The best wedding entertainment fills the quiet moments of the day and brings two families and lots of different friendship groups together. A wedding magician does that better than anything else, because the magic comes to every guest, in every part of the day: the drinks reception while you have your photos taken, between courses at the wedding breakfast, and as evening guests arrive.
In short
- The drinks reception is the moment most weddings need entertainment, because you are away having photos taken.
- A close-up magician entertains every guest, of every age, in small groups, so nobody is left standing on their own.
- Plan entertainment for each part of the day: arrival, drinks, wedding breakfast, evening party.
- Book early. Good wedding entertainers are often booked a year or more ahead for summer Saturdays.
I’ve performed at hundreds of weddings over more than 20 years, at country houses, barns, London hotels and destination weddings abroad. I’ve seen every kind of wedding entertainment, and I’ve seen which moments guests are still talking about the next morning. Here are the ideas that work, part by part through the day, and why magic belongs in almost all of them.
Why a wedding magician is the best entertainment of the day
Most wedding entertainment is something guests watch from a distance: a band on a stage, a singer in the corner, fireworks over the lawn. Close-up magic is different. It happens in your guests’ own hands, with their own rings, phones and playing cards, a few inches from their faces. That is why the reactions are so big, and why people remember it.
- It brings people together. Your guests come from different parts of your life. A magician gives a table of strangers something to share within seconds, and they spend the rest of the day talking to each other about it.
- Every guest gets their own moment. Performing for small groups means everyone sees magic up close, from grandparents to the youngest bridesmaid.
- It fills the gaps. The drinks reception, the wait between courses, the lull before the first dance: magic fits into all of them without needing a stage, a sound system or extra space.
- It suits any venue and any style of wedding. Black tie in a London hotel, a relaxed barn wedding or a garden party: the magic adapts to your day.
Entertainment for your drinks reception
This is the part of the day that most needs entertainment, and the one most couples forget about. You disappear for photos for an hour or more, and your guests are left holding a glass of fizz in a room full of people they don’t know.
Close-Up magic and mind reading
This is where a wedding magician is at their best. I move from group to group, so every guest is entertained while you’re away, and by the time you come back, your families and friends are laughing together like old friends. It’s the most popular time to book a magician, and the reason most couples hire one.
“During the drinks reception, Matt’s tricks helped break the ice and kept everyone entertained whilst the photos were being taken. Our guests were amazed and couldn’t stop talking about his performance long after he left.”
Glenn Tozer · Wedding, Sussex
Other drinks reception ideas
- Live acoustic music, such as a string quartet, harpist or acoustic guitarist, for atmosphere.
- Lawn games such as giant Jenga or croquet, for summer garden weddings.
- A caricaturist, who gives a few guests a souvenir to take home.
Entertainment for the wedding breakfast
The wait between courses can feel long, especially for guests on tables with people they don’t know. A few ideas keep the room buzzing:
- Table magic between courses. I perform at each table while plates are cleared, so every table gets its own show and nobody has to leave their seat.
- A wedding quiz or table games about the two of you.
- A singing waiter surprise, if you want a big, theatrical moment.
Entertainment for your evening reception
Evening guests often arrive while everyone else has been together all day. Magic is a brilliant way to bring them straight into the party, before the first dance and the band.
- Magic as evening guests arrive, so they feel part of the day from the moment they walk in.
- A live band or DJ for the dancing.
- A photo booth with props, perfect later in the night.
- Sparklers or fireworks for a big send-off, if your venue allows them.
- A late-night food truck, which is always a hit.
Entertainment for children at weddings
If you’re inviting children, keeping them happy keeps their parents happy too. Activity packs on the tables, a chill-out corner and a supervised play area all help. My magic is modern and made for adults, but older children will love it too, so they’re never left out when I come to their table.
“If you’re thinking about booking Matt, just book him! Matt entertained our guests (both adults and children) at our wedding and he was absolutely mind blowing incredible, not to mention super professional, friendly and approachable.”
Sonia Harfleet · Wedding, The Barn at Botley Hill
What I bring to your wedding
Not all wedding magicians are the same. Here’s what you get when you book me for your day:
- More than 20 years of experience and hundreds of weddings, from country houses and barns in Surrey and Sussex to London venues including The Shard, and destination weddings in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Malta and India.
- Modern, sophisticated magic and mind reading. No cheesy patter, no silly props: just astonishing moments that happen in your guests’ hands.
- The magician trusted by Google, HSBC and Amazon, and seen by famous faces including James Corden and Eddie Redmayne.
- Personal touches. I can build a moment around your story: your names, your wedding date, or a surprise during the speeches.
- A stress-free day. I plan the timings with you, work around your coordinator and photographer, arrive early and need nothing from you except guests.
- £10 million public liability insurance, which most wedding venues ask for.
You can see how it works on the day, real reactions and more reviews from couples on my wedding magician page. Getting married in the capital? See wedding magician London.
How to plan your wedding entertainment
- Walk through your running order and spot the gaps: arrival, photos, waiting for dinner, the turnaround before the evening.
- Check your venue’s rules on noise, space, fireworks and suppliers before you book anything.
- Book early. Popular entertainers are often booked a year or more ahead for summer Saturdays.
- Ask for reviews and video from real weddings, not just a promo reel. Here are the questions to ask a magician before hiring.
- Make sure they’re insured. Most venues ask every supplier for public liability insurance. Wedding planning sites such as Hitched have checklists to help you keep track of suppliers.
More advice from Matt
About Matt Parro
Matt is a multi-award-winning close-up magician and mind reader who has performed at hundreds of weddings over more than 20 years, at country houses, barns, London venues and destination weddings abroad. He performs across London, the UK and internationally.