Reception Ideas??? Receptions for introverts (No dancing)

SomethingBeautiful08

Me and my FH have been engaged about two weeks now, but with a hopefully Oct / Nov 2012 wedding, I know we don't have time to waste.  Still we are struggling to figure out what we want for a wedding reception structure.

We went to a wedding last summer and the most awkward part of it for him was the dancing and I wouldn't inflict that expectation on him for our wedding... expecially with our short time frame.  We want to have fun at our reception... we want to get around and greet are guest in a way that makes sense and isn't overwhelming.  Any idea on how to structure a reception that is fun, easy to get around to guests and doesn't involve dancing?

monkeysip

I think you may like something like the idea posted in this thread on the Etiquette board

http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_reception-plan

Basically, the set up is "cocktail" style, with food stations and lots of heavy hors deuovres.  

There are bar chairs and tables for people to sit at, and some lounge-like furniture as well.  This is supposed to help encourage people to get up, walk around, go to different stations, sit in different places, etc.

I think if you have good music and good food, you don't need dancing.  You might want to have a little area for people to dance if they want to (assuming this is an evening reception).  You could also consider a brunch or lunch reception because people don't usually dance quite as much at those.

Either way, you don't have to dance.  People might expect ONE dance out of youguys (the traditional B&G first dance), but other than that, you can just mingle and eat.  No big deal.

Summer2011Bride

I agree with the suggestions of both PPs. Weddings don't HAVE to include dancing.

Having said that, many people enjoy it. Even if you had dancing, your H wouldn't have to if he didn't want to. He could mingle and chat with people and have a good time. I guess I just don't see banning something totally because one person doesn't like it. I hate beer but still made it available to my guests because many people DO like it. Just my 0.02. LIke I said, it's OK to have no dancing, but I would definitely be disappointed if I went to a wedding without it. That's the best part for me and most of the people I know.

Kristin789

We didn't have dancing.  Just nice soft jazz playing in the background, and after the meal, we visited with people, did the cake cutting and serving and eating, and so on.  People said it was very classy and very different from the usual Saturday night dinner-dance-get-drunk-and-have-a -fight-break-out weddings they'd been to before.

Avion22

I agree with Summer2011Bride.  If your friends like dancing, then maybe you can keep that in your reception for your guests.  The groom doesn't have to dance to every single song -- maybe your first dance and a slow song or two would be nice, but he can use the time that other people are dancing to go around and greet people, thank them for coming, etc.

If you don't want any dancing at all, then a cocktail reception would be nice too.

mizutamababy

We had a 2 hour dinner reception and then booked a double decker bus to take guests who were still up to participating on a Las Vegas strip tour for photos and fun for another 2 hours since we (nor our families) are dancers.  It went over really well!  But we only had about 20 guests...  So taking your guests somewhere may not work if you have a big wedding party.

How about doing some cute wedding games?  We had planned on doing a garter relay, a tying the knot game, and one or two others but ended up not doing them.  Still they were on the fun side rather than the cheesy side, so I think had we done them they would have been a big hit.

tldh

The B&G aren't required to dance at their reception.  At all.  If your FI doesn't like it, then don't dance.  However, if you have family and friends who do enjoy dancing, I would seriously consider having this option for them.

amyb140

Netiher of us are into dancing either, and we absolutely didn't want the DJ introduction, spotlight dances, etc.

We had a brunch reception after our 10:30 ceremony - it was perfect.  People didn't expect dancing early in the day.  We just had background music playing and people ate and drank and mingled, just like at a normal party.  We did have alcohol, and besides the ballroom where brunch was served, we had an outdoor terrace where people could relax and have cocktails too.

NinaSchwab

Woah, no dancing?! Just because you don't like dancing does not mean your guests wont! Dancing at a wedding is like peanut butter and jelly! With regards to your time frame, I think 7 or 8 months is totally doable!! A little rushed, but I know people who have planned beautiful weddings in half that time.