On the subject of alternatives

NJgurl19

What were some that you guys did, or are planning on doing? Like I know many girls on here hate the bouquet toss, cake cutting etc. So what are some alternatives to these traditional things?

uppereastgirl

I'm not sure I understand -- alternatives to what?

jrgoogrl

What alternatives are you talking about?

NJgurl19

Sorry I added more. Thanks.

Danes983

ahh, now I understand.  To be honest I wont be having any alternatives. I figure the less weddingy stuff the more dancing time for the guests. We will be doing almost everything except the tosses

lcsa99

Instead of a bouquet toss I am going to give my bouquet to my grandmother (assuming she can make it! Cross your fingers for the 91 year-old lady, please!)

Actually plan on having it be a whole thing during the ceremony. My "bridesmaids" will give their bouquets to our mothers, his "groomsmen" will give a single flower to our sisters (we each have just one sister) and my grandmother will get my bouquet.

Never seen it done so not sure if it will work but I hope so!

(fyi, I use quotes for "bridesmaids" and "groomsmen" cause they are all kids ages 12-3!)

uppereastgirl

Instead of doing a garter toss, we did... nothing.

Instead of bridal party introductions (I hate cheesy DJ intros and wanted to keep announcements to a minimum), we just had everyone walk out together in front of us.

To be honest, most "alternatives" I've heard of are just as cheesy to me (or more corny/cheesy) than the traditional events, but don't have tradition behind them (which makes them even more cheesy to me -- at least you're throwing a bouquet to your single guests because that's what people have done at weddings for years and years and is what guests expect to see).  So I'm on team "If you don't like it, cut it altogether." 

kellybee83

I'm with uppereastgirl about cutting those things altogether.  I'm all about maximizing dance time, and have never been a fan of the bouquet and garter tosses anyway.  I feel as though those things really break up the night.  The recepetion is only four hours, and take out about a half hour or so for dinner. (Average is about 15 min per course) 
The owner of the company whose band we are using had a great idea that they will try to get everyone on the dance floor as soon as they come in the ballroom, and then ask our guests stand around the perimeter while they do quick intros.   (Although our recepetion venue won't like this because they will have a tough with taking dinner orders and wine service) Then we will start our dance, and invite everyone to join in midway. 
We will do our parent dances right before or after dinner so we won't have to break up the "party" for them.
I almost don't even want to have a cake cutting, but I'm pretty sure my fiance will want to keep that in.  Maybe something off to the side so everyone doesn't have to clear the dance floor?  I haven't really thought about that yet.  

clarereedy

We are doing our cake cutting off to the side....we want the pictures, but not the interruption of the party.  The only ohter thing we are going is the anniversary dance where all of the couples dance and gradually you're left with one couple standing who has been married the longest.  That couple will get my throw away bouquet.  We are going to do that to Andy Cooney's Irish Wedding Song. 

kwilkinson14

The only alternative in the wedding is the anniversary dance mentioned by clarereedy. The garter toss we axed all together. Everything else is pretty much the normal speeches, intros, and cake cutting.