I'm not exactly sure what to call this one but it was memorable, fun and very entertaining. The premise was in
the idea that all of the groomsmen would place a numbered paper bag over their heads and have a dance
contest. The guests or audience in this case would rate the dancing ability of each individual by cheering for
the dancer with the specific number when called out. One by one the dancers will be eliminated from the
contest. The last dancer on the floor will be declared the winner.
The hilariously funny part of this is that immediately after the start of the contest all the groomsmen took
their paper bags off and left the dance floor. The best man was unaware of this and unwittingly danced
through the entire contest by himself. Obviously there were a number of people involved in the joke but it sure
was funny and the guests just loved it.
Marriage Advice - Participation
Provide index cards and pens at each guest table. Instruct the guests to come up with the best marriage advice
they can give to the newlyweds. Then throughout the evening have the DJ / MC occasionally read one of the
suggestions to everyone. You can even give awards for funniest and best advice.
"My advice to you is get married: if you find a good wife you'll be happy; if not, you'll become a philosopher." ~
Socrates.
"A married man should forget his mistakes; no use two people remembering the same thing." ~ Duane Dewel.
"In my house I'm the boss, my wife is just the decision maker." ~ Woody Allen.
The Snowball Dance is a great way to get wedding guests moving to the dance floor. An up-tempo song is
played as the the wedding party is called to the dance floor. The bridal party begins dancing. When the music
stops, the members of the bridal party go to the seated guests and bring back another dance partner. The fun
continues until every able body is on the dance floor!
You can also start the Snowball Dance by calling one couple from each table to the dance floor to join the
bridal party.
We invite all of the married couples to the dance floor while playing a series of slow romantic songs. After a
minute or two we politely ask all couples married 5 years or less to take their seats. After another minute or so
we ask couples married 10 years or less to take their seats. This repeats until their is only one couple left on
the dance floor. This one couple is the longest married couple at your reception. They are congratulated,
applauded, made to feel special, and perhaps presented with a gift from the newlyweds. They are then handed
the microphone and asked to give the bride and groom some advice which is usually good for a laugh.
Not so much a game but more of a cute icebreaker.
Have all of the guests stand up. Explain that this is a new tradition that has just started in recent weddings. It
signifies a special time and everyone needs to witness this rare moment. Invite pictures to be taken. Ask the
Bride to hold out her hand with the palm down. Now have the groom very gently place his hand on top of hers.
Announce that this is the last time that the Groom will have the upper hand in this relationship!!!
Before a friend's wedding reception, we passed out keys (blanks) to several girls and one guy. Before some
toasts were made, the best man said to the guests, "Now that Jim is married and is no longer available, it is
probably a good idea to have any of you girls out there with a key to his apartment to please turn it in now."
Then the pre-selected girls (about thirty of them) slowly walked up and handed in their keys as they made
bedroom-eyes at him and flirted a bit; some of the girls would turn in not just one key, but six or seven of
them. Then the guy walked up, turned in the key, and kissed the groom on the cheek. It's probably not
original, but it worked pretty well.
Another twist to this would be to distribute fifteen blank keys to male friends of the bride-to-be and two more
blank keys to a guy and a very old lady. Then, during the reception, while people are making toasts, announce
to everyone that since the bride is no longer available, any guy with a key to her apartment should turn it in at
the tray that has been set up, whereby the fifteen pre-selected men would walk up and turn in their keys and
make the same announcement for the groom, whereby both the old lady and the other guy would both walk
up with their key.
Shoe Game / Newlywed Game
For those unfamiliar with this game, the bride and groom sit back to back on chairs. Each holds one of the
bride's shoes in one hand and one of the groom's shoes in the other hand. The MC reads various questions,
like "who eats more?" and "who is the boss in the relationship?". Then the couple holds up the appropriate
shoe indicating his or her answer. When the two disagree, hilarity ensues.
Another variation of this game uses a beer bottle to represent the groom and a champagne glass to represent
the bride. You won't have to take your shoes off and you'll have something handy to drink as well. Black and
white napkins are also a good alternative.
