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Good question. I've never been to a wedding where there's been NO dancing,so I have no clue. My SIL's side didn't budge at my daughter's wedding a few months ago,but our side more than made up for it!
Are you having any music at all,even during dinner? Is it just something you don't do or don't like?
it is purely due to numbers. We are having less than 20 people...
Are you looking for mix and mingle activities or get everyone doing one thing together?
For mix and mingle put some board games out on tables or something else that you guys really enjoy doing. I have seen rock band receptions that were great! If you want more of everyone doing the same thing how about hiring a group of dancers to put on a show? Or if your group is more into entertainment how about a comedian or play??
Can you tell us a little bit more about the group? I bet we can come up with something.
I know how you feel. Only 20 people, if your really not dancers, is tough. We are now having about 60 and I an going through the same thing, because we are not dancers and the crowd will be varied. If you could do it at a house it seems to me people would move around and create naturalsiting/conversation areas -kind of like after a holiday dinner. Maybe a piano player. That would add energy and set a tone and be entertainment but not over powering. People love live music. Good luck!
I think we're going to play some bingo. We're having a lot of older guests, and no one dances anyway, so I think they'll enjoy that.
We didn't have dancing either. We just kind of mingled with our guests after we finished eating. Actually, hubby and I didn't finish eating before we got up to start chatting with people because we didn't want them to leave without being able to chat with everyone a little first. We had some beer and such people could just grab as they wanted. I made sure to do a cake cutting and such to keep them somewhat entertained. Otherwise though, after they finished mingling, they just went home. The reception lasted maybe 3 hours? It was kind of nice because it gave hubby and I time to enjoy each other instead of dropping dead onto the bed and sleeping like we would have if we'd have been up partying into the night lol
Maybe you could do your own version of the newlywed show, you and your new hubby could host and get some established couples that are willing to answer questions, and see how well they know each other.
We are are only having 50 people, and they aren't big dancers, so instead of having a formal sit down dinner, we are having more of a cocktail party with lots of interactive food stations, etc. We even put the bar out on the patio to encourage people to get up and move around. We are playing music and will have an area for people to dance, but we aren't expecting it to be a huge dance party, we figure the cocktail style reception will keep the non-dancers mingling throughout the night.
We have this same dilemma - we are having a smallish ceremony and sit down dinner afterward (aka not your typical 'reception') and don't know what to do after dinner is over/cake it eaten. I thought the board game idea was interesting or the newlywed game concept, considering it will be mostly parents/grandparents/siblings and some of our friends there won't be a lot of dancing anyways so I don't think they would miss the dance floor.
-Bella
For our at home reception we will be having my MOH give everyone a quick dance lesson (type of dance TBD but something latin american because of where the wedding is) and we are also doing the show game. I saw a you tube video and everyone looked like they were having a lot of fun. Here is a really good explanation: Shoe Game
With just 20, I think it's wide open. you could do anything from games to just a guitar player to just nothing. I mean 20 people is like a Christmas gathering. No one needs to be stressed about that kind of entertainment for Christmas.
Also, why shy about dancing? I can be shy on the dance floor. But if it's just 20 people, maybe I wouldn't be so inhibited. What about looking into the local Arthur Murray, to see about hiring some dancers to come teach some ballroom steps to the crowd? Although if no one likes dancing because they are too old to really cut a rug, or religiously don't believe in dancing etc., I guess that wouldn't be a good idea.
I like the idea of setting it up like a cocktail party, where everyone's moving around a mingling and talking.
You could set up a photobooth or some sort.
Have a casino theme for the evening. Hire some people to come in and deal blackjack, poker, etc. Tons of tables for playing cards.
Thanks for the input everyone you have given me lots of ideas to consider!
We're still debating wether to dance or not. Luckily our venue is outdoors, and has many ammenities like horse shoes, hiking trails, and scenic view points. We're also doing a make-shift photo booth using the brick walls of our venue as the background. We're looking at pawn shops for a cheap digital camera, and then upload all the photos on Flickr or Photobucket to save on cash - plus then people can go online after the wedding and print pics they like.
You could do something with your guests that reflects your personality...like have your fave board games on each table, or orchestrate a group activity. Plus having "stations" for people to mingle at helps - like having a station for signing an extra special guest book that requires more than just leaving a short note (Search guests books on wedding bee and find some cool ideas). Or have more pictures or info about you guys spread around the area so people get up and walk around and talk to other guests. Also incorporating that personal info and photos into a game...like "do you know the bride's fave food???" or something like that would be cute!
Good luck!
I'm not sure what your budget is, but with only 20 people you could do an awesome wine tasting. Or chocolate tasting and hire an expert to teach everyone about it as they taste. You can tailor this to whatever you and your FI love so it reflects who you are. I personally would love to be a guest at a wedding like that. And with something like a tasting the guests can interact and you can all talk about which ones you like and such.
I have a similar situation. We are having about 30 people, and it's not a big dancing group, so we're skipping the dance as well. Instead, we opted for a long cocktail hour before dinner, then a buffet-style dinner so people are moving around, and we're planning to let people do spontaneous toasts (anybody who wants to). We plan to have fun with sparklers on the lawn for a while, but the whole dinner is in a garden and we must be out by 10pm, so we'll take over the hotel bar for an after party -- I found out they have live music on Saturdays
Maybe have nice long cocktail hour, then do an after party somewhere else? It might be fun to find a nearby club or bar that has an energetic atmosphere that your small group can benefit from, but still just hang out and do the things your comfortable with...
Small groups can have more fun in some ways!! :)
We're having 90 people - but no dance, mostly because almost nobody from FI's life will be at the Canadian wedding. The wedding is also on a Sunday, so we have to be mindful of people driving home so they can work the next day. Our reception and ceremony will be at the same place, so we are having a longer break between the ceremony and reception during which we will be doing lawn games! I'm so excited. Then we'll have a later dinner and time to mingle with the small group of guests who will be staying overnight.
I've been to wedding receptions that were just a dinner and that was it. It wasn't boring to me in the least! There was great food and conversation and everyone mingled afterwards. I don't think you necessarily have to worry about planning an "activity" other than dancing if just dinner is what you want.
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If you are having a sit down dinner but don't want a dance what do you do after dinner?