Post # 1
Member
85 posts
Worker bee
Hi everyone!
I’d love to get some advice as I brainstorm ideas
We’re having a dry wedding for family, religious reasons and price reasons, and the venue we fell in love with doesn’t have room for a dance floor. This doesn’t bother us at all because we don’t really drink or dance, the majority of our guests don’t either (except for a handful of old high school friends and work friends), and it’s during the day (ceremony at 10:00 am, lunchtime reception). Also, our reception space is attached to a restaurant that has a bar, so if some of the guests really want to, they can go into the next room and order a drink without breaking any rules at the reception venue. And after the wedding we’ll probably have a small afterparty with our friends that do like to drink and dance.
So I feel like that combination of factors will ensure that we’ll be fine and people won’t be offended by this, but in our planning we always hear people saying that weddings are boring without drinking or dancing, and my concern is just making sure that people aren’t bored! (Damn you “Four Weddings” for making me self-conscious about this!! haha)
Have you guys seen creative ideas for making sure people still have a great time? We’re going to do a DIY Photo Booth with fun props based on our personalities, an interactive guest book where people can write out their favorite memories, share their marriage advice and draw pictures, we’re looking into getting some live music (since we don’t have a dance floor it wouldn’t be a full band, maybe an acoustic guitarist/singer), we’re going to have pictures of our guests on the walls to celebrate our lives with them, we wanted to show some videos/slideshows… maybe play some games but I’m not sure what yet. Does anyone have suggestions for fun games and activities at weddings? Oh, and we have a gelato bar!! (I’m super excited about that. Up to six flavors AND unlimited toppings!! That’s better than a full alcohol bar, isn’t it? haha or maybe that’s just me)
Anyway, I don’t want to overdo it, I just can’t shake the “boring” fear. I keep trying to console myself with the thought that “only boring people are bored” and adults should be able to have a good time for three to four hours without us having to feel responsible for fully entertaining, but I’m still trying to brainstorm some great original ideas just in case. 🙂 I’d love to hear all your thoughts!
Thanks!!
Post # 3
Member
4804 posts
Honey bee
You could do the shoe game, where you each hold one of your shoes and one of your FI’s shoes, then the emcee asks some questions like “Who is the messiest” and you have to hold up the corresponding shoe. Just make sure there aren’t too many questions or it could get a bit long and boring! It’s usually cute when it isn’t too long though.
Post # 4
Member
10453 posts
Sugar Beekeeper
Just a suggestion (since I see you have other reasons that just price) but if those are the less important issues for you, what about a cash bar?
Otherwise, I went to a company Christmas party where they had set up games at each table. Crib, battle of the sexes, scrabble, whatever.
Post # 5
Member
1158 posts
Bumble bee
I think what you have planned will be fine.I am doing the same thing.
Post # 6
Member
1838 posts
Buzzing bee
There is this adorable picture going around pinterest there is a sign that says something about not liking dancing and there are a bunch of old school board games shoots and ladders, candy land, scrabble, risk, monopoly.
I Totally want to do a guest scavenger hunt if I can get my act together. Mainly they are for kids, but it could be made fun for adults too. I love the picture scavenger hunts with things like “Take a picture of a brides maid laughing” “take a picture of people hugging” “Take a picture of a baby and parent dancing” things like that. you could have polaroids if they were in your budget and you could keep the cameras or use them a favors.
Sorry I am not very creative untill your wedding is outside, the most fun wedding I have ever been at had crocet (thats not how you spell it but there are long hammers and striped balls that you hit through tunnels)
Post # 7
Member
6124 posts
Bee Keeper
A photo booth will be great!
I am totally a visual person and completely uncreative, so I scoured the internet once upon a time for ways to add a personal touch to a reception:
Your RSVPs could be