Wonderful Winter Wedding Entertainment Ideas

While many couples may opt to have their wedding day in the hotter summer months, winter weddings hold a certain magic. Think candles, fairy lights and even festive décor and a Christmas magician for a real winter wonderland. Your December (or early January) wedding will be all about deep and dark tones, sparkles, faux fur and magical entertainment.

If you’re looking for winter wedding entertainment that wows and warms up your wedding crowd, keep reading!

Entertain Guests with Pre-Wedding Entertainment

Set the tone before your ceremony even begins with entertainment when your guests arrive. Think warm welcome drinks, a string trio playing festive favourites, or a magician working his way through the crowd. It’s a lovely way to get everyone smiling and feeling part of the celebration from the very start.

Cocktail Hour

Cocktail hour is the perfect moment for cosy vibes and interactive fun. Seasonal drinks like mulled wine, spiced gin cocktails or deluxe hot chocolates set the tone, while a jazz band or acoustic singer keeps things relaxed.

For something that is guaranteed to delight all ages, invite a wedding magician to circulate during cocktail hour. Their mix-and-mingle magic adds warmth, laughter and those “how did they DO that?!” reactions that guests will talk about all night.

A winter photobooth with faux fur wraps, sparkling props and a snowy backdrop completes that festive feel.

Winter Wedding Ceremony Entertainment

Make your ceremony feel truly enchanting with beautiful live music, consider a live performance of soft winter harmonies or a harpist or acoustic guitarist. A lantern-lit aisle adds a magical glow.

If you’d like something unique before or after your vows, a magician can perform subtle magic as guests settle in or during the signing of the register – keeping the atmosphere warm, romantic and full of wonder.

Unique Ceremony Ideas

To add a special touch that feels personal and wintery, a personalised wedding magazine or winter themed newspaper is a great time-filler for guests to read while sitting waiting for the ceremony to start. You could even include a short storytelling segment or festive-inspired reading. 

Evening Entertainment

As the evening unfolds, it’s time to raise the energy. A live wedding band, roaming saxophonist or DJ with subtle festive mixes keeps the dancefloor buzzing. For added atmosphere, indoor sparklers or even a snow machine could work well for your first dance.

A magician is fantastic wedding entertainment for evening receptions too – especially for entertaining tables between courses, drawing together groups who haven’t yet mingled, and keeping that magical winter feeling alive all night long.

Reception Activities

Wedding reception activities add personality and keep guests entertained during quieter moments. A casino table, festive trivia, DIY bauble decorating or a cosy marshmallow-toasting station are always crowd-pleasers.

Magic fits beautifully here too, especially if you’re having a Christmas wedding – whether that’s a close-up magician mingling around tables or a showstopping mini performance later in the evening.

Food and Beverage Entertainment

A gorgeous table of food and drink will add another aspect of warmth to your winter wedding – a mulled wine bar, whisky tasting table or cheese selection. A flair bartender performing winter-themed cocktail tricks also adds a fun, festive flourish.

Winter Treats

Spoil your guests with treats that feel cosy and seasonal. Warm mince pies, churros with chocolate sauce, spiced doughnuts and festive cupcakes always go down well! A hot chocolate bar or champagne wall becomes an attraction in itself.

Pair that with a roaming magician nearby and you’ve got a wonderful food-meets-entertainment festive atmosphere.

Entertain Wedding Guests

Give guests plenty to enjoy outside the dance floor. Some unique wedding entertainment ideas include caricaturists, photobooths and a video guestbook (guests leave special messages for the couple), which all create a lovely, fun and relaxed atmosphere.

A wedding magician, though, is often the star of guest entertainment – because they draw in people of all ages, create shared moments, and get even the shyest guests talking and laughing.

Interactive Activities

If you’re looking for engaging and fun winter wedding entertainment ideas, interactive options are perfect. A sparkler send-off, Polaroid guestbook, festive singalongs or a live artist painting the room all offer unforgettable memories.

A magician offering a short stand-up performance or interactive magic moment gives everyone a shared experience – and adds one last burst of wonder to your winter celebration.

Best Wedding Entertainment Ideas

Hire professional magician Chris Whitelock 

There are few things more entertaining than magic. It’s a skill that really gets the mind working, and your wedding guests will be determined to figure out the secret behind the trick, making for a buzzing atmosphere.

In terms of when you’d like the magic to happen – Chris can wander around performing tricks at your wedding breakfast or drinks reception, entertain after dinner or at any other point where you expect there to be lulls. A fascinating magic performance is sure to keep the energy up at your winter wedding! And if you’d like, Chris can also coordinate proceedings and take on master of ceremonies duties.

“Chris performed at our wedding at Bolton Castle, thoroughly entertained us and our guests of all ages with some mind blowing tricks! Thanks again, I would highly recommend it!”

• Daniel Carnegie

To get more insight into what you can expect from CW Magic, check out our gallery and read testimonials from happy wedding clients.

Then when you’re ready to save your date, book a call with Chris and he’ll be happy to discuss everything from wedding venues to entertainment.