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Wedding Reception Forum

What do we do at a DRY and dance free reception???

Okay, so our venue is booked, and so is our reception...We are planning on having a late morning wedding, and serving a picnic lunch at the reception...but we are doing our event on a dry campus,so we cannot drink, and we cannot dance...both rules of the college we are getting hitched at.  Besides feeding them, what on earth else do we do?  None of our people drink much, so the not drinking is really not that big of an issue...but other than dancing, what else do people do at receptions?  My FH just suggested games...like apples to apples.  We just want mingling and fun, and a relaxing reception, with a picnic theme.  I am thinking of things like bubbles instead of rice, giving personalized flower packets at favors etc, and even having a bounce house for the younger kids...we both have young family memebers that will be attending the wedding...but what on earth do we do for the grown ups?  Can we really just offer some background music and expect everyone mingle for a few hours as we make our rounds??  I infact already know the answer is NO! but I am just clueless as to what else to offer.  Thanks so much for all f your feedback!!!!!

Re: What do we do at a DRY and dance free reception???

  • AdeleDazeemAdeleDazeem member
    5000 Comments Fifth Anniversary 25 Love Its Name Dropper
    edited February 2010
    Well... let's pretend instead of a wedding, this was a bbq in the summer.  I've never been to one with dancing or really background music.

    Adults will chat, children will run around, and everyone will have a relaxing morning hanging out with family and friends.  I assume there will be food and at some point, you will cut cake?  It sounds lovely to me.

    People probably won't hang out for four hours, though.  They may stay a shorter period of time so you'll have to be okay with that.  I think having some things for the kids to do is nice.  I'm unsure about the games for adults - I'll defer to other people who answer.

    And I personally love the idea of flower packets as favors (but that is my opinion).

    EDIT: I'm not saying your wedding is a summer bbq, by the way.  I'm sure you are envisioning much nicer than that!  I just wanted to give an example of another gathering of people who didn't dance or have music, but everyone still had a good time!
  • We didn't have a dry wedding, but we had a dance free reception.  We did play music and let people chat.  It was great.  We didn't feel pressure to have to run away and have special dances or anything.  It will be fine.  No worries.
  • People will socialize with friends and family.  You don't need to plan any extra activities.  Just realize that most receptions with no alcohol or dancing tend to end after about 2 to 2.5 hours.
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  • People will socialize with one another.
  • A wedding reception is a social occasion - "socializing" is considered entertainment.

    You do your guests an injustice to assume they don't have the rudimentary basic social skills necessary to enjoy your hospitality, and share a meal among family and friends without outside entertainment. 

    You will be so busy on your wedding day, time will seem to fly by.  Guests will be busy watching the festivities, eating, and visiting with family and friends.  
  • Like Amoro, we'll have booze, but no dancing.  We figure people will just chat and enjoy the food, which will be plentiful and delicious.  We're only got it planned for two hours, then we'll adjourn somewhere for an after party.
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  • Perhaps have adult lawn games, like bocce or croquet?
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  • Thanks everyne.  You have pretty much answered my question.  I realized the reception will be shorter, and it is okay using the backyard BBQ as an example...until my mom decided to pay for the day and take over the plans, that was what we were planning.  I appriciate the feedback!
  • LasairionaLasairiona member
    500 Comments
    edited February 2010
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_reception-ideas_dry-dance-reception?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:5Discussion:5a5d7c71-ff2e-4bae-8674-529ae49075daPost:391babbb-300b-4db8-8c6f-e2e16535e639">Re: What do we do at a DRY and dance free reception???</a>:
    [QUOTE]LOL, I was raised Baptist, so until I was an adult, I'd never been to a wedding that wasn't an afternoon, cake and punch, dry, no-dancing wedding.  I thought all weddings were that way.
    Posted by Catwoman708[/QUOTE]
    I was raised Lutheran along with attending other denominations (Methodist, Salvation Army, etc) and I had no realization at all that weddings could be something not related to the traditional afternoon cake and punch affairs with no dancing that everyone and their cousin does, before reading about them on the Knot. The rare few dancing receptions I have attended were non-Christian. When I asked several pastors of various denominations in years past why dancing is not allowed at Christian weddings, they have all said "the Bible strictly says God condemns it and anyone who takes part is bound for hell". But upon reading closer, that is not the case at all.
  • In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_reception-ideas_dry-dance-reception?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:5Discussion:5a5d7c71-ff2e-4bae-8674-529ae49075daPost:79b3ee63-f31c-4c90-a86d-821e4f67dffb">Re: What do we do at a DRY and dance free reception???</a>:
    [QUOTE]In Response to Re: What do we do at a DRY and dance free reception??? : I was raised Lutheran along with attending other denominations (Methodist, Salvation Army, etc) and I had no realization at all that weddings could be something beyond afternoon cake and punch affairs with no dancing, before reading about them on the Knot.
    Posted by Lasairiona[/QUOTE]

    I was also raised Lutheran and have never been to a wedding that wasn't an evening, dancing, and drinking affair.  I'd never heard of cake and punch receptions until The Knot!
  • I recognize that the bible does not say no dancing...I mean King David danced in the streets...but they are the rules of the campus we are getting married on.  Most of the wedding I have been to have not included dancing, and i have always been pretty board.  I just want to have a fun time, and want everyone else to have fun too.  :-)
  • Other than socializing, how about a photobooth?
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  • dparisidparisi member
    Fourth Anniversary 100 Comments
    edited February 2010
    I agree with Blueeye228.  A photo booth would be very fun!  You could also set one up yourself if you are creative.  Get some props and an instamatic camera
    .  Have the guests take pictures of each other (or hire a student from the college) put them in the guest book with their best wishes for you and your FI.

    I also was at a wedding where they played a type of musical chairs - for socializing-it was not totally structured, and the Bride had the BM's and GM's start the trend by moving from table to table and bringing people from one table to the other to meet new people.  She came up with the idea because her FI's family is from the West Coast and she is from the East Coast so they did not know each other at all.  At first I thought it was crazy, but actually everyone had a great time and met the "other side" of the family.
  • I LOVE th photo booth idea and have already looked into it.  I even have the ability to get on at $50% off of one cause I work for a party planning company...and I still don't think it is in our budget.  But thank you.  Yes, his family is from Idaho, and mine is from Oregon and Washington...so I kinda like the trivia and musical chairs ideas...Thank you!
  • I don't know how "formal"or large your reception will be, but (coming from a college town) games like bean bags, washers and horseshoes are quick and fun (summer afternoon-type) games to play while getting to know people. Also, you can easily DIY so you can paint them up to coordinate with your colors or theme. I know wedding receptions are places to socialize, but it might be a good idea to have something for guests to fall back on or to help people mingle. I personally know a few people that will be at my wedding that aren't as outgoing as others and would appreciate the gesture of some kind of activity. That musical chairs mingling is an awesome idea too! It sounds kind of like speed dating. It could be a lot of fun, as long as someone other than the bride and groom orchestrated it. Good luck!
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