Weddings are a time in life , when everyone wants to get together with their loved ones and enjoy and make merry. We invite so many guests and friends to be a part of our big day and the functions preceding it. Even long lost relatives, and childhood friends are summoned to attend our big wedding events, even if we haven’t seen them or spoken to them in a long time. While the many things that make a wedding special are the food, decoration, arrangements and setting, one of the major things that one takes back from attending a wedding is memories of joy created with your loved ones. The laughter and smiles that come from having a fun filled get together, full of dance, music and entertainment, is what most people seek when planning to attend a wedding. Hindi films have played a great role in depicting weddings as a time for raillery and enjoyment, with the whole wedding party grooving to songs and singing along with one another. While in the older times, the sources of entertainment were limited to the family and friends of the wedding party, new trends in professional entertainment have opened major avenues for those who seek to have something out of the ordinary in their weddings. While traditionally entertainment during weddings was limited to singing Banna/ Bannis before the wedding, or playing traditional games amongst the wedding couple and relatives; modern advancements in professionalism in the field of entertainment have brought forth a wide variety of options to choose from. Not only that, over the years, modes of entertainment within families have also diversified. But one may ask, what is the need for such entertainment? While various ceremonies in Indian weddings are dependent on auspiciousness of time, the guests wait around either hogging on appetizers or chugging drinks. To make use of the time that guests spend awaiting the rituals, various modes of entertainment can be used. We hear stories of big Bollywood celebrities singing and dancing in high profile weddings. But, why should only the rich people have fun? Even if you don’t have a very lavish budget, you can still incorporate entertainment segments in various ceremonies of your wedding.
Are you waiting for Dulhan's mehndi to dry? It's a great time for entertainment. All cousins have gathered around for the cocktail party? That's a great time for having some fun. Is the Dulhan still getting ready? Another chance for enjoyment. There’s still time in the Pheras? Time to party. There are dozens of opportunities where you can incorporate entertainment elements,to have a lasting impression of your wedding. Show them a time they will remember for years to come. After all, aren't we all always excited to dress up and go to a wedding? Make it worth their while. Be it opting for professional sources of entertainment, or be it creating fun and joy amongst your family members, we have got you covered. Here is a list of various entertainment ideas, to make your wedding event a grand success.
Some people have made entire careers out of wedding entertainment. There are thousands of talented artists and performers, who need a stage to showcase their talents. While many people wait for cultural festivals and competitions, thousands of artists have made their bread and butter through wedding entertainment. If you don’t have the time to create entertainment amongst yourselves, be it getting together to practice, or finding opportunities to get all your guests together, before your wedding day, the realm of professional entertainment has no dearth of ideas. If you have a budget that allows you to spend a few extra bucks, here are a few ideas for professional entertainment for your wedding events.
One of the oldest modes of professional entertainment is the Orchestra. Since many years we have observed that in movies and in big functions, special orchestras used to be invited to create entertainment and music for the pleasure of the guests. Orchestras usually play popular local music for the enjoyment of their guests. They also play on special demand. Their team comprises one or two lead singers who are accompanied by various instrumentalists. There is a lead who makes sure that everyone plays their part as rehearsed and you enjoy the melodious music created by them. While traditionally, orchestras in Indian weddings usually played the popular bollywood songs, some orchestras also have their original symphonies, which they may or may not play as per the needs of the wedding party. Though nowadays, Orchestras are comparatively less common in big cities, people in smaller cities still prefer to invite orchestra artists for their musical events like sangeet night, or mehendi night. Some may even continue to play through the wedding in the background, creating a pleasant environment for the guests.
A newer variant of the orchestra is the live band. While some guests enjoy bollywood music recreated through the professional singers and instrumentalists, many people also enjoy live band performances from local musicians who create their own music and usually play less popular forms of music such as jazz, rock and roll, Indi pop, old funk rock, rap, reggae, folk rock, Hindustani Classical and Carnatic music, fusion, folk music, and so on. These band performers may also incorporate certain bollywood music on special requests, but they are usually known for their own style of music. This form of entertainment is more common amongst younger generations who feel affinity to these genres, or music lovers, who appreciate unique styles of music. This form of wedding entertainment is garnering a lot of interest in modern day weddings. These performances are ideal for playing after the wedding ceremony has taken place, and guests are in a light mood , waiting for their food, just socializing amongst themselves.
