Post # 1
Member
47 posts
Newbee
We only have about a month to go – ack!! We are working on firming up our timeline and I wanted to get your thoughts on the reception activities. We are both not fans of the bouquet/garter toss, and we won’t be doing a mother/son or father/daughter dance. We only have about 75 people coming to our reception, so also don’t have a ton of people who will keep the party raging.
I am a bit concerned that we have way too much “open dancing” time on our schedule. Does anyone have any suggestions on other scheduled things we can do during the reception so that it doesn’t feel like we have all this unstructured time? Or feel free to just tell me I’m crazy 🙂
If it helps, we will also have a photo booth, plus a sundae bar opening up a bit later – so those may break up the pure dance time a bit. Either way would love some opinions!
Here’s our thinking as to schedule so far:
4:30-5 – ceremony
5-6 – cocktail hour and sunset pics
6 onwards – reception starts
6:10 – dinner stations open/dinner
7:15 – toasts
7:30 – first dance, then dance floor opens
8 – cake cutting and ice cream sundae bar opens
10:30 – last dance
Post # 3
Member
237 posts
Helper bee
I don’t think 3 hours of open dance plus the cake and sundae bar is too much. But then again I LOVE to dance at weddings. As long as you don’t fake away seating or anything. People who get tired of dancing can sit and eat cake & ice cream while the dancers can keep dancing 🙂
Post # 4
Member
9552 posts
Buzzing Beekeeper
I’d push the cake to 8:30. But, other than that, I think it looks great! I don’t think there’s too much open time. People like to party and visit during weddings so I don’t think they need to be constantly entertained with “events”.
Post # 5
Member
47 posts
Newbee
Thanks 🙂 I feel a lot better now!!
Post # 6
Hostess
8579 posts
Bumble Beekeeper
I think what you sounds is lovely. We are pretty much having the same amount of activities [minus the sundae bar]
and we are having 2 poker tables for the boys.
Post # 7
Member
6256 posts
Bee Keeper
ETA: just saw you’re already having a photobooth. I think with ice cream, photos and dancing, it will be just fine!
But I’ve heard from other couple I know that a caricaturist was a big hit.
Post # 8
Member
2948 posts
Sugar bee
To be honest, neither you nor your guests will like having something that they “need to do” at your wedding. Most people coming to your wedding will want to visit with you/each other. Thats were the real memories are!
Post # 9
Member
3574 posts
Sugar bee
I think what you have is great
Post # 10
Member
107 posts
Blushing bee
I think you’re timeline is fine.
We’re playing the Chair Game at our reception. We played it at a wedding show and had so much fun that I knew we had to do it at our reception. My Maid/Matron of Honor is in charge of getting the questions together.
Post # 11
Member
1435 posts
Bumble bee
we had marriedcouples line up according to how long married. Then each couple was asked to give advice. I then gave my bouquet to woman married longest
Post # 12
Member
1671 posts
Bumble bee
- Wedding: October 2014 - Church
@essiesstyle: I don’t think so. I’ve been to receptions that were longer and people always tend to mingle and have a good time, as long as they aren’t hungry (which it looks like they won’t be!). You also don’t have a huge gap between the ceremony and dinner. They’ll mingle, dance, have a good time in general. No worries 🙂
Post # 13
Member
348 posts
Helper bee
@Misswhowedding: +100000
Don’t feel like you need to give your guests more to do. Time flys when people are just visiting with each other.
Post # 14
Member
634 posts
Busy bee
Can I just give you massive kudos for planning on ending at the very modest and reasonable time of 10:30? There are so many bitter brides out there who are mad people didn’t dance the night away until midnight or later, it’s awesome seeing someone not set a PartyPartyParty! Timeline like their wedding is on par with a night of clubbing.
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