reception stuffs

sbily2010

I don't have a huge family and as a result havn't been to many weddings. my bff (one of my two moh's) has a huge family and i swear is always at someone's wedding insists (sp i can't spell to save my life) we have a dollar dance and claims it's tons of fun. idk how i feel about that yet. But anyone have fun activities that have taken place at weddings that you've been too?

futuremrsdawes

you will get a lot of different responses on here regarding dollar dances - honestly I find them tacky.  However, if they are done in your family and you want to do it then you can - however since you don't know how you feel about the idea of it and it's your friends family that have done them not your own, I would stay away from them. As far as "activities" go, as long as people have good food, something to drink (depending your circle of friends and family you can opt for alcohol or no-alcohol, but if you have people who like alcohol opt for it imo), and music then you should be good.  Forced social activities can be strange and awkward - giving people good food, good drink, some music and a chance to talk/mingle is enough.

trix1223

Dollar Dance: I think they're awful. IMO, weddings should NOT be fundraisers. Your guests have already bought you a gift, possibly traveled, bought attire, maybe taken a day off of work. To ask them to pony up MORE money: even if it's just a dollar is money grubbing at its finest. As for other "activities": ditto pp. Your guests are, presumably, adults who will enjoy chatting with F&F, visiting, socializing, mingling, dining, drinking, and dancing. That's plenty. Please don't make them play party games: particularly trivia type games about the bride and groom or other forced ice-breakers. Unless you're having a very casual outdoor BBQ type reception that would lend itself to horseshoes and volleyball, etc. don't add "fun activities". If I were at a wedding and fun activities were started, I'd likely be gathering my things and making my exit.

mbcdefg

I like weddings where there is good food, free drinks, and a dessert buffet is a nice bonus. Stations are cool for the cocktail hour if you can do them (meat carving stations, cooked-to-order pasta stations, Asian wok stations), and I like interesting passed hors d'oeuvres (mini burgers, shot glasses of soup, etc.). I dislike it when the music is so loud that I can't hear myself think, and where I feel like I'm in a dance club with all the booty-shaking music. I also don't like cheesy DJs who talk all the time and who try to get everyone to do corny group dances or hand out props and inflatable instruments. I don't like multiple, long speeches; and I hate sitting through multiple "special dances" (couple's first dance and the parent dances are fine). The only "activity" I've seen at a wedding has been a photobooth, and I liked that a lot. I would not like to participate in games, sing-a-longs, kissing games, trivia, karaoke or scavanger hunts. I would be really disgusted by a dollar dance (they are not common in my area). If you offer the best food and drinks you can afford, and get some decent entertainment that isn't ridiculously loud, and make an effort to thank all your guests for coming, you will be fine  

chryse

Not doing a Dollar Dance is not a social faux pass. Doing a Dollar Dance in a social circle where it's not the usual is a faux pas. You can't go wrong NOT doing it.The only fun activities scheduled for a reception should be for those guests who are 10 and under only. Everyone else can take care of themselves as long as you provide good food, good drink and a place to sit at a table. I suppose you could consider a photo booth, candy bar or candid photo hunt activities as well, but they are optional.