Dance has always been one of the major sources of entertainment in a country like India. Dozens of professional dance troupes are available all across the country. They come with their team of professional dancers, who have rehearsed on various songs as per the theme and requirements of the wedding party. The range of variety in dance forms performed by professional dance troupes is far and wide, ranging from Indian folk, to Bollywood style, to Indian classical, to western styles. Depending on your taste, you can pick and choose the kinds of dance performances you would like to incorporate in your wedding events. Dance performances are ideal for various wedding events such as mehendi night, sangeet night, wedding ceremony and even wedding reception.
One of the most celebrated and royal forms of entertainment in India, is the art of Ghazal singing. Gone are the days when you had to be a Music connoisseur, living in the Nawabi and Mughal cities of Lucknow and Delhi to get a chance to witness Ghazal singing. While traditionally, ghazal singing had more prominence in the Kothas and Mehfils of a select few localities in India, their amalgamation with Bollywood and the Indian film Industry, made them a popular form of music amongst common people. Nowadays you can hire professionally trained Ghazal singers to perform at your wedding, if the theme of your wedding is royal and leaning towards tradition and culture. Ghazal singing is appreciated by young and old alike, and it is a great way to create a soothing ambience in your wedding event. Ghazal artists can be asked to perform on the wedding day or wedding reception events, while your guests enjoy their snacks or drinks.
Folk artists are gaining more and more popularity in wedding functions since, many folk artists began to see limelight through various music reality shows like Indian Idol, Sa Re Ga Ma Pa, Rising Star and so on. In fact, various experimental music played by folk artists on MTV Rock has also led to a rise in lovers of folk music. Folk artists are not limited to singers, but also comprise various other folk performances such as folk dancers, puppeteers, instrumentalists. Welcoming your guests by a small folk performance at the entrance of the wedding venue is a great idea. You can place folk singers and instrumentalists at the gate who continue to perform as your guests enter the venue. You can also set up a puppeteering booth, where young children can sit and watch the puppets dance, while elders are engaged in the wedding ceremony. You can also opt for different folk dance performers to perform on the stage while your guests sit back and enjoy their food, or wait for important rituals that may be due.
A large number of people are fans of Qawwalis. Not only are Qawwalis a great way to build tempo and energy amongst its audience, but it also has a very soulful and melodious nature that makes you feel united with the universe. On the special occasion of your wedding you can invite Qawwali singers to sing on the stage for your guests. Very often, people are aware of popular Qawwalis and we can see them join the performers in singing and moving to the rhythm. A Qawwali act is bound to increase the energy levels of your guests and create a sense of involvement, while immersing themselves into the music and entertainment. Often accompanied by clapping, the Qawwali act will set a celebratory mood amongst your guests and leave them feeling elated by the end of the performance.
Stand up comedy has garnered a lot of followers in India. Since the Great Indian Comedy show first launched on Indian television, the level of comedy and professionalism in the field has increased. While in earlier times comedians did not have a very respectful standing in our culture, many shows and social media platforms have legitimized the effort and hardwork that goes into making people laugh. After all, who doesn’t want their guests to feel happy and full of laughter and joy on their wedding day. What better way to ensure that your guests are having fun, than to actually make them laugh. While most comedians come prepared with their own set of jokes and punches, you can also request them to incorporate certain family related jokes and punches, beforehand, into their acts, to give your guests an even more personalized experience. The stress of wedding planning and ensuring the hospitality of your guests, will easily wear off if a stand up comedian is invited to perform at your event.
Another interesting way of creating intrigue and entertainment at your wedding event is by having a magician perform. While usually magical acts were performed in big auditoriums with hundreds of guests, sitting in awe of the various magic tricks, these days you can easily hire a magician for your pre wedding events. While your guests are enjoying their evening snacks after the haldi event, or the female guests are waiting for their mehendi to dry, a magician can keep the young ones busy, by asking them to volunteer in their acts and keeping them involved, while making sure your guests have a good time.
