The following article is a continuation of our last post: Wedding Cocktail Hour Entertainment: Mementos for Guests. Hopefully these two articles will help your Cocktail Hour even more fabulous!!!

Bands

Live music always adds a special touch to any occasion. Live music has also become more of a trend for weddings not only for dancing at the reception, but also for entertainment during the cocktail hour. Hiring a band is a simple task that can also enhance your guests experience at your wedding. There are many different types of small bands that can be hired for a short or long cocktail hour. For example, Mariachi Bands are very simple and something different that most people have not seen. Also, there are Batteria (Battery) Bands. This type of entertainment is something that many people have not seen or heard of. For those who do not know, a Batteria Band usually consists of three to four people all playing percussion instruments with the addition of vocals. They can be playing in one spot or can be moving around throughout the party. The sounds of percussion help liven up the crowd as well as help add an ethnic feel to the ambiance of the party. Again, hiring any type of band can be a simple way to add a little something to your cocktail hour for your guests to enjoy.

Musicians

If bands are not your style and you like a more classy, sophisticated feel to your cocktail hour, hiring a Piano Player or a String Quartet can add an elegant spin to any type of event. There are many types of Pianists who play different types of music depending on what you’d like at your cocktail hour. For example, we have seen Pianists that are able to play different cultural and ethnic Songs as well as English songs on the Piano. If you are having a cultural wedding it may be very surprising and entertaining for your guests to hear familiar cultural songs played on the piano. This is another simple way to entertain your guests during the cocktail hour. String Quartets are also another type a live musical entertainment that can change the ambiance of a cocktail hour. The soothing and elegant sounds of string instruments helps get your guests in the mood to enjoy the rest of the night to come.

Dancers

If you have the space for a performance during cocktail hour, how about booking dancers!!! Its a great way to keep your guests entertained before dinner. You could hire a Salsa Dancing group that could do a performance and possibly pull some of your guests to teach a quick lesson to.  For a South Asian wedding, you could have a Bollywood dance group to do a routine or two.  If you’re having a Hawaiian or Tropical Island themed wedding, how great would it be do have Polynesian Dancers at your wedding, from the story telling dance of the Hula, to the fast beats of Tahitian dancing.  Check out Polynesian Paradise, a great Polynesian Dance company that we love, based out in Southern California.

Entertainment is an aspect in weddings that can add to the theme, ambiance, and excitement of the whole night. Adding entertainment to the cocktail hour, in particular, definitely adds all three aspects to your wedding while your guests also enjoy the food and drinks. Whether you pick to have mementos, musical entertainment, or both there’s always something special for your guests to remember about your special day. Brides, be ready to be surprised by your fiancé’s choice of entertainment!
Grooms, keep reading for more helpful tips!!

-Blogger for the Groom

Image 1 via: Matthew May Photography
Image 2 via: Lomonaco Artists
Image 3 via: Polynesian Paradise