Everyone loves a surprise—especially when you include a surprise into plans for your big day.  Suddenly, your big day becomes bigger (or at least your guests’ eyes do when they see your surprise!) and different. As an added benefit, you can customize your wedding day surprise to something entirely you.

So without further ado, here are a list of fun wedding reception surprise ideas that you can customize into an amazement that fits your personality and your big day:

1. Surprise them at the door with a fun mural, backdrop, or drawing
2. Have the happy couple arrive in an unusual vehicle (i.e. in an old car, in a carriage, etc.)
3. Host a beer (this is Milwaukee, after all!) or wine tasting
4. Serve a surprise dish
5. Schedule an appearance by a celebrity impersonator
6. Have an unexpected friend or family (that you didn’t expect) appear on the dance floor (or on a video call!)
7. Break out a fun (well-practiced) dance routine by the bride and groom (or father-daughter or mother-son dance)
8. Have a favorite sports mascot crash the party
9. Include surprise entertainers in the night that reflect your heritage
10. Make your awesome dessert part of your décor (i.e. donut wall, interactive dessert food station)
11. Have one of the newlyweds appear unexpectedly during the reception (coordinate the appearance with the DJ or band)
12. Add sparklers or fireworks to the night’s festivities (ask your venue about limitations first!)
13. Give your guests dinner and a surprise show (hire entertainers to make it happen!)
14. Make a (cool!) wardrobe statement with an unusual dress or dress change
15. Turn your reception into a trivia night
16. Confetti drop (outside or on the dance floor-ask your venue to ensure it is allowed)
17. Make a statement with décor in a big way
18. Give your guests unexpected wedding favors
19. Host a (surprise) game show
20. Play dance floor games
21. Tell your guests thank you with a unique sign or message (i.e. in fortune cookies, with elegant cards set up with each word, etc.)