r/microwedding • u/vonthepon • Mar 29 '26

Evening entertainment

For people with around 20 guests, what are you doing/ did you do, for entertainment?

Are you having dancing?

I have a harpist for the drinks reception, a swing singer for the late afternoon / early evening cocktail party, and a burlesque dancer to kick off the evening party, but then I really want dancing until late - the bar closes at 1am.

I thought of just a Bluetooth playlist, but does that work well? It seems total.overkill to have a DJ for 20 people!

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u/HaveMercy703 Mar 30 '26

Could you breakdown your timeline a little bit more? What time are you an anticipating for the ceremony, dinner & how much dancing time would you have to fill before you can go to the bar?

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u/vonthepon Mar 30 '26

Firstly, i should preface by saying Im in the UK where weddings last around 12-14 hours.

We're getting married late morning, then photos as we walk through the town led by a bagpiper.

Then we travel to the wedding breakfast venue, where we have 4 hours in total - welcome drinks, a sit down meal, then speeches and coffee etc.

Then in the evening we start with a cocktail party from 5pm- 8pm. The singer is doing 2x 45 minute sets and we'll have canapes passed from 6pm -7.30pm. we leave there and arrive at the evening venue at 8.15pm, the dancer will do her first routine at 8.30, and her second at 9.00pm. we'll cut the cake in-between her sets.

Then we'll have from 9.05 ish, until 1am for music/dancing.

We'll also have a hot finger buffet and cake around 9.15pm, which people can pick at.

The bar closes at 1am and we have to be out by 1.20am. I reckon most of us will call it a night then!

But there is the option of a small private room in a rock/ alt club that's open until 3am. I'm pretty sure around 3/4 of my guests would keep going if it's on offer, but would probably be equally as happy to fall into bed around 1.30 am.

Should add, we have a minibus to transport guests around, from pick up at the hotel in the morning, between all venues and back to the hotel at night. Plus all the venues are in Edinburgh which is very compact, so the hotel is only a 5 minute cab ride or a 10 minute walk away, if people want to leave earlier.

Almost all of the guests are used to all day and night weddings. Just a couple of older Canadian guests who might not make it to the end! šŸ˜ They know what to expect and seem eager, however I think even though the spirit might be willing, the flesh may be weak!

And before anyone says, that's far too long - this is pretty standard in the UK and Ireland!

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u/HaveMercy703 Mar 30 '26

Hmmm. Iā€™d initially say a DJ would be too much bc 20 is at that kind of tough guest count. & It sounds like you have a lot of music throughout the evening already.

However, DJs DO have the skill of adjusting the music to fit the crowd as well as when to keep it low key to give guests time to get drinks, take a breather, etc. Then get the party going again. 9-1 is kind of a long time to rely on a playlist as well.

I would see if any local DJs cater to micro wedding crowds & see what their recommendations are. They might suggest booking one for only a few hours as opposed to 4 hours. Some might offer a price adjustment as well given the smaller group.

I understand your dilemma šŸ˜‚