fun reception ideas instead of a dance

miss*music

We're planning on a noontime wedding (9/10/11 at 12:00  hee hee) with a baked potato bar to follow. Neither one of us really wants to have a dance since it will mostly be my family-not too many others. Since the wedding will be about 3 hours away from where we live we decided against the dance too so people can head home early if they want to.

Because of these reasons we're not planning on having a cocktail hour-maybe just some champagne for toasting. I've been racking my brain for a fun activity to do to as a group to help celebrate. I'd love to do something like go bowling-goofy, I know but we have a BLAST when we go for birthday parties and such. However, I'm not sure that there IS an alley where we'll be having the festivities. I checked in a local phone book and couldn't find any listings.

I'm really at a loss as to what to do. I want to show everyone how much I appreciate them travelling to celebrate with us. I don't want to be like, "Hey thanks for driving 3 hours to get up here to see us. Here's a tater for your troubles! Buh-bye".

Is anyone else not having a dance and planning something else? Or what would you think if this were a wedding you were attending? ANY suggestions are welcome!

miss_music_america

twilight.rose

What you're planning sounds basically fine to me. Though I would plan to have a slightly more substantial meal than just baked potatoes. You're having your wedding right at lunchtime, so your guests will probably be starving after the ceremony.

You don't need to have dancing, or other activities, to entertain your guests. Providing a meal and allowing them to mingle, etc. is perfectly fine. Your guests are adults and don't need party games to know you appreciate their support/attendance. The last wedding I attended without dancing had some soft jazz playing as background music throughout the reception, and it was lovely.

miss*music

Thanks girls. I actually had thought of adding a carving station too but the hotel provides them for larger gatherings than we're planning. I'm looking into alternative meal options also. I'm anticipating my family staying overnight to attend the rehersal the night before so they shouldn't have to travel that morning but I do like the idea of just hanging out. In fact, my fiancee said that a family hang out would be right up their alley so maybe I'll quit stressing and go with that!