15 Unique Activities to Bring the Extra Fun to Your Wedding!

Your wedding day is going to be one of the most significant days of your life. You’ll make memories to last a lifetime. But what about your guests? How can you ensure they are going to have a great time and make their own lasting memories? 

Here is a list of unique additions to your big day, from simple to extravagant, that will keep guests entertained while going the extra mile in making it memorable:

1. Audio Guestbook: An audio guestbook turns a regular, old guestbook into a fun activity. Instead of making guests come up with something sentimental off the top of their head, they can stream-of-conscious their well wishes to you over the phone. Just record your own personal greeting to guests and then they leave a message after the tone. You’ll end up with heartfelt and fun messages to listen to over and over again.

Where to book? With us!

2. Personalized Temporary Tattoos: Guests can take a lil something home with them in the form of skin art. Custom tattoos of you and your babe’s faces guests will have you with them all night. Or maybe you both are big fans of the outdoors. A mix of flora and fauna tattoos would be the perfect homage. How to: Order your tattoos a few weeks before your wedding. On the day of, set up the tattoo station at a designated table with mini sponges, a water vessel, the temporary tats, and napkins or hand towels for any clean up.

Where to get the tattoos: Temporarytattoos.com, Inkbox.com, or Etsy.com

Sponges: Amazon.com

3. Real Tattoos: Maybe you and your friends are the type to want real ink. Let your guests get yatted with a professional tattoo artist at your wedding. This is a surefire way to give your guests lasting mementos from your big day. But who do you hire? Your wedding planner may know some artists who like to do weddings. If not, just reach out to some artist you like and simply ask. I find many artists enjoy doing tattoos at events. Here are a few in the Portland area that I recommend: Anatomy Tattoo, Howdy Slow Poke, Margo Tattoos

   
   

4. Live Art or Calligraphy: Here is another form of art for your guests to cherish once your big day is over. You can find artists who specialize in different styles of portraits or art, to create live, at your wedding. From “bad portraits” to live calligraphy (think personalized treasures), and everything in between. Guests get to have the experience as well as a memory to take home.

Portland area artists: Bad Portraits by Karlee, Write Me Prettyy,

Infinite Doorways by Phoenix Glass

5. Photobooth: This option is a little more mainstream, but you get a lot of bang for your buck! I mean, who doesn’t like taking silly (or serious) photos AND receiving instant copies? But what do you look for in the booth you intend to rent? The key is to hire a company who customizes the experience to your wedding day. I’m talking, the layout & size of the photo strip, the design, personalization, custom start screen, your choice of backdrop, and tailored online gallery. Second, the quality and lighting of the photos. Third, a reliable, communicative company. Lastly; do they make custom photo props of your pets to have at your wedding?? Well, You’re Cute Photobooth does!

   
   

6. Tarot Card Reader: If a little witchiness, or perhaps looking into the future, is your vibe, think about hiring a tarot card reader for your wedding. They can engage guests in a unique and fun way. In Portland, I’d recommend Cara State of Mind.

7. A Guest Map: The idea is to have a blank map, push pins, and cute name labels of each guest. Then they can pin on the map where they came from for the wedding, adding their name as well. After the wedding, you can hang the map with your favorite peoples’ cities, in your home. How to? Procure a medium size map, cork board, and adhesive. Glue the map well to the cork board so the pins have something to grip. You can even get it framed at a custom shop.

8. Recipe Book: We all know every family has their favorite recipes. Why not ask your guests to submit their personal favorites so you can have a recipe book full of the best of the best? Over time you and your honey can try the various dishes, maybe sharing some quick snaps of the finished product to the person who passed it along. Obviously you will need to give guests some forewarning to have a recipe ready. They can write it on personalized recipe cards and drop it in a collection box. Take it one step further and use a QR code in your thank you cards to direct guests to the recipe book, in its entirety, so all can share in the deliciousness. You can make your very own online version here.

9. A Carnival Ride (think Ferris Wheel or Giant Slide): Looking for something a little more over-the-top, think about renting a ferris wheel or super slide for the evening. Guests can take a ride during the reception and get a great view of the surrounding area from the top. Everyone will be in line for this one and your wedding will certainly be unforgettable. 

Ferris Wheel Rental: bouncepros.com, partyworksinteractive.com 

Giant Slide Rental: National Event Pros

10. Axe Throwing or Archery: These medieval options are perfect for the couple who is a bit alternative or or just likes to throw things. Guests can take some time away from dancing to visit the woodland area and practice their precision. 

Axe Throwing: National Event Pros Archery: Destination Events

11. Magician: Ok, hear me out. I know this might sound cheesy but I promise I have been to events with crowd-work magicians and the people love it. This is definitely a way to keep guests entertained. How many people can say they had a magician at their wedding?

Who: There are many in the Portland area to choose from.

12. Alpacas: These adorable and chill guys and gals are so fun to have around. Guests will have a chance to feed them and grab a photo to take with them. It’ll be like getting a short burst of animal therapy during your wedding.

Who: Alpacas of Oregon

13. Giant Crossword Puzzle: Make a crossword puzzle with clues and answers about the two of you. You can feature the giant puzzle at the reception for everyone to partake in.

Guests will have a fun time trying to figure out the clues. Plus it’s the perfect excuse

for some collaboration among family and friends.

14. Piñata: Take this birthday party classic and give it the wedding twist. Get a custom made piñata of your initials, your pets head, a cake, or something to match your wedding decor. When choosing what to fill it with, it doesn’t just have to be candy. You can do tiny alcohol bottles, small savory snacks, small novelty items that represent the two of you, wrapped up dollar bills, gift cards (for a real fight), or scratch offs, to name a few. Blind fold your guests and let ‘em rip. Create a custom piñata

15. I Spy Photo Game: This classic childhood game gets a wedding twist. Provide your guests with cameras for each table and a list of items they need to take photos of. Every table will do their best to capture each type of photo. The best part though is all the cute photos from parts of the wedding you may miss, to take home. This game is a win-win.

For the cameras, small polaroids or traditional film cameras could be perfect for this.

Find plenty of pre-written game sheets on Etsy.