The Best Irish Wedding Entertainment Ideas for 2026
Wedding Entertainment Ideas
There are so many wedding entertainment ideas out there these days that it can be hard to know where to start. Whether you’re planning a large hotel wedding, an intimate castle celebration, or a relaxed marquee affair, having great entertainment can turn a good wedding into an unforgettable one.
My name is Valda, and I’m the founder of takeNplace weddings , an Irish wedding QR code company. I love working in the wedding industry, helping brides and grooms create their perfect day. Over the past few years, I’ve been lucky enough to meet some incredible wedding suppliers, and I wanted to share my personal favourites with you.
One thing every couple wants is to make sure their guests are entertained and having a great time — especially during those gaps between the ceremony and the meal, or while the bridal party are off getting photos taken. The good news? Irish wedding entertainment has come a long way, and 2026 is shaping up to be the most creative year yet.
Here’s my hand-picked guide to the best wedding entertainment ideas in Ireland for 2026.Interactive & Tech-Forward Entertainment
These are the options that get every generation involved — from the tech-savvy younger guests to the older relatives who just want a bit of fun.
iSpy with Wedding QR Codes — takenplace weddings
This is our own creation and I might be biased, but couples absolutely love it! Our iSpy Wedding QR Code cards give every guest a fun photo challenge — think “snap a photo of the best dressed guest” or “capture the first dance.” Guests simply scan the QR code with their phone camera, take a photo, and it instantly appears on a live slideshow displayed on a screen at your venue.
It’s genuinely one of the best icebreakers we’ve seen at weddings. Guests get chatting, laughing, and competing to get the best shots. Plus, you end up with hundreds of candid photos from every angle of your day — moments your photographer might miss.
Why couples love it in 2026: It replaces the old disposable cameras, works with any smartphone, and creates a real buzz in the room. Check out what real couples say on our reviews page.
New for 2026: We also offer Wedding QR Code Bingo — a twist on the classic game that ties into your photo sharing. And if you want something completely unique, our bespoke wedding QR code design service lets you match your cards perfectly to your wedding theme.
Not sure how it all works? Read our guide on how to make a QR code for wedding pictures or visit our shop to browse all designs.
Top tip : Place a QR code card at every table setting and have a screen set up near the bar or in the lobby. You’ll be amazed at how quickly guests get involved!
A vintage photo booth brings old-school charm with a modern twist. Guests step into a beautifully styled booth, strike a pose, and walk away with instant printed photos — complete with custom frames and your names and wedding date. It’s a brilliant way to capture candid moments and gives guests a fun keepsake to take home.
DJC Events offer a gorgeous vintage-style photo booth alongside their selfie mirrors and 360 booths, so you can mix and match depending on your venue and budget. The props and backdrops are always a hit, and the guest book option — where guests stick in a copy of their photo and leave a message — is something you’ll treasure for years.
Covers: Cork, Tipperary, Kilkenny, Waterford, Clare, and Kerry.
Magic Selfie Mirror & 360 Mirror
If you want to get your guests posing, laughing, and making memories, a magic selfie mirror or 360 video booth is a must. DJC Events provide some of the best photo entertainment in Munster.
The magic selfie mirror is a full-length interactive mirror that takes photos with fun animations and prints them on the spot. The 360 mirror films guests from every angle in slow motion — perfect for those dramatic veil tosses or group dance moves that look incredible when shared on social media.
Covers: Cork, Tipperary, Kilkenny, Waterford, Clare, and Kerry.
Wedding QR Code Photo Sharing (For Every Budget)
Not every couple needs a full entertainment package — sometimes you just want an easy way for guests to share their photos. That’s exactly what our wedding QR code cards do. Guests scan, snap, and share — and you get a beautiful gallery of every moment.
We offer options from our affordable DIY digital template (print your own at home) right up to our premium printed designs. If you’re also looking for a creative way to share your gift registry or honeymoon fund, check out our blog post on wedding gift QR codes.
Music & Performance
No Irish wedding is complete without great music. Here are some of the best options for 2026.
Wedding DJ
A great DJ can make or break your evening reception. BMG Sound are one of the most popular wedding DJs in the south of Ireland, and for good reason — they read the room brilliantly and keep the dance floor packed.
BMG Sound also work with us here at takenplace weddings to set up live screen slideshows at weddings, so your guests’ photos appear in real-time on the big screen while they dance. It’s a brilliant combination.
Covers: Cork, Limerick, Waterford, and Kerry.
Wedding Singers
Kayla McDonagh
Kayla McDonagh
Fiona Kennedy
Fiona Kennedy
Wedding Band — The Experts
The Experts are a high-energy wedding band that get every age group up on the floor. If you want a live band that sounds as polished as the original artists, these are your people.
Singing Waiters — Singing Waiters Ireland
This is one of the biggest trends for 2026 — and for good reason. Imagine your “waiter” suddenly breaking into song mid-service. The look on your guests’ faces is priceless! Singing Waiters Ireland are the experts at this. They blend in with your venue staff before surprising everyone with a full performance. It’s a guaranteed show-stopper.