Mime Artists are a great option for creating elements of joy for young kids at your wedding events. Many times, during the wedding functions, adults want to interact with each other, while their children keep pestering them. To keep the kids busy and prevent them from constantly troubling their parents, you can have mime artists dressed as Jokers, Charlie Chaplin, or any cartoon characters, that will ensure that the kids are entertained during the wedding events, and the parents can have a fuss free celebration.
This is one of the most popular and the least expensive modes of entertainment in weddings. You simply have to book a DJ for your wedding event. They come prepared with sound and light equipment and a big playlist. Whether the guests are waiting for the rituals, or waiting for dinner, once the DJ plays the latest music, one cannot resist themselves from dancing. You can invite your guests to take part in group dancing or even performing solo dances, to keep them occupied and entertained. This is also a good way of familial intermixing and bonding. The guests from both sides of the families can come together and dance together, freely on the DJ and have a ball.
One of the most popular modes of entertainment in the northern parts of India, particularly in Delhi, Punjab and Haryana is the Dhol. Once the Dhol starts playing, there are only a rare few who can resist themselves from shaking a leg on the dance floor. Add to this a Bhangra or Giddha group that first performs a dance on the dhol and then invites the guests to join them, and you have a superhit formula for a dhamakedaar Indian wedding. A Dholi and Bhangra/Gidda Group is a great option to welcome the Baraat on the gate. While the Baraat comes along with its own band baaja, it involves only the groom’s family who have danced their way to the wedding venue. By placing a Dholi and a dance group at the entrance, you can encourage the intermixing and dancing together for both the Gharaatees who are standing there for the welcome and the Baratees who have just arrived.
Various instrumentalists are common modes of entertainment in Wedding functions. Inviting Shehnai players to play at the wedding event gives weddings a traditional appeal. Shehnai is an instrument that is particularly associated with wedding festivities. In earlier times, the playing of the Shehnai at any house represented that there was about to be a wedding in the house. Now Shehnai Vadan has taken a more professional form. Shehnai players are now invited to perform at various festivals and grand cultural events, as they are seen to be the symbol of Indian heritage. You too can invite Shehnai players to perform at the entrance of your wedding event, as a welcoming element. Alternatively, various other instrumentalists such as sitar players, santoor players, tabla players, flute players, sarangi players can be invited to perform during your wedding functions, to keep your guests entertained.
While inviting Shahrukh Khan, Katrina Kaif or Hrithik Roshan may be an extremely expensive affair, but for those who can afford it, inviting a celebrity performer is also a popular form of wedding entertainment. Being bollywood stars, they already have a huge fan following, plus years of experience in the entertainment industry. They put days of rehearsals into making sure that your event is extravagant and extraordinary. However, if you think these celebrities are not in your budget, there are other celebrities like reality show winners, TV actors, playback singers, who also perform at weddings, at much cheaper price. You can make your wedding an unforgettable event by having a well known face perform at your event.
Hiring an outsider or a professional artist is not the only way to make your wedding event a joyful soiree. There are many ideas for entertainment that can be indulged in, by involving just your friends , family and guests. These methods will not only ensure that your guests have a great time, but at the same time you can make sure that the entertainment aspect of your wedding will not burn a hole in your pocket. Lets see some of the ideas for personal entertainment at weddings and pre wedding events.
Traditionally , when weddings lasted for days and weeks, families found ways to keep themselves entertained by playing various games. While some of the games were pre wedding games, in which the relatives of the bride and groom indulged in teasing and fun with one another , there were some games that were played by the couple itself, after the marriage to work as ice breakers, especially in arranged marriages. Traditional wedding games entailed: i) The Haldi game, where on the day of the haldi ceremony, the family members of the bride/ groom would try to imprint their haldi smeared hands on the clothes of any new guests arriving in the house; ii) The Welcome Game, where the Gharaati women would keep a long Ghooghat and welcome the Baraati men by hurling abuses at them; iii) Juta Chupai, where the cousins, sisters and friends of the bride hid the shoes of the groom and only returned them upon receiving some money in exchange; iv) Ring Finding game, where the bride and groom had to find a ring dipped in a tray containing milk, by simply roving their hands, and whoever found the ring was considered to be the dominating partner in the relationship; and so on. Nowadays, these traditional games have been replaced by modern games. In smaller functions leading upto the wedding ceremony, you can make your guests play couple games like paper dance or balloon dance. On the night of the mehendi or sangeet, you can make two teams and play antakshari amongst your guests. Some people also choose to do kite flying competitions amongst friends and family during day events like the Haldi ceremony. You can keep a wedding karaoke on the mehendi night. On the day of the wedding arrange for small counters or stalls where children and adults can play ring toss. On your cocktail night, you can play a game of beer pong, if the guests are younger in age. Keeping your guests entertained by games throughout your wedding events is a great budget friendly way of increasing the quotient of fun in your wedding.
