MemberSo I’m having my wedding reception at my church’s fellowship center which is right next to the church. We are having dinner there but there will be no drinking or dancing allowed (Baptist). What in the world can we do so that people are entertained and not bored? Any ideas/suggestions?
MemberWow. I thought that only happened on Footloose. Maybe you can go out to a bar with friends after dinner.
MemberMrsDavistobe: How long is your reception going to be? With no dancing or drinks I would honestly suggest a short reception, maybe 2 hours or so and have dinner, cut the cake, say hello to your guests, and then have it end.
MemberMrsDavistobe: Are you able to hire an entertainer that is not a DJ? Like a magician or someone that can juggle … I went to a wedding like that and there was some sort of a game. I would say to end the reception a little after dinner (first dance, other dances, cake cutting) and then go out dancing somewhere else if you want. That kinda sucks but understandable.
Membercarolinabelle: I definitely wasn’t planning to have a long reception because of the no dancing issue. Maybe 2 – 2 1/2 hours. I’ve thought about having an “after party” somewhere with a few close friends but what about everyone else?
Memberlaceydoilies: Thanks for the suggestions. I’m trying to think of entertainers. I thought about having a caricature artist but that’s only entertaining if you’re being drawn! It is a bit of a bummer but the fellowship center was near free so it helped with the budget!
MemberWe aren’t having any dancing because the wedding is Sunday afternoon. Reception about 3 hours, there will be our first dance, toasts, cake cutting, bouquet and garter toss. Then we are going to take photos for a few hours and will meet up with anyone who is interested in an after party.
MemberI say after party! I think you should have a formal cake and punch reception at your church, and then go out afterwards with the Bridal Party, and any guests who are interested in coming! 🙂
MemberWe aren’t doing dancing at the reception. Our reception will be about 4 hours. We are having a formal buffet dinner, 1 hour of quartet music, 3 hours of caricture artists, I-Spy place cards (for things around them since we are outside at epcot), and fireworks. We will have an after party as well but I think for the reception in general we have enough entertainment to make it work, but part of that is due to our location.
MemberWe didn’t do dancing our reception. We had it at out church (baptist), but that wasn’t the reason we didn’t have dancing. Our circle of family and friends doesn’t really enjoy dancing. I mean the occasional slow dance, yea, but no fast songs. Lol. I liked it though. I could actually talk to my guests and hear the full conversation, because there wasn’t loud dance music. We didn’t have alcohol either, because out of our guests only 20% would have had some.
MemberI went to a lovely reception at a Country Club once that was only dinner and mingling. FH and I aren’t dancers (though we are drinkers) and everyone injoyed themselves. It wasn’t long. People ate, talked, the cake was cut, done! It was sweet, short, and actually very lovely. Their decor, food, and cake were to die for. They didn’t bring in any entertainment. I figure adults can entertain themselves.
MemberI’ve been to 3 weddings that didn’t have dancing due to budget restrictions and lack of interest. The guests had fun talking with each other and the couple. The receptions were 2-3 hours and felt like fun dinner parties.
MemberHave you considdered having a live musician or a band provide some entertainment? It doesn’t have to be dancing-music, more like background style music.
MemberMrsDavistobe: I’ve been to lots of no-dancing receptions. They’re quite common here (Australia), even among people who aren’t practising Christians.
It will be like a giant dinner party: people will eat, drink, socialise (moving from table to table) and talk, and listen to the speeches. It’ll be fine. Plus if you guests are mainly from a group that doesn’t dance, they will be used to talking. Our reception went 4-5 hours with no dancing.
Personally I don’t like the idea of an entertainer unless they’re really good (and don’t go long). People are there for you and your wedding, they’re not going to a show.
Memberaussiemum1248: I agree with the dinner party sentiment.
However, please do not let it be like one wedding I attended where there was not enough food for everyone (at dinnertime), no dancing or drinks, but worse was that the bride and groom were at a head table on a stage and DID NOT mingle with anyone, the whole night! The whole place was tightly packed with tables, so basically everyone sat there hungry for two hours and then left.
You can absolutely have a nice flowing reception without drinks and dancing, you just have to be a gracious couple!