Making Reception Unique

kmvalentine

Does anyone have suggestions on making our reception unique? 

We are having about 350 guests, indoors, buffet style dinner.  It's in June.  We are having a sundae bar instead of cake and there will be an old-time photo booth.  We'll also have dancing.  Our wedding will be elegant western--all the guys are wearing western tuxes with boots and hats, several western decor items, etc.  It will be from 6 p.m. to midnight. 

I want to do something that people will remember like a fun game, but not something lame that people will dread doing.  Does anyone have suggestions?

trix1223

Once you try too hard to make your reception "unique" it can come off as forced and make people uncomfortable.

Your wedding WILL be unique, because it's the only time you and your FI will get married.  You'll have your own WP, and your own style. 

I wouldn't at all try to find a game to play to make it "unique".  That doesn't really, IMO, jibe with your idea of elegant.  Besides, finding a "game" that will involve 350 people sounds impossible.

People don't go to weddings for games or other activities.  Most, like me, go to see the wedding, and then chat and mingle with friends and family that they haven't seen in some time.  It's fun to catch up, to eat, drink, and dance.

Save the games and activities for your shower.  They're much more appropriate there, if you feel that you must have entertainment.

Your guests will have a wonderful time if you provide good food, good drinks, good music for dancing, and a radiant bride and beaming groom who actually take time to visit and spend time with their guests.

And the fact that it's yours makes it unique.  Don't try to force something to make it unique.

BostonBride919

Just think of the things you and your FI love, and incorporate them into the details such as table #'s or names, place cards, escort cards, decor, music, etc. The details are the things that will make your wedding feel special & unique and more like "you". Our guests really noticed the small things!!

megk8oz

Unless you're having like a super-casual backyard picnic reception with like lawn bowling or horse shoes, people do not enjoy playing games at a wedding. Trust me, your guests are adults and are more than capable of entertaining themselves.

Boston Bride and Trix both make a lot of sense.

If you decide to put more into the small details, just try to avoid getting too "theme-y" with everything ... the line between "clever and unique" and "6 year old's birthday party" is very thin.

CA2MT4EveR

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_reception-ideas_making-reception-unique?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:5Discussion:9ac8762d-8237-465e-8c59-2007b8407eccPost:1686eb38-7b0f-44e5-b117-6a41a5b8e64c">Re: Making Reception Unique</a>:
[QUOTE]Unless you're having like a super-casual backyard picnic reception with like lawn bowling or horse shoes, people do not enjoy playing games at a wedding. Trust me, your guests are adults and are more than capable of entertaining themselves. Boston Bride and Trix both make a lot of sense. If you decide to put more into the small details, just try to avoid getting too "theme-y" with everything ... <strong>the line between "clever and unique" and "6 year old's birthday party" is very thin.</strong>
Posted by megk8oz[/QUOTE]


Agreed!!!  you don't want to get too crazy cowboy themed

aerinpegadrak

u⋅nique

–adjective

1.	existing as the only one or as the sole example; single; solitary in type or characteristics: a unique copy of an ancient manuscript.

2.	having no like or equal; unparalleled; incomparable: Bach was unique in his handling of counterpoint.

3.	limited in occurrence to a given class, situation, or area: a species unique to Australia.

4.	limited to a single outcome or result; without alternative possibilities: Certain types of problems have unique solutions.

5.	not typical; unusual: She has a very unique smile.

–noun

6.	the embodiment of unique characteristics; the only specimen of a given kind: The unique is also the improbable.

aerinpegadrak

Bah, the formatting got all weird.  Point is, unique ideas can't come from something someone else has already done, because it is then no longer unique, by definition.  Just focus on details that make it yours.  If you're trying to shoehorn things that are different but not you, it's just not going to work.

The ingredients of a fun reception are good music, good booze, and a relaxed atmosphere.  Provide those, and people will have fun.

skippylouwho

If I were at a wedding reception and they started games I would be congratulating the couple, thanking them for the lovely time we had and hitting the exit.

SimplyIndulgent

How about a raffle of some kind?

Catwoman708

What you have described is already unique and fun.  You're having a meal, a fun dessert bar, music, dancing, photo booth, and most of the guests will know some of the other guests there. 

The guests eating, drinking, dancing, listening to music, and socializing with other friends and family IS the entertainment.  No need to add additional games, or pack too much activity into a few short hours.  The time will fly by and be over before you know it, so go for quality over quantity when it comes to activities, and it will be more enjoyable, seem more well planned, and less chaotic or rushed.   

Everyone seems so intent, almost rabid, to make their wedding "unique".  So much so, that it's become overdone.  The most unique thing you could do, is to not try to call your wedding unique.  So just relax and enjoy the wedding that is what you want, without it turning into a competition.

CA2MT4EveR

a raffle?!

akhensley81

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_reception-ideas_making-reception-unique?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:5Discussion:9ac8762d-8237-465e-8c59-2007b8407eccPost:08e12d0a-8ff3-4218-bf85-1e5883ae78f4">Re: Making Reception Unique</a>:
[QUOTE]a raffle?!
Posted by CA2MT4EveR[/QUOTE]

I was thinking the same thing.... raffle what?? I'm curious. Do tell!

Lasairiona

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_reception-ideas_making-reception-unique?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:5Discussion:9ac8762d-8237-465e-8c59-2007b8407eccPost:b11ada74-2ed5-48db-af95-c9b09ec17656">Re: Making Reception Unique</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Making Reception Unique : I was thinking the same thing.... raffle what?? I'm curious. Do tell!
Posted by akhensley81[/QUOTE]
In some areas, it's supposedly common and expected to raffle the bouquet and garter instead of tossing them. Can't say that I agree with the idea or know of anyone else who thinks it's a good idea either.

OP: What you have listed is unique on its own. You don't need games and people don't like them at a wedding. Simply allowing guests to relax and socialize seems to be a unique concept since no one actually thinks of that when they want a billion other activities going on and don't trust their adult guests (who probably get out more than the couple does) to be able to socialize without any help.

CaptiolBride

I would pass on the games... and take a look at amberandjeff.com/ourwedding/bio.html they had a huge themed wedding.

CA2MT4EveR

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_reception-ideas_making-reception-unique?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:5Discussion:9ac8762d-8237-465e-8c59-2007b8407eccPost:d0d42b61-98a2-4ba7-b9ca-893897d8f381">Re: Making Reception Unique</a>:
[QUOTE]<strong>You could do something with the centerpieces, ie. the youngest person at each table takes the centerpiece home.</strong> You could also do some sort of <strong>game to do with the bride and groom kissing</strong> - ie. instead of just clanging glasses, there is a game where the you have a bowl of hersheys kisses, all one color except a few, and the person needs to pull out a different colored one for you to kiss.  Good luck, HTH! 
Posted by homediva[/QUOTE]

Please do not do this. Either of them. No one wants your centerpiece cluttering their house, and no one wants to play games to make you kiss