Everyone is dressed in their best outfits for weddings. Be it traditional Indian wear, or Indo fusion wear, or western wear, everyone dresses well to be a part of your wedding. Then why not make this an opportunity for them to show off their style.While the guests are waiting for the rituals to begin, one of the immediate family members of the bride can invite couples to come and do a ramp walk in the centre of the venue , or the stage where everyone can watch. While the couple walks the ramp and displays their sense of fashion and style, the person acting as the anchor can introduce the relative and their relation to the bride/ groom, whilst making them feel special. This will not only give a chance to your guests to flaunt their style, but will also help introduce the relatives and friends of the bride and groom to one another.
Another interesting way of engaging with your guests on the days leading up to your wedding is by giving them titles. These have to be prepared in advance, keeping in mind the nature and characteristic of each relative, the titles are given by one family member and announced in front of everyone. These can be funny names, phrases or songs that define the personality of a particular relative. This amusement is ideal for playing in a pre wedding function, because the bride and groom's families celebrate the pre wedding events separately, and this event is suitable for only close friends and family members, because the titles may create embarrassment or laughter amongst the participants.
This is a form of entertainment that may have both personal and professional elements. Family members of the bride/ groom can choreograph dance performances, by themselves or through trained professionals, to perform in front of their guests. These performances can be solo, duets, group, couples, or in the form of a medley. This form of entertainment requires some preparation beforehand, as one can not directly perform perfectly synchronized performances in front of an audience without rehearsal. This form of entertainment is perfect for the day of the sangeet. So if you have enough time before your Sangeet, to prepare a perfectly choreographed performance, this too can be a great source of entertainment for your guests for your pre wedding event. The choreographed skit is one of the popular modes of entertainment in modern couples. In this method, the close friends and family of the couple can choreograph a skit/ small dramatic performance to share the love story of the couple with their guests. Various friends and family members can play the role of important characters who helped in the development of the romance of the couple, and can be a great way to entertain your guests at the Sangeet or the Cocktail function.
When modern methods of entertainment were not in existence, people turned to their folk arts for finding joy in their wedding events. Singing folk songs that focus on the bride/ groom, making fun of the bride/ groom’s relatives, dancing on folk songs that elaborated the experiences of a bride/ groom after marriage was a very common method. You can still do these activities in your pre wedding events. Usually the older generation relatives are very familiar with these songs. The folk song singing can be accompanied by instruments like dholak and manjeera to make it more fun and rhythmic. Alternatively, you can also indulge in folk dancing on the day of the wedding. Today this style of folk dancing has merged with the modern music system. Usually among Punjabis, Garhwalis, Gujaratis and Rajasthanis, people ask their DJs to play folk songs. Or many times they themselves get together and sing their traditional songs and dance on the day of the wedding with their fellow relatives and guests. Since folk dance steps are familiar to the people of the community, this type of entertainment and enjoyment does not require any form of rehearsal, and can be indulged in on the spot; making the wedding function a source of great joy and bonding for every one.
We have often seen videos of Falguni Pathak singing at a grand Navratri event, while all the guests dance to her tunes. Why wait till Navratri to have a Dandiya/ Garba night. Host one on your sangeet. The orchestra or DJ can be requested to play Dandiya beats or Garba music. You don’t even have to be a Gujarati to participate in this activity. You can arrange for dandiya sticks at a stall at your wedding venue and while the guests wait for the rituals to begin, or for the bride to arrive, they can simply make a giant circle and play Dandiya and Garba with one another.
