What a boring wedding reception

itsatowel · April 2012

So I'm trying to find ideas to make our reception less boring. We're not doing dancing because we don't like to dance, can't dance, don't have room for a dance floor and my dad won't even dance with me. But we don't want guests to feel like they can't dance either, there will be fun 80's music. My fiance doesn't want to do any games, and we can't afford to hire anyone for entertainment. Any one have any suggestions to make our reception less boring?
It's going to be a pretty traditional ceremony, about 180 people and we're serving dinner, but can't think of other things that aren't lame to do (and I know at least one guest will probably think something is lame no matter what - can't win everyone).
And it's ok if you say we're screwed to have a boring reception without dancing. I'll come to terms with it, but I have to at least try

HobokensFury · April 2012

I personally think you should have a variety of music playing so your guests can dance if they want to. Sorry I don't have any other suggestions for you. Weddings without music and dancing are unheard of here.

GoodLuckBear14 · April 2012

Just because you don't like to dance doesn't mean your guests don't like to dance. Hire a DJ. There is no requirement that you step on the dance floor and your FI is right in not wanting games.

lyndausvi · April 2012

A good/fun reception to me is good food, free booze, good music and good company.

Maggie0829 · April 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_reception-ideas_what-a-boring-wedding-reception?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:5Discussion:b9e760b6-bf05-4e46-a2d7-dc4ef8ce1887Post:f84d8e9a-1f93-4ae5-8669-df7d38be62a3">Re: What a boring wedding reception</a>:
[QUOTE]Just because you don't like to dance doesn't mean your guests don't like to dance. Hire a DJ. There is no requirement that you step on the dance floor and your FI is right in not wanting games.
Posted by GoodLuckBear14[/QUOTE]

This.

The wedding reception is a way to thank your guests. Just because you hate to dance doesn't mean your 180 guests hate to dance as well.

If you really don't want dancing and such then your wedding reception should be shortened to only 3 hours (at the most). If I went to a wedding that didn't provide any dancing after dinner I would stay to talk to a few people for a bit but would leave way before the reception was scheduled to end.

goobersinlove · April 2012

Why don't you switch to a daytime wedding and have either a morning or early afternoon ceremony and serve breakfast/brunch/lunch? I think people would be much less likely to expect dancing at a daytime wedding than they would at an evening affair for starters. You can then simply play some background music and your guests will mingle and chat. (Bonus, this will also be exponentially cheaper).

But even if you have an evening wedding without dancing - that's still perfectly fine and your guests will still mingle. It will just be a little more obvious that the dancing was missing from the reception than if you had a day time reception. Does that make sense?

Another thing to note is that no matter what time you have your wedding at, it's also likely to not last as long as typical receptions with dancing. Guests will eat/drink, have cake, mingle a little and then leave.

Knottie1443721062 · April 2012

I went to a wedding a few years ago and the reception was held in the church that the ceremony took place. So, there was no alcohol and no dancing (for religous reasons). People stood around and mingled after dinner and I thought it was fine. We did leave early though and so did a lot of people. I think close family and friends stayed and that was it.

lb1212 · April 2012

I don't know if this would fall under the "game" category, but I was at a wedding where the B & G sat back to back and each had one G-shoe and one B-shoe to raise. (Personally, I would fine ANYTHING other than shoes!) The DJ then asked questions, like "Who said, "I love you" first" and they had to raise either his shoe or her shoe to see if they matched. It was definitely fun! You could swap the DJ to your MOH or BM.

itsatowel · April 2012

Well we're hiring my ipod to DJ, so there will be a variety of music. People can dance if they want to, there just isn't a dance floor since our reception space is small for that many people. And at this point (invitations were sent out and all that jazz) can't change the time or anything. But the reception starts at 3pm so it's not like it's going to be a late night reception. Awkward time for a reception? There will however be booze, so our alcoholic friends and family can at least drink the night away.

Thanks for the suggestions guys!

librababy · April 2012

Well, there you go. You have booze, you have music. people will dance where ever they find room to dance if they want to. Just make sure you have good food and you're good to go.

alithebride · April 2012

the reception is for your GUESTS, not for you. provide music and let them dance if they want to-you don't have to.

games? no. if you're not going to do the dancing have dinner, cut the cake etc.. adn then send everyone home. make it short.

kfras · April 2012

I see that you never said you weren't having music for your guests, you just are not having a dancefloor (no room, understood) and no "dances" as far as your first dance and father/daughter dance?

Are you just worried that there will be nothing to grab their attention? No "Please center your attention to the dancefloor where the bride and groom will have their first dance" ??

There are a number of things you can do to break up the evening. Are you still doing bouquet/garter toss? I assume you would have the Best Man and MOH make toasts? How about during the night, you can have different people make toasts or speeches? Not ALL members of the bridal party like to speak in public, but some might jump up at the opportunity. You can ask some in advance so they don't feel like they are put on the spot the day of. Maybe not a full on speech ("I've known Mary for 5 years....") But maybe they can offer up their favorite stories about the two of you.

Groom's college friend telling his favorite story about how they met the first day of school (Not embarrassing), your cousin telling a story about how you used to play dress up, your dad talking about the first time your new hubby picked you up for a date. Couple stories are great, if your friends talk about the first time you introduced them to your husband.

If the music is just background, and not blaring all night, this is a great idea because it's not boring if you can get your guests to LAUGH. You want to do something besides dancing, so why not take the mic yourselves, and tell everyone your favorite story about each other.

Hope this idea helps, even if you don't do this maybe it will give you some inspiration for a great idea of your own...

annamhisle · April 2012

I don't think it will be boring without dancing! I'm not dancing/having dancing at my wedding!! I know people say a wedding without dancing is unheard of - but there are some of us who don't want it at our wedding!

I'm having old christmas tunes playing at my wedding. I think it will be such an exciting time that guests won't feel bored. It's such a special day for your & your FI - everyone will be too happy to be bored!

QueerFemme · April 2012

I don't think there is anything wrong with not having dancing. Just plan for your reception to end earlier. I think the various planned dances (first dance, Father/daughter mother/son) dances take up some time... and generally, people dancing and partying tend to stick around longer.

So, if you don't have dancing, its more of a cocktail party reception. You will still have people wiggling their booties if they hear a song they like. I just think non-dancing parties tend to end earlier.

vexie · April 2012

As PP's have said... weddings without a dance don't automatically mean they are boring. Make sure you have great food, plenty to drink, good music and people will mingle and entertain themselves. I've been the most bored at weddings where you have to watch all the planned dances (bride and groom, father/daughter, mother/son, wedding party etc etc etc) and then the music is too lame to dance to anyway.

The evening will be shorter without a dance, but that's ok too!

What a boring wedding reception

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