Your wedding is your time to shine, and of course you want your friends and family to have a great time. When people think of entertainment at a wedding, they often stop at the band, but the truth is that you can go so much further! Check out some of these great ways to entertain your guests on your big day.

Sketch Artist

There are plenty of quick sketch artists who purposefully work weddings, and it can be a real thrill for your guests to get draw in charcoals, watercolors or pastels. In most cases, a sketch artist will do very quick sketches of the bride and the groom before moving forward to draw the various guests. Not only does this delight your friends and family, you will receive some amazing souvenirs from your wedding in the form of these pieces of art. If you want to make sure that there are plenty of sketches to go around, you may want to hire two sketch artists, especially if your wedding is very large.

Karaoke

When you have family and friends who love to party, you can’t beat the fun of a karaoke machine. Some people just open up in unexpected ways when you put a microphone in front of them, and if you want to listen to your nearest and dearest belting out the best hits, a karaoke machine is a good choice. Of course, remember that karaoke is best done at a wedding where the reception is divided up into two rooms or more!

Fire Dancers

When you want the thrill of danger and a truly amazing performance for your reception, consider calling in some fire dancers! Fire dancing, also known as fire spinning or fire twirling, is an art where fire may be spun on batons, on long chains or on hoops, among other items. You should make sure that fire dancing is allowed at the venue that you choose, and you should always hire a troupe or individual that has a great deal of experience in the field.

Photo Booth

For a relatively small price, you can rent a photo booth for your reception and set it out so that people can take their own pictures. A photo booth is a great way to catch your loved ones partnering up and having a great time. As the evening wears on, give out prizes for the best faces, the sweetest shots and most adorable kids’ pictures. A photo both is perfect for anyone who loves scrapbooking and who wants to have plenty of pictures to work with.

Comedian

If you know that your family and friends have a compatible sense of humor, think about calling in a comedian. A comedian who performs during dinner can keep the energy up, and it is a great way to get people laughing and talking. Choose a comedian who meshes with your sense of humor and speak with him or her about the wedding itself. In some cases, a comedian will even be willing to work you and your new spouse into the routine!

If you want to have a wedding that will be remembered years down the line, consider the entertainment as soon as possible. There are many people who are happy with a live band or a DJ, but there are so many places that you can go beyond that. What kind of offbeat entertainment can you use to give your wedding that unique feel?

Evelyn Mackey is a freelance blogger for zenartsla.com. She writes about finding unique approaches to weddings and event planning and entertainment. Most recently, she is especially excited by event performers such as fire dancers.