Unique ideas for your barn wedding reception

Inspiration – 23.03.20

You’ve said your vows and the confetti has been thrown. Now it’s the time to celebrate with your friends and family, enjoying delicious food and dancing the night away at your wedding reception. From lavish wedding entertainment to thoughtful touches, here are some unique ideas for your barn wedding reception…
 

Design and Décor

Here at Mythe Barn, we’ve been thinking of ideas for your barn wedding reception. Boasting the rural tranquility and romance of a barn with the elegance and style of a contemporary space, the Grain Store at Mythe Barn features a neutral colour palette, oak beams and beautiful chandeliers. While it needs little more than well-chosen flowers and crisp table linen, this relatively blank canvas allows you to introduce your own style and wedding theme into your reception space.

Carry your chosen colour scheme through to flowers, linen and even glassware. Introduce your personalities and wedding style through the decor to the wedding entertainment and create the wedding day atmosphere you have always envisioned.

With fabulous indoor spaces and glorious gardens, the options for wedding entertainment throughout the year are endless at Mythe Barn. If you’re planning ideas for your barn wedding reception, we have some thoughts that might inspire you…

Memorable Music

Music is one of the key elements of wedding entertainment, from the music played during your ceremony to that all-important first dance. Set the scene for your wedding with careful consideration and delight your guests with live music at your drinks reception. As with all wedding decisions, the options are endless. You might, for example, have a harpist create a romantic atmosphere for your ceremony in the Oak Barn followed by an acoustic guitarist as guests mingle during your drink reception. Alternatively, hire a steel band to perform on the lawns and give your day a relaxed, Caribbean-inspired feel.

As day turns to evening, music comes into its own. In the Grain Store at Mythe Barn, the dance floor will begin to fill. A DJ will really get your party started. Or instead, you might decide to have a live band to get your guests up on their feet. The generous space of the Grain Store makes it a versatile venue for you to put your stamp on. Throughout the day, music can be a key element. Make sure your guests enjoy the music by asking them for song requests on your RSVPs.

Lawn Games

We’re never too old to enjoy games or a little healthy competition and the spring and summer months give you the perfect opportunity to make the most of the beautiful gardens at Mythe Barn. Combine the two and lawn games become the perfect idea for your barn wedding reception. From croquet to giant Jenga or even a spot of archery, the options are plentiful! Garden games are a great way to entertain your guests outside, while you are having your photographs taken.

Fabulous Favours

Favours don’t have to cost the earth but are a lovely idea – a small gift from you to your guests, thanking them for sharing your day with you. Miniature bottles of alcohol always go down well and here at Mythe Barn we offer a range of miniature cocktails for this very reason! Get in touch with the team for more information. Scratch cards also make fun (and sometimes lucky!) favours and edible favours are always a hit, from a selection of chocolates to iced biscuits personalised with your wedding date.

You could also opt for something seasonal or in keeping with your wedding theme. Examples include a personalised toffee apple in the autumn or an individual bauble displayed on each place setting near Christmas.

Table Trivia

Break the ice between guests who may not have met before with some table games. Think; short quizzes, guessing games, ‘wedding speech bingo’ or ‘advice for the newlyweds’ cards that you can read after the big day.

Keep the children entertained with activity books or party packs. Add colouring, stickers and bubbles so that their parents can enjoy a peaceful meal. You could even arrange a treasure hunt around Mythe Barn.
 

Exceptional entertainment

Hiring professional entertainers is a surefire way of engaging your guests and adding a new element to the proceedings. Choose wedding entertainment to suit the style and size of your day, from a live painter to circus performers.

A close-up magician is a fabulous idea for your barn wedding reception, delighting your guests during welcome drinks or after the wedding breakfast. For a boho-style wedding, how about a face painter or glitter bar? Surprise your guests with singing waiters at the end of the meal or consider hiring a caricature artist for the afternoon – great fun and a lovely keepsake for your guests.

Fun Feasting

Consider your food and drinks as an element of the wedding entertainment too. Delight your guests with your wedding breakfast choices. Think lighter choices, like grilled chicken or fish, for your meal in the summer months with delicious risottos for vegetarians and vegans. Enjoy fresh pizzas alfresco in the Mythe Barn Courtyard as the sun sets in the evening and in between how about an ice-cream trailer or a gin bar to entertain guests?

In the winter, opt for a hearty main course, like roast beef or chicken and ham or vegetable pie. Follow up with a rich, warm dessert like sticky toffee pudding or a fruit crumble with custard. In the evening, treat guests to a hot chocolate station – with the option to add rum or baileys, whipped cream and marshmallows.
 

Special Touches

Often, it’s the smallest details that make all the difference. So, when planning your wedding, imagine being a guest and think about those little extras that could make the day even more spectacular.

Some ideas for your barn wedding reception include providing things your guests might need on the day. You could offer a basket of cosy blankets for guests to help themselves to as the night draws in or maybe a bucket of white brollies for passing showers! If you’re expecting hot weather, provide fans and plenty of cold drinks to keep guests cool.

In the evening, put out a box of flip-flops for anyone who wants to take their shoes off and dance the night away. How about an emergency kit in the bathrooms, with hairspray, lip balm, tissues and plasters? All of the extra details add up to creating the best wedding reception ever!

Think of your wedding reception as a fabulous party, make it reflect you both as a couple and individually and you’ll be set to have the wedding day of your dreams.