Who made the first move?
Who was the cutest baby?
Who’s the better cook?
Who is a better dancer?
Who is a bigger tipper at restaurants?
Who is the biggest complainer?
Who will most likely load the dishwasher?
Who is the biggest channel surfer?
Who is in control of the remote control?
Who wears the pants in the family?
Who always has the last word in an argument?
Who talks more about their day at work?
Who is late for ‘everything’?
Who spends the most time in the bathroom?
Who is more likely to use the last sheet and not refill the toilet paper?
Who makes a bigger mess around the house?
Who is a better driver?
Who spends more time on the internet?
Who is more romantic?
Who said “I Love You” first?
Who will tell the other “I Love You” the most each day?
Who is the biggest channel surfer?
Who is a better driver?
Who is most likely the one to apologize after a disagreement?
Who is the better kisser?
Who will be in charge of taking out the trash?
Who's a better driver?
If you haven't already, who will be most likely to pass gas in front of the other first?
Who complains more about their job?
Who is more romantic?
Who's idea was the first date?
Who initiated the 1st kiss?
Hot Potato Game
Just like the hot potato game but with a softer object like a stuffed animal. Put to music, the participants toss
the stuffed animal to each other. When the music stops the person caught holding the object is eliminated.
Similar to the hot potato game, the table centerpieces can be given away using a variation of this game. At
each table, have your guests pass around an object like a dollar bill, when the music stops something
happens. Maybe they are eliminated, or possibly the person to their left. Maybe they get to keep the dollar or
instead choose a person to be eliminated. Put to music this can be a fun activity for all of your guests.
Child's First Name Game
It should be noted that this game needs to be approved by the bride and groom prior to actually performing it
since it could cause them to be uncomfortable or embarrassed otherwise. Who knows, they may not be
planning on having children.
This is a fun event for the reception and helps to fill idle time during dinner. Cards are available on all the
tables with instructions to help the bride and groom select their child's first name. Then near the end of dinner
have your DJ/MC read some of the suggestions. They can be pretty humorous at times.
For example:
Armand Hammer, famous industrialist.
Boo Moore, minor league baseball player in the Boston Red Sox organization in 1980s/90s
Jaime Lachica Sin a Philippine clergyman, was known as Cardinal Sin because of his status within the Catholic
church. Sin was said to play a joke on his title, welcoming visitors to his archbishop's residence with the
greeting "Welcome to the House of Sin". (He is not to be confused with the term "cardinal sin").
Heavenly Hiraani Tiger Lily Hutchence, daughter of Michael Hutchence and Paula Yates. Known affectionately
as Tiger Hutchence to family and friends.
Ima Hogg. Daughter of Governor of Texas James Stephen Hogg. Urban legend contends that she had a sister
named Ura Hogg, but this is false.
Loser Lane - a New York Police Department sergeant.
Moxie CrimeFighter Jillette. Daughter of magician Penn Jillette.
Zowie Bowie is the son of David Bowie.
Scavenger Hunt Game
An individual or team activity the scavenger hunt is good for some fun. The goal is to have the contestants
work either as teams or as individuals and find as many items as possible in the alloted time. The list of items
should be arranged beforehand and can include anything like certain color socks to the more challenging
items. The harder the request the more interesting the game will be. The winner or winners collect the most of
the listed items. Some examples of items requested could be:
Rubber Band
Bobby Pin
Toothpick
Bookmark
Grocery List
Expired Coupon
Piece of Gum
Brown Mascara
Marriage License
Passport
Cough Drop
Handkerchief (not Kleenex)
Crochet Hook
Birthday Card
Bus or Bridge Token
Foreign Nickel
Appointment Card
Roll of Scotch Tape
Scissors
Eyelash Curler
Ticket (to any event)
Canadian One Dollar Bill
Pantyhose
CD or Cassette Tape
Band-Aid
Rattle
Crackers
Paper Clip
Needle and Thread
Barrette
Novel
Screw Driver
Calculator
Balloon Rally Game
Have couples line up with a balloon between their backs. They race from the starting point to a finish line
while keeping the balloon between their backs. The first couple to complete the course wins.
