Reception Activities

misskates999 · December 2009

I am getting married in July and have not been to very many weddings myself. I know there are some games/dances to do at the reception to liven things up, get people talking and laughing, and so on, I just don't really know any of them. For example, I've been doing some online searching for activities and people keep suggesting the dollar dance. I've heard of the dollar dance, but don't really know what it is! So I was hoping to get some suggestions of fun things to do at the reception, without it becoming too hokey. Whether they are traditional or new ideas, preferable nothing that will cost extra money, and, as I am quite possibly the least wedding experienced bride ever, I will need explanations of how the games are played

Thanks all!

lyndausvi · December 2009

I've been to a lot of weddings and at least in my group all they need is good food, free booze and good music. Everything else always falls into place.

Most adults know how to attend social events, just because it's wedding does not change that. They will mingle on their own so stop overthinking this.

btw - I would be annoyed with any games. Mostly because games would interupt my mingling.

MyNameIsNot · December 2009

Don't do the money dance. It's terribly tacky to ask your guests for cash.

All you really need is a good DJ and a dance floor. Most people will get up and dance. Make sure the DJ plays a variety of music from different genres. If you hire someone good, they'll keep people dancing.

Other than that, just offer good food and a bar. People will mingle, dance, and enjoy catching up with family/friends. Depending on how your venue is set up, you can have an extra seating area away from the dance floor where people who don't dance can chat.

Games sound like a good idea, but in practice they end up stopping the party and doing the opposite.

Lasairiona · December 2009

Generally people either dance or mingle. They don't need or want other entertainment. If they are adults, most know how to do either of those things without outside help. Games are not played at wedding receptions. They are reserved for bridal showers and company picnics.

A dollar dance is considered rude in most social circles since you are basically charging people to dance with you. If you have never heard of it, chances are it won't over well with your group and is best to skip it. Even many people who have heard of or seen it before feel it is best to skip entirely.

MyNameIsNot · December 2009

Oh, but games do work well for little kids. If you are inviting a lot of kids, you can set up a back table or room with some games and books and stuff. If you stick a bunch of candy back there, you're less likely to have a bunch of little kids on the dance floor.

mbcdefg · December 2009

The only "activities" I've really seen at weddings, and all these things are totally optional, are:

* the couple's first dance
* dances with parents (or maybe a grandparent or sibling if parents are not in the picture)
* anniversary dance (where the married couples in attendance all dance, and the longest-married couple gets recognized by the DJ, and maybe gets a prize like a small bouquet or a bottle of wine)
* garter removal and toss
* bouquet toss
* toasts (Best Man, sometimes Maid of Honor, sometimes the parents)
* sometimes the newlyweds give a short speech or toast to their guests to thank them for coming
* some weddings have a photo slideshow of the couple (no more than 5 minutes or else people get bored) - I've only seen this at one wedding.

The bridal party dance seems to be on its way out. It's awkward for BP members to dance with their "partner," especially if they don't really know them and/or have their own date or spouse there with them. Plus your guests don't really care about watching this.

Some people also include family traditions or cultural things - blessings/prayers over the meal or bread, cake pulls (seems to be popular in the South), special dances (hora, etc.). The dollar dance is popular and accepted in some circles, but can be considered highly rude in others. If this is not a common thing in your inner circle, definitely skip this one. Your families will probably let you know if something special is expected at your wedding, and even then it's your call if you want to skip them. And if you've never heard of a particular activity, then that's usually a good sign that it ought to be skipped.

You really only need good food, drinks and decent entertainment (and enough seating, of course) to keep your guests happy. Don't try to fill up the night with activities, because people will get annoyed if you keep stopping the party for games. People will eat, dance and mingle on their own. You don't have to provide constant entertainment for them.

duckie1905 · December 2009

The only things that are ever required in my group to have a great wedding is good food, music, and booze. Beyond that we can usually figure out how to entertain ourselves. I would be annoyed with games because I'm not a child and don't feel the need to be entertained by icebreaker type games.

Don't do a dollar dance. While I never like them (even when they are common in a particular group or region) the fact that you have no idea what one is leads me to believe that most of your family and friends won't either. If that's the case they'll probably think its more rude than anything. Dance with your guests for free if they ask.

AmoroAgain · December 2009

I kind of hate the "required" dances. Couples first dance, mommy/daddy dances, bp dances.... ugh. It's never ending and it's stupid.

I also am not a fan of garter and bouquet tosses.

Just provide good music, good food, and good drinks-- you'll be all set.

aerinpegadrak · December 2009

As far as games go, I've heard of several weddings where the couple provided cards or board games, with great success. I think the key there is that it's available if people want to do it, but no one is forced into it and it doesn't break the flow of the evening. If you stop the party to try to play a game, it's kind of a killjoy.

Reception Activities

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