Rethinking Reception Entertainment

Who says your only wedding reception entertainment has to be a DJ/Band and perhaps a photobooth thrown in?! That's right, no one! When thinking of ways to entertain your wedding guests, try thinking out of the box for a change. Do you and your fiance live for nights by the fire? Do you love spending countless summer afternoons playing lawn games? Don't worry if you haven't seen it in a wedding magazine or on a wedding blog, just do what feels right to YOU. Here are a few fun ways you can entertain your guests...outdoors, of course! :) 

Firepit/Camp fire.

Lawn Games - Bean Bag Toss (Cornhole) & Croquet.

Lawn Games - Horseshoes. 

Photo credit # 1 :: Marianne Wilson Photography. 

Photo credit # 2 :: Green Wedding Shoes.  
Photo credit # 3 :: Prepare to Wdd.

Suspended Wedding Decor

One of my favorite trends in the wedding industry right now is suspended decor. I absolutely cannot get enough of it! You can hang virtually anything to match the look and feel of your wedding style. My favorite look right now is hanging decor from trees (more on that later), which works great for outdoor events. Whatever route you decide to go, proper planning is key. Be sure to discuss your wishes for hanging decor well in advance with your venue(s), and decide when these items will be hung. I recommend a test run prior to the wedding day, in order to iron out any kinks that may occur. Remember, hanging decor is not the easiest task in the world, but if you plan ahead of time, you can save yourself a great deal of time and stress in the long run.

Below are a few ideas that I hope inspire you...happy planning! 

Flower bottles.

Hanging frames. 

Chandeliers from trees. Swoon!

Vintage bird cages.

Mason jars. Oh, how I love thee!

Ribbon streamers.

Paper lanterns. 

Photo credit # 1 :: Eat Drink Chic

Photo credit # 2 :: Ruffled Blog   

Photo credit # 3 :: Everything is Better in Heels  
Photo credit # 4 :: Ruffled Blog 
Photo credit # 5 :: Green Wedding Shoes 
Photo credit # 6 :: Chiq Weddings
Photo credit # 7 ::  Wedding Bee

Alternative Outdoor Seating :: Hay Bales

Hay bales are the perfect alternative seating arrangement for a rustic outdoor ceremony. You don't have to be getting married on a farm to pull it off either. Hay bales work great for backyard weddings, barn weddings, and even lakeside weddings...really any outdoor space will do.

Where to find? Finding hay bales is likely a lot easier than you would think. Check with local farms or horse stables as a 1st option. Often times, farms and stables will let you borrow the hay for a small nominal fee (sometimes free!), with the promise that you will return the hay bales post-wedding. If you don't live in an area with many farms or horse stables, you may want to check with a local landscaping company. Landscaping companies use hay when they spread grass seed, so it is very likely that they will have hay on hand. 

Accessorizing? Yes, accessorizing. You will need to find some way to cover the hay bales, because you certainly do not want your guests sitting on bare hay for a 30 minute ceremony. Umm...can you say "uncomfortable"?! Yeah...you get the idea. Accessorizing is fun! You can cover your hay bales with virtually anything...blankets, quilts, pillows, cushions...you name it! 

Allergies? It's important to keep in mind that some of your guests may be allergic to hay; therefore, having a few extra chairs on hand is recommended. Don't forget about your elderly guests who may also need a chair to sit on as well. 

Reuse? Hay bale seating isn't just for ceremonies. Don't forget about reception and/or lounge seating later on in the evening!

Photo credit :: Tec Petaja via C is for Charmed.