A variation of this would be keeping the balloon between their knees and passing the balloon from person to
person down the line.
Coke and Pepsi Game
This is an elimination game that is fun for the younger crowd. You start by having couples line up on the
dance floor across from each other. The men on one side and the woman on the other for example. When the
DJ yells:
Coke - The men kneel down on one knee and the woman run across and sit on their knee.
Pepsi - The woman kneel down and the men run across sitting on their knee.
Dr Pepper - Couples high five each other in the middle.
7 Up - Dance
The couples are eliminated when they are last to follow the call outs. They are intentionally confused during
the game by calling out Mountain Dew, Orange Crush, and others. This game can also be changed to support
a theme if necessary. For corporate events you can use words or items that have meaning to the company.
Grand Entrance
Grand Entrances - Make it Unique And Special
Why Have A Grand Entrance?
The grand entrance or wedding march as some refer to it is the entrance of the wedding party to the
reception. It is usually accompanied my much fanfare and grandeur and is a chance for the wedding party
members to be announced and consequently introduced to the guests at the reception. It is as much of a
tradition as it is a chance to have some fun at your wedding. More so is the opportunity to uniquely express
your self, increase the energy level at your reception, and create some special memories. If you are have a
videographer at your reception wouldn't you want to take the opportunity to make a unique memory which
could be viewed and enjoyed 25 years from now?
Who Can Be In The Grand Entrance?
Your grand entrance can include any one you want and is not limited to just your wedding party. Traditionally
it includes the wedding party and of course the bride and groom, but you may include other special people in
your grand entrance. Some options include the ushers, ring bearer, flower girl, bride and grooms parents and
grandparents. Anyone who is special to you can be included in a grand entrance.
Staging
Staging the grand entrance is important because of presentation. It can include many things such as lighting
to clearing the dish tray out of the entrance area. The idea is that the grand entrance will most likely be video
taped and anything that might detract from the quality of that video tape will be easily discernible both now,
and when you watch that video ten or twenty years down the road. Most of your guests at the event won't pick
up on these imperfections but as one famous DJ likes to point out, it can always be better. The following items
should be thought of when setting the stage for a grand entrance.
• Move items out of the area which can detract from the appearance and presentation of the grand entrance.
These things include waiter tables, extra chairs, wait staff, waste receptacles, etc. The video cameras will be
focused on a specific area and it is a simple matter to make it as neat as possible.
• Make sure the wedding party is not standing in the doorway and are visible to the guests. If possible keep
them around the corner and out of site until ready.
• If the entrance will be made through a set of doors keep them open for the wedding party but then shut
them before the bride and groom are to enter. Then at the appropriate time, have a couple of helpers open the
doors when they are to enter. This makes a much neater presentation.
• Make sure a path for the wedding party to walk in to the room is selected ahead of time and remains clear.
• Make sure everyone who is part of the grand entrance knows what to do. The ring bearer and flower girl
knows where to go, the brides maids and grooms men know where to walk to in the room and if there are to
participate in another event right away.
• The photographer and videographer should be prepared and ready at this point.
Staging can also include a buildup to the entrance. Your MC can do many things to build the energy level in
the room prior to the grand entrance. This can be as simple as playing a song like queen we will rock you
(stomp-stomp clap, stomp-stomp clap) and getting your guests stomping and clapping for example. Or instead
requesting that your guests assist in the bride and grooms introduction where they all shout your new last
name together as part of the grand entrance. That would be a memorable video tape moment. The important
part is that the stage is set for your entrance and everything is thought through beforehand.
Different ways to announce the bride and groom
There are a multitude of possibilities available for announcing the bride and groom and like everything else,
it's a matter of personal taste. Some examples follow but you can always throw your preference into the mix.
