Reception ideas for introverts that don't drink or dance

Knottie1447461398

Hey all,

I'm probably going to get a lot of hate for this post, but I'm really in need of some ideas for our wedding reception. We're having a dry reception with no dancing early in the afternoon, and plan to serve brunch to our guests (thinking along the lines of a waffle bar, omelettes, coffee and juice, that sort of thing).

We're only having around 55 guests, but I'm concerned that some people won't get our "hey, let's get our families together and have cake" vibe and expect a wild and crazy party. Or, at the very least, need to be entertained in one way or another. 

I've always hated weddings...and duck out of the reception as soon as possible...so is there anything I can plan to make things more fun? My fiance and I play a lot of video games, so I was thinking we could hook up something to a projector (DDR/Rock Band, or even Super Smash Bros. for the Wii U) to serve as entertainment, but I've never been a "party" kind of person so I suck at knowing what's fun. I really, really don't want to cave on our no dancing/no alcohol policy. 

Are any other brides in my shoes? I've got pretty overwhelming anxiety, so I'm cutting out a lot from my wedding to keep the stress down, but this is one thing I unfortunately can't cut.

ShesSoCold

Knottie1447461398 said:

Hey all,

I'm probably going to get a lot of hate for this post, but I'm really in need of some ideas for our wedding reception. We're having a dry reception with no dancing early in the afternoon, and plan to serve brunch to our guests (thinking along the lines of a waffle bar, omelettes, coffee and juice, that sort of thing).

We're only having around 55 guests, but I'm concerned that some people won't get our "hey, let's get our families together and have cake" vibe and expect a wild and crazy party. Or, at the very least, need to be entertained in one way or another. 

I've always hated weddings...and duck out of the reception as soon as possible...so is there anything I can plan to make things more fun? My fiance and I play a lot of video games, so I was thinking we could hook up something to a projector (DDR/Rock Band, or even Super Smash Bros. for the Wii U) to serve as entertainment, but I've never been a "party" kind of person so I suck at knowing what's fun. I really, really don't want to cave on our no dancing/no alcohol policy. 

Are any other brides in my shoes? I've got pretty overwhelming anxiety, so I'm cutting out a lot from my wedding to keep the stress down, but this is one thing I unfortunately can't cut.

I'm pretty similar and H and I did not have a DJ or dance floor at our wedding. We served our meal cocktail style so the whole reception felt like a 3-4 hour cocktail party instead of a sit-down meal, but we still had enough tables and chairs for everyone. I think as long as people have a place to sit and food to eat, you don't need to add the extra fluff to try to get people to have fun. Just let them talk to each other.

lyndausvi

Your wedding sounds lovely (fwiw - I'm a drinking, partier type-girl).

 I do not think you need entertainment.     I wouldn't expect it to last long either.  Which if totally fine.

OliveOilsMom

I think you are overthinking things.  The only thing you need to have for a fun party is good food, good drinks (can be non-alcoholic), and good conversation.  So I would just try to put together good groups of people at each table.  No need for games of any kind.  Your reception idea, as is, sounds fun and delicious! Waffle?  Yes, please!

Maggie0829

You don't need to provide anything for entertainment.  Since you are having a late morning/early afternoon wedding, that right there should let guests know that you aren't going for an all out party vibe.  Just have plenty of food and chairs/tables for everyone and you should be fine.  Your reception probably won't last as long as a typical reception with dancing and alcohol, but it seems like you are okay with that.

thisismynickname2

Maggie0829 said:

You don't need to provide anything for entertainment.  Since you are having a late morning/early afternoon wedding, that right there should let guests know that you aren't going for an all out party vibe.  Just have plenty of food and chairs/tables for everyone and you should be fine.  Your reception probably won't last as long as a typical reception with dancing and alcohol, but it seems like you are okay with that.

Agree with this. Your wedding sounds like a more typical afternoon gathering in my crowd of friends. All people need to have fun is good company!

I will say that one of my friends, in addition to her drinking/dancing, brought in a huge Jenga set and some other popular games. Her venue had pool tables. So people did have other stuff to do if they didn't want to dance and it seemed to go over well. No harm in adding that stuff if you can and want to! 

geebee908

This sounds lovely; I'm a fan of brunch. All a good party needs is good food and drink and good company with plenty of seating for having good conversation. I think you'll get that covered.

STARMOON44

No video games!

holyguacamole79

@addiecake, this is kind of what you had, right?

princessleia22

I think you are okay without adding a bunch of games or activities to it.  But, don't plan on it lasting 6 hours either.  My reception was mid-afternoon.  We had drinking and dancing.  But, we also had only 25 people.  A few people danced, but mostly people just talked and enjoyed each others company.  They didn't need any added activities.  My reception was only 1.5 hours (lunch was before ceremony with apps at reception), but we could have easily gone longer without anyone getting bored.

hellohkb

Board games and video games are fun and a great idea. We wanted board games for our more introverted guests who aren't interested in drinking and dancing (a large portion of our guests fall into this category) I already have so much to transport and I think all the food and good conversation will be enough, though. I may wind up bringing a FEW games that have a quick and easy cleanup (Uno, etc.) but not totally sure. You could definitely do that, but it's not necessary.

AddieCake

We had a morning ceremony with lunch reception and no dancing, just a string trio for music. Nobody was bored, and nobody needed games to keep entertained. They ate, mingled, and went on with their day, exactly as we wanted. 

I would think it was very odd to have video games and board games at a wedding reception. I didn't get dressed up to go out and sit around playing or watching people play Guitar Hero, you know? I can do that at home. 

Don't worry about trying to provide entertainment.

CMGragain

If there is one thing I hate at a wedding it is loud music.  DH is hard of hearing.  I enjoy conversation with friends and relatives, or meeting new people.  You can't do that with blaring loud music at a dance floor.
I think video games are very odd.
My daughter had a brunch reception, and it was lovely.  Don't complicate your plans.

MyNameIsNot

STARMOON44 said:

No video games!

This.

It's totally fine to skip alcohol and dancing. You don't need to entertain people. The thing that makes a wedding fun is getting to socialize with friends and family. Things like video games will entertain 2-4 people, but it really just isolates those few people away from the rest of the guests. 

missfrodo

OP, I wanted to add my own experience--my adult brother has Asperger's syndrome, and he has trouble handling almost any novel social situation.  At my wedding, he sat fine through the ceremony, then brought out his Nintendo DS and played at the table, then in a corner, during the reception.  If someone is incapable of surviving your wedding without assistance, they will probably come prepared like he did.  I think a brunch wedding as you outlined it sounds lovely.

Jen4948

I think your wedding sounds fine just as you have it, and as long as there is plenty of good food, drink, and conversation, no games or other planned entertainment should be necessary.

Knottie1437445399

My wedding was this past Saturday. When discussing ideas for the reception, hubby and I decided we didn't want a DJ (why shout to be heard?) Or alcohol (we don't drink and 95%of out guests don't either). There were a few family members that turned up their noses at this but they got over it. I had several guests comment they enjoyed the laid back style. They mingled and talked amongst themselves. I had high school friends talking to college friends, my family talking to his family, etc. I have no regrets not doing the big, all out reception. (We served soups and sandwiches.). Don't over think. This is your day, do what you want!

kkcc2015

We didn't want dancing, and I knew we would have several family members who only clustered together and talked amongst themselves. We had board games and card games at the tables, and then where the dancing would typically be we had giant jenga, cornhole and giant checkers. We did have music on an iPod in the background to keep away from awkward silences, but everyone managed to be entertained. There's nothing wrong with your reception being laid back as long as you're hosting your guests appropriately.