Irish Dancers — Celtic Dance Company
For something uniquely Irish, Celtic Dance Company bring professional Irish dancers to your wedding. Whether it’s a dramatic entrance, an after-dinner performance, or a surprise at the afters, Irish dancing adds an incredible energy to any celebration. Based in Dublin, Cork, and Limerick.
Wedding Sing Song — Sing Along Social
Want to get everyone singing? Sing Along Social is a crowd-participation sing-along experience — think lyrics on a big screen, a live host, and your guests belting out classics together. It’s become hugely popular for the gap between the meal and the band.
Fun & Games
These are the entertainment options that fill those in-between moments and give your guests something to do besides wait for food!
Caricature Artist — James O’Donovan
A caricature artist is a timeless wedding entertainment option. James O’Donovan is a Cork-based artist who mingles with your guests and creates hilarious, personalised sketches that double as wedding favours. Guests love watching him work and taking home a unique keepsake.
Magician — Gerard Kearney
Close-up magic during the drinks reception is pure gold. Gerard Kearney is a Cork-based magician who performs table-to-table, drawing crowds and leaving guests baffled. It’s one of the best ways to fill the gap between the ceremony and the meal.
Wedding Casino — Brennan Events
A pop-up casino is a fantastic way to bring a bit of Vegas to your Irish wedding. Brennan Events provide full casino setups with blackjack, roulette, and poker tables — all with fun money, so there’s no real gambling involved. It’s a great talking point and gets guests mixing.
Wedding Game Hire
Giant Jenga, Connect 4, ring toss, and more — lawn games and oversized party games are hugely popular for outdoor drinks receptions or marquee weddings. Game Hire Ireland have a brilliant selection.
Unique Touches
These are the entertainment ideas that make your wedding truly different — the ones guests will be talking about for years.
The Wedding Illustrator — Linda Byrne
How gorgeous would it be to have an artist painting your wedding in real-time? Linda Byrne — The Wedding Illustrator does exactly that. Based in County Meath, she offers “Draw My VIPs” (a portrait of the couple) and “Draw My Guests” packages. The finished artwork makes for an incredible keepsake.
Wedding Cocktails — Hire A Mixologist
A cocktail bar or mobile mixologist adds real wow factor to your drinks reception. Hire A Barman provide professional bartenders who create bespoke cocktails, often themed to match your wedding colours or story. Think personalised “his & hers” cocktails served from a stylish mobile bar.
Neon Signs & Wedding Styling — Polka Dot Events
Neon signs have been trending for a few years now, and they’re not going anywhere in 2026. Polka Dot Events offer beautiful neon sign hire along with full wedding styling services. A custom neon sign behind the top table or over the dance floor adds instant atmosphere.
Silent Disco
A silent disco is one of the most fun late-night entertainment options you can have. Everyone wears wireless headphones and chooses between different music channels — so you’ll see half the room dancing to pop while the other half are moshing to rock! Silent Disco Ireland are the go-to provider. It’s also a great option if your venue has noise restrictions.
Wedding Fireworks — Rocket Pyrotechnics
If you want a dramatic finale to your wedding day, fireworks are the way to do it. Rocket Pyrotechnics create stunning displays tailored to your venue and budget. Picture you and your guests stepping outside for a surprise fireworks show — it’s a truly magical moment.
Children’s Entertainment
Wedding Nanny — Auntie Katie
If you have little ones at your wedding (or your guests do), a professional wedding nanny or children’s entertainer is worth their weight in gold. Auntie Katie specialises in keeping kids entertained at weddings so parents can relax and enjoy the day. From arts and crafts to games and stories, she keeps the little ones happy for hours.
Something a Little Different
Wedding Speech Writing — Instanza
Not technically “entertainment,” but a great wedding speech is entertainment! If the best man or father of the bride is dreading the speech, Instanza offer a professional speech-writing service. They work with you to craft something personal, funny, and memorable — so you can deliver it with confidence.
How to Choose Your Wedding Entertainment
With so many options, how do you decide? Here are a few tips:
- Think about the gaps in your day. The biggest lull is usually between the ceremony and the meal. This is when close-up magicians, caricature artists, and QR code photo games work best.
- Consider your venue. Outdoor venues suit lawn games and fireworks. Hotel weddings work well with selfie mirrors and casinos. Marquees are perfect for silent discos.
- Mix it up. Don’t rely on just one type of entertainment. A great combination might be QR code photo sharing during the day, a magician during drinks, a band in the evening, and a silent disco for the afters.
- Budget wisely. Some of the best entertainment doesn’t cost a fortune. Our DIY digital QR code cards start from just €59, and they’ll give your guests hours of fun.
- Book early. The best suppliers get booked up fast — especially for 2026 summer dates. If you’ve found someone you love, don’t wait.
Signing Off...
I hope this guide has given you some inspiration for your big day! All of the suppliers listed above are people I’ve met personally through working in the Irish wedding industry, and I can genuinely recommend every single one of them.
If you’d like to add takenplace wedding QR codes to your day, browse our full range here or get in touch — I’d love to help make your wedding even more memorable.
Have questions? Check out our FAQ page for answers to the most common queries about our QR code products.
Here’s to an amazing 2026 wedding season!
Valda x