"Ladies and gentlemen, it is my pleasure to introduce to you in public for the first time as man and wife, Jane
and John Smith!"
"After operating as free agents, they have signed a lifelong contract together. Mr and Mrs John Smith!"
Types of grand entrances
There are as many ways to do a grand entrance as you can imagine or think of. No two are the same and each
is a unique reflection on the bride and grooms style and personal taste. Whether it's a traditional
announcement type entrance set to music or an elaborate production style entrance with effect lighting and
multiple sound tracks involved they all consist of the same basic elements. Whatever style and method you as
a bride and groom choose is completely up to you. This is your moment to shine and you should have fun with
it.
Some options that go well with any grand entrance
One thing that goes over very well at all receptions is that after the grand entrance the groom takes the
microphone and thanks all of the guests for being there to share in this celebration. Of course it is OK if the
bride thanks everyone too.
Another option that is kind of nice is to have your first dance follow immediately after the grand entrance. The
advantages to doing it this way are that you already have everyones attention, and it flows very nicely from the
entrance to the first dance. Another reason is if the photographer and videographer aren't going to be staying
the entire evening then you will want to be sure to have them capture the first dance.
A really nice touch is to have the wedding party gather on the dance floor after they enter and create a tunnel
that the bride and groom must walk through. This works very well when the first dance immediately follows.
The wedding party can witness the event and it will make for some excellent video or photo shots.
The various styles of the grand entrance can be anything you desire. The following examples are just that,
examples of grand entrances. Feel free to mix and match any part of them to create your own unique style.
The traditional grand entrance
This is a very common style of grand entrance. It consists of lining up the wedding party outside of the room
and announcing them as they enter. This is usually put to music that the bride and groom have chosen.
Usually the wedding party is brought in first and then the doors are closed. A buildup is done for the bride and
groom and at the right moment the doors will open and the bride and groom will walk in.
Sometimes the wedding party will enter to one song and then the bride and groom will enter to another
different song. This of course is optional and is a matter of taste for the bride and groom.
The story grand entrance
Based on the traditional grand entrance but with a slight twist. As each member of the wedding party enters
the room the MC will tell everyone something about that person. It can be humorous and include sound bites
from songs and movies, or it can be sweet and telling. If there is more than a sentence or two then the couples
will be instructed to enter the room and wait at a pre determined spot while their story is told.
The line up
Instead of announcing each couple individually as they enter the room the wedding party is announced as the
"wedding party". They enter the room and line up on the dance floor or in front of the head table. Each
member is then announced and they can do a twirl or take a bow. The bride and groom are then announced
and brought in separately. They then proceed to the head table, or to the dance floor.
The production or theatrical grand entrance
The following suggestion isn't for the shy couple or the couple which wants to avoid the spotlight, but an
elaborate grand entrance can help set the mood for your entire reception.
Imagine your guests sitting down when all of a sudden the lights flicker, then go out. The room is completely
dark. Spotlights start sweeping around the room, momentarily lighting your guests as they move on by.
Everyone is wondering about what's going on? Music is in the background and it's getting louder, slowing
building to a thunderous level.
Your MC announces that the wedding party has arrived. Another song starts playing, what's that - We're not
going to take it by Twisted Sister - The spotlights all of a sudden focus on the entrance. The Bride and grooms
parents are announced and they enter the room to enthusiastic laughter and applause. The music fades into
another song - Bad Boys by Inner Circle - The ushers are announced and they enter the room. They ham it up
to the music, again to laughter and applause. The music now fades into - We Trying To Stay Alive by Wyclef
Jean - as the bridesmaids and groomsmen are announced and enter the room. Your guests are clapping,
whistling, and very excited.
The spotlights fade and the room is dark again, the music fades out and there is silence. The MC announces
"Ladies and gentlemen it is my pleasure to announce for the first time in public as man and wife ...". The
spotlights quickly illuminate doors on each side of the room. Music starts playing - At Last by Etta James - The
bride and groom are entering from different doors, your guests are on there feet now, clapping, cheering and
whistling. The bride and groom slowly walk towards each other, there eyes locked meeting on the dance floor.
