspiration you need for a reception that leaves your guests saying, “I wish I’d thought of that!”
By: Mary Wozniak
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Unique Entertainment -158215
Get the party started! Hire a flash mob for a once-in-a lifetime event.
Photo Credit: Cliff Brunk via Jubilee Lau Events
Unique Entertainment
Fun and games keep the celebration lighthearted. Keep the crowd entertained with a game of wedding speech bingo.
Photo courtesy of Chubby Sparrow/Etsy
Unique Entertainment
You’ll be sure to get everyone out on the dance floor when you play their favorite tunes. Include these printable song request cards with your RSVP cards.
Photo courtesy of Charming Endeavours/Etsy
Unique Entertainment
Surprise your wedding guests with an unforgettable performance by your singing waiters. They’ll be talking about it for years to come!
Photo Credit: Alan Mooney via Singers for Hire
Creative Favors
Welcome your friends and family to town with a clever gift box that salutes your home state. Customized designs in a variety of colors and sizes are available.
Photo courtesy of Ever After NY/Etsy
Creative Favors
An ideal keepsake for your nautical theme or beach wedding: Personalized crab mallets accompanied by Old Bay crab seasoning.
Photo courtesy of Apropos Roasters/Etsy
Creative Favors
Spice things up with a wedding favor that will definitely be put to good use. Gourmet spices are customized with your smiling faces.
Photo courtesy of Spicy Wedding/Etsy
Creative Favors
Because they’ll want to sleep in tomorrow… welcome your guests with a fun gift bag that includes a witty door hanger.
Photo Credit: Side-A Photography via Bottle Pop Party Company
Creative Favors
Create your own custom bride and groom cookies for a one-of-a kind wedding favor.
Photo courtesy of Parker's Crazy Cookies
Imaginative Table Settings
Set your table with a sweet souvenir of your wedding dinner — your menu custom crafted in milk or dark chocolate.
Photo courtesy of Delysia Chocolates
Imaginative Table Settings
Keep your littlest guests entertained with kid-friendly extras, like curly straws and play foam. This delightful children’s table features blooming flower lollipops and a fun-filled globe ornament with silly bands and glow-in-the-dark balloons. “Chargers” drawn on craft paper leave plenty of space for artwork.
Photo Credit: A Bryan Photo via Calder Clark
Imaginative Table Settings
Custom hand-painted maracas combine a unique place setting with a fun favor. Opt for an elegant gold and white hibiscus design, or change it up with bright fiesta colors. Shake ‘em for a kiss!
Photo courtesy of Vintage Baby Doll/Etsy
Imaginative Table Settings
Delight your wedding guests with playful party crackers, filled with a paper mustache or crown and vintage toys.
Photo Credit: Jesse Holland Photography via My Darling Wedding/Etsy
Clever Drinks
What happens at the reception stays at the reception? Well, not likely! Downloadable signage adds some humor to your open bar.
Photo courtesy of Sunny Notes/Etsy
Clever Drinks
You tied the knot, now take a shot! This replica vintage shot ski is a fun party activity, great for a winter wedding.
Photo courtesy of Shot Ski Shop/Etsy
Clever Drinks
Something borrowed, something brewed. Personalize your craft beer selections with printable labels.
Photo courtesy of Make the Best Crafts/Etsy
Clever Drinks
Be inspired by this DIY bar setup, a creative addition to your outdoor rustic wedding.
Photo Credit: Harper Noel Photography via Boho Weddings
Clever Drinks
Serve your favorite cocktails in an extraordinary sculptured ice luge. Professional ice sculptor Don Chapelle carves amazing drink luges, fountains, and even ice bars.
Photo courtesy of Brilliant Ice Sculpture
Inspired Fare
Add a touch of elegance to your wedding dinner with hand-carved sorbet dishes by the ice artists at Creative Ice.
Photo courtesy of Creative Ice
Clever Drinks
Wonderful for winter festivities, warm up your guests with a hot chocolate bar. Free printable labels provide a beautiful rustic presentation.
Photo courtesy of Mountain Modern Life
Unforgettable Décor
Colorful pinwheels add a touch of whimsy to your escort cards or table décor. Order custom made or opt for a DIY kit.
Photo courtesy of Rule 42/Etsy
Unforgettable Décor
This lace doily piñata can also be created in your custom colors. It’s a sweet decoration that can double as a guest book: your guests add their wedding wishes, to be opened and enjoyed on your first anniversary.
Photo courtesy of Nature Curios/Etsy
Unforgettable Décor
Transform your reception site with impressive textured lighting, available in patterns to match your theme.
Photo Credit: Jorge Lopez via J&M Entertainment
Unforgettable Décor
Lead your wedding guests to the festivities with a sparkling sequin floor sign. The sequined fabric shapes are cut to order and are available in a variety of shapes and colors. How about a glittery rose gold heart for your venue?
