When planning your wedding, it’s important to think about the activities you’ll have at the reception. Whether you’re looking for fun, novelty items or something more sophisticated, there are plenty of ways to give your guests a memorable time.

One of the best ways to engage your guests is by including an interactive food station. Depending on the theme of your wedding, you may want to display food items that are associated with the culture of your wedding. This can include traditional foods, unique jewelry, fabrics and hand painted pots.

Food stations can be fun and engaging for both kids and adults. A candy table is a great way to have a lot of fun. If you’re hosting a winter wedding, a hot chocolate station or a tea brewing station are especially nice. Make sure to provide plenty of dip for everyone to enjoy.

Another fun activity is to have an ice cream truck. You could also set up a frozen popsicle station to keep your guests cool. These stations are often paired with a chocolate fountain to create a sweet treat.

Other fun ways to engage your guests is to set up a lawn game. Your guests can use these games to get to know each other. They can also serve as photo backdrops. There are even some lawn games that can be played indoors or outdoors.

A message in a bottle guestbook is a fun alternative to a traditional guest book. It can be filled with advice, fun memories, or pictures of your grandparents on your wedding day. It can be displayed in a decorative glass bottle.

A candy table is one of the most popular wedding reception ideas out there. In addition to serving yummy treats, you can also offer party favors. Guests can place their name on a custom coaster and take it home with them. Even if you don’t have a wedding reception, you can make this activity a part of your post-honeymoon celebration.

Another wedding reception idea is to create a chalkboard backdrop. The chalkboard can be a fun activity to get everyone involved. For example, a couple might set up a “bucket list” activity for their guests to sign. The bucket list can be items they would like to do before the wedding.

For more unique and personal touches, consider displaying photos of the bride and groom. You can even turn engagement pictures into blankets! Pictures can be placed at tables as well.

Another fun idea is to include a caricature artist to draw your guests. If you’re on a budget, you can get the same effect by hiring a friend with a good technical skill.

One final tip for an impressive wedding reception is to add some flair with floral arrangements. You can use real or fake flowers for a chic look. Or you can use floral arrangements around a picture.

Wedding reception ideas should be fun, but don’t overdo them. Using the proper lighting can help you create a mood. Lighting options range from candles to dramatic uplighting.