They proceed to have their first dance together as man and wife.
Memorable Special Dances Really Impress Your Guests
There was a recent posting on one of the DJ discussion forums Carol and I frequent where a video on youtube
was posted showing an interesting bride and grooms first dance. The best part was the wedding reception
guests reaction to it and the fun the couple were having. It really was impressive and didn't look that hard to
learn. Titled "Wedding dance with a twist" it is neat and fun. I know that their guests won't forget this
reception any time soon.
At a wedding reception we did a few years ago the bride asked us to play one of the more traditional slow
father daughter dances. I think it was butterfly kisses or something like that. But she wanted us to fade into
the Top Gun theme Danger Zone after 20 or 30 seconds. Apparently it was her fathers favorite song and it
always got his feet moving. I wish I could describe the look on his face when he realized what was happening.
They both lit up the dance floor for the rest of the song. The brides mother came up later to tell us that she
didn't know he could move like that. Just a little bit of planning can go a long way in this area.
You could have members of your wedding party choreograph a dance to a specific song. Thriller by Michael
Jackson is something everyone is familiar with and is easily recognizable. With a little bit of work your wedding
party could put on a show that your guests will never forget. The following clip (also on youtube) is titled
"Thriller Wedding" and shows how well something like this can be the hit of your party.
Another example shows how four groomsmen choreographed a Special Dance for the bride and groom titled
"Ok Go Dance At My Sisters Wedding". Don't forget to watch and listen to the reaction of the guests. This type
of thing goes over so well and makes for such wonderful memories.
Remember, it's your day and if you would like to do something like this then go for it. It could be something
simple and easy or as elaborate as you want. There are dance studios available in the area that would be glad
to help you choreograph a special dance. Or maybe you have a friend who can help.
Now You Can Have The Best Most Impressive Grand Entrance
The following suggestion isn't for the shy couple or the couple which wants to avoid the spotlight, but an
elaborate grand entrance can help set the mood for your entire reception.
Imagine your guests sitting down for dinner when all of a sudden the lights flicker, then go out. The room is
completely dark. Spotlights start sweeping around the room, momentarily lighting your guests as they move
on by. Everyone is wondering what's going on? Music is in the background and it's getting louder, slowing
building to a thunderous level.
Your MC announces on the microphone that the wedding party has arrived. Another song starts playing,
what's that - We're not going to take it by Twisted Sister - The spotlights all of a sudden focus on the entrance.
The Bride and grooms parents are announced and they enter the room to enthusiastic laughter and applause.
The music fades into another song - Bad Boys by Inner Circle - The ushers are announced and they enter the
room. They ham it up to the music, again to laughter and applause. The music now fades into - We Trying To
Stay Alive by Wyclef Jean - as the bridesmaids and groomsmen are announced and enter the room. Your guests
are clapping, whistling, and very excited.
The spotlights fade and the room is dark again, the music fades out and there is silence. The MC announces
"Ladies and gentlemen it is my pleasure to announce for the first time in public as man and wife ...". The
spotlights quickly illuminate doors on each side of the room. Music starts playing - At Last by Etta James - The
bride and groom are entering from different doors, your guests are on there feet now, clapping, cheering and
whislting. The bride and groom slowly walk towards each other meeting on the dance floor. They proceed to
have their first dance together as man and wife.
The Personal DJ
Weddings now a days are all about making it unique and memorable. DJ's can help make things more
personal. They can ask the bride & groom why they picked a particular song for their first dance. "I went to a
wedding where it seemed like the DJ knew the couple their whole lives. When he introduced the song for their
first dance he said a little about what the song meant to them and when I watched their wedding video it was
like having a commentator. I though it was sweet." Talk to your DJ/MC about things like this, for example, tell
your DJ how you met, what you did on your first date, etc.
Your guests will feel closer to you and more involved in the festivities when these intimate details are shared.