Photo courtesy of Sparkle Pony Shop/Etsy
Unforgettable Décor
Add a bit of romance to the fiesta with charming tissue paper banners. Your personalized flags complement the hand-cut lovebirds and other traditional designs.
Photo courtesy of Vintage Baby Doll/Etsy
Unforgettable Décor
The traditional Japanese gift of 1000 paper cranes bestows one thousand years of happiness upon the wedding couple. Order a few strands or a full thousand for a lovely reception backdrop.
Photo courtesy of Shining Crane Studio/Etsy
Unforgettable Décor
These gorgeous orchid-filled paper parasols are an inspired take on trendy hanging floral arrangements.
Photo courtesy of Rose Petals Vail
Inspired Fare
Whose favorite dishes will you choose for your reception buffet? No compromise necessary with this creative idea for a selection that features the bride and groom’s best-loved dishes.
Photo Credit: Amy Carroll Photography via Love and Lavender
Inspired Fare
Add a bit of rustic style to your table. This simple but elegant cheese wheel display is a unique take on a wedding cake.
Photo Credit: Sylvie Gil Photography
Inspired Fare
Why limit yourself to just one fabulous wedding cake? Setting out a variety of layer cakes has a homespun feel, and there will surely be something for everyone.
Photo courtesy of McCardell Photography
Inspired Fare
Treat your guests to a yummy buffet of flavored gourmet popcorn, with unique flavors such as sea salt caramel and piña colada.
Photo courtesy of ConvoArtsCrafts/Etsy
Inspired Fare
Bring out the fun-loving kid in your wedding guests with a visit from an ice cream truck. The grown-ups will enjoy the alcohol-infused frozen treats in awesome flavors like Whisky Bean and Mudslide.
Photo Credit: Erin Mullins via Tipsy Cones
Fun Extras
Chill in the air? Keep your outdoor reception guests warm and cozy by setting out throws or pashminas in your wedding colors.
Photo courtesy of Country Bliss Designs
Fun Extras
Don’t forget the small details that make your reception special. Your family and friends will appreciate a convenient charging station.
Photo Credit: Capture Photography
Fun Extras
Opting for a donut cake? Make it even more unique with an adorable customized donut bride and groom.
Photo courtesy of Sam's Sweet Art
Fun Extras
Watch the guys go for it when the groom lets fly with this clever twist on the traditional garter toss.
Photo courtesy of JB Conaway/Etsy
Memorable Sendoffs
Light up the night sky with Chinese sky lanterns. These are eco-friendly, as they are completely biodegradable.
Photo Credit: Beyond the Darkroom Photography
Memorable Sendoffs
Make a grand exit to the glow of LED balloons.
Photo Credit: Cami Takes Photos via Dipple Dot/Etsy
Memorable Sendoffs
What a fun idea for your travel theme or destination wedding: tiny wedding sendoff paper airplanes.
Photo courtesy of Love Takes Flight/Etsy
Preserve the Celebration
Each of these time capsule cards designates a future anniversary. Place a card at each reception table and revel in your guests’ good wishes for years to come.
Photo courtesy of Paper Notions/Etsy
Preserve the Celebration
Upgrade your photo booth with a fun slow motion video booth.
Photo courtesy of The Slow Motion Booth
Fun Extras
Cracker Jack boxes are a truly novel wedding treat. Fill these custom boxes with caramel corn or other snacks.
Photo courtesy of 6 Elms Designs/Etsy
Fun Extras
A rustic kissing bell is a charming addition to your country wedding reception.
Photo Credit: Charlotte Gamache Photography via Bella Bride Creations/Etsy
Preserve the Celebration
This unique guest book will make a beautiful keepsake for your future home. Your guests each add a thumbprint “leaf” and signature to your wedding tree.
Photo courtesy of Signature Moments
Memorable Sendoffs
Pretty ribbon wands, complete with bells, are a sweet sendoff alternative to confetti.
Photo courtesy of Stalking the Wild Snark/Etsy
Memorable Sendoffs
Exit to a shower of twinkling pompoms. The metallic poms can also be used to add sparkle to your table décor.
Photo courtesy of Extravagant Exits/Etsy
Memorable Sendoffs
The force is with you! For a very cool take on glow sticks, arm the crowd with glowing light sabers.
Photo courtesy of Janet Howard Studio
Preserve the Celebration
A lovely Dutch tradition has guests write their wishes for the happy couple to hang on the wishing tree.
Photo courtesy of Paper Pixies/Etsy
Preserve the Celebration
They’re not just for extreme sports anymore! Attach a GoPro videocam to your drink of choice for a unique perspective on your celebration.
Photo Credit: Everly Studios
Preserve the Celebration
Capture your celebration with an on-site artist. What an extraordinary memento of a beautiful day!
Photo Credit: The Schultzes via Wed on Canvas
