We are in serious awe of how couples have gotten creative with their wedding entertainment in the past few years! Couples are thinking beyond the band, and adding to their live wedding entertainment line-up with less conventional acts like magicians, drag performers, mixologists, fire breathers, Celtic drummers and more. If you're looking to really impress your guests, and have them talking about your wedding for days, months and maybe even years to come, then this is the feature for you! These are our favourite, unique wedding entertainment ideas that will truly add the wow factor to your celebration and impress your guests, whatever their tastes may be.
1. Magician
Hiring a magician for your wedding can truly make your day unique (dare we even say magical?)! It’s a great opportunity to entertain your guests during the cocktail hour, break the ice at the reception tables, plus get some truly great photographic memories! It's also a fantastic versatile form of live wedding entertainment as it doesn’t require much setting up or large amounts of space to work. In Ireland, check out Shane Black, JD Magicians and Andy James, and in the UK, check out Chris Cook and Entertainment Nation.
2. Mixologist
You might not necessarily think of a mixologist as a performer, but just wait until you see them at work! They can create completely original concoctions, even using visually stunning techniques involving fire and smoke, and incorporate your personal story into their custom creations while answering any questions your guests may have about different flavour pairings. And, of course, the results are delicious! In Ireland, check out Raise The Bar, Hire A Mixologist and All Bar None and in the UK, check out The Mixology Brothers and Mix and Twist.
3. Caricaturist
This one is guaranteed to get some giggles from your guests! Having a live caricature artist can transform your cocktail reception from a quiet affair to a lively party in an instant. A wedding caricaturist also adds a unique, interactive aspect to your reception, they're fun to watch and your guests will leave with a fun keepsake of your celebration. For Irish-based caricature artists, check out Caricatures.ie, Anita Caricatures and Inkwell Cartoon in NI. Or, if you're in the UK, Wittypics and The Wedding Artist.
4. Drag Performers
To get a wedding party going like no other, look no further than a drag performance! A Drag Queen will put on a dazzling live show full of glamour, cheeky banter and beloved songs that will entrance any guest at your wedding! For Drag Queen performers in Ireland and the UK check out our Where to Hire Drag Queens for Weddings feature here.
5. An Interactive Photobooth
Photo booths are always a big hit with guests and there are some fantastic contemporary photobooth hire options now, incorporating interactive selfie mirrors and 360 technology, and even some housed in vintage vans and airstreams. For unique photobooths in Ireland, visit Shootbooth.ie, The Rhythm & Booth Co., Insta Glam Photobooth and The Picture Bus in NI. In the UK, check out The Burbage Booth Company, Airstream Studio and Event Rhino. Don't forget to add tons of fun props and encourage your guests to use your wedding hashtag!
6. Live Drawing, Painting & Illustrations
A live artist is another way to capture the magic, which you can forever treasure when the finished piece has been hung on your wall. Having a live artist will completely wow your guests while entertaining them, and leave you with a timeless keepsake. If you're in Ireland, check out Linda Byrne Illustration for live fashion sketches and illustration, for Marcela Buckley Art live wedding-day paintings, or The Floral Artist for live bridal bouquet portraits, and, if you're in the UK, try Lissie Art and Ben Hughes Art for live event painting. Oh, and if there's an artist you love that hasn't worked a wedding before, it's worth approaching them for a quote - they may be happy to oblige!
7. Incognito Opera Singers
Incognito singers bring a surprise element to any reception while creating a fun, live interactive experience for your guests, with professional singers who blend into your reception. We've spotted singing wedding guests, hotel staff, waiters, chefs and even a policeman in disguise who burst into song! It's an unexpected, one-of-a-kind act that your guests won't soon forget! In Ireland check out Singers For Hire, Singers Secreto and Eugene Ginty at Segrave Barns. In the UK, check out Incognito Artists and The Best Singing Waiters.
8. Celtic Drumming Group
Looking for something epic to kick things off on the dance floor before your band starts, something to keep your guests entertained during the band's break, or a wow-factor act to end the night? A Celtic drumming group's lively music and energetic performance will elevate the ambience of any reception, and guests from abroad will be particularly enthralled! In Ireland, check out The Hit Machine, The Rhythm and Beats Drummers and Extreme Rhythm. In the UK, check out Clanadonia and Clann an Drumma.
9. Acrobats, Fire Dancers & Burlesque Performers
Fire-breathers, stilt walkers, fire dancers, burlesque performers and circus or carnival acts are all wonderful live wedding entertainment spectacles to behold. You could schedule trapeze artists to perform overhead during the drinks reception to take your wedding entertainment to new heights, while burlesque performers, fire dancers or fire-breathers are the perfect way to liven the mood after dinner or at the end the night. Your guests wont forget these acts in a hurry! In Ireland check out Tribe Fitness, The Irish Burlesque Academy and FirePoise, and in the UK, Circus Uncertainty and Julia Charles Event Management.
10. A Cèilidh
We've featured many a wedding over the years that featured a Cèilidh and they look to be a such hoot! A Cèilidh is a traditional Scottish (Cèilidh) or Irish (CéilÃ) dance party that's very lively and full of fun. It doesn’t matter what age, ability or personality type a person is – everyone loves to get involved and no experience is necessary. A Cèilidh is a great idea for an ice-breaker, especially if you're bringing together guests from different places, plus it gets guests up on their feet and keeps all the action of your evening on the dance floor.
Hiring a traditional a Cèilidh band is essential as they will have an experienced ceilidh dance caller who can explain the dances and keep everyone on track once the music has started. In Ireland, check out Haste To The Wedding, Arundó and McStocker Ceilidh Band. In the UK, check out Licence To Ceilidh, The Brogues and Jiggered.
11. An Alternative Wedding Band
Looking for a musical element that differs from your traditional band or DJ? If you're in Ireland, why not opt for something like a DJ and Sax duo such as Sax and the City or DJandSax.ie, and Tommy Sax or, add a vintage touch with the retro sounds from The Rolling Tones Van or The Gramophone Social? For something truly different we guarantee your guests won't have seen before, check out Sing Along Social, who describe themselves as a 'singing party for people who can't sing!' For alternative wedding music acts in the UK, check out Club Class UK .
12. Fireworks
Oh, we do love when couples go out in style with a fully-fledged firework finish! It's the perfect way to bring your wedding to a triumphant finale. While they aren't the cheapest live wedding entertainment option, they are so worth it if you're considering them for your day. There's nothing more magical and magnificent than celebrating being newlyweds with a full-blown professional pyrotechnic display. Your guests will love it too! Make sure to double-check that your venue allows for fireworks beforehand, and cross your fingers and toes for clear skies! In Ireland, check out Rocket Pyro and Pyrotechnics.ie. For wedding fireworks in the UK check out, The UK Firework Company and Dynamic Fireworks.
Looking for more fantastic wedding suppliers? We've got them all, from ceremony singers and bands to stationers and stylists, in The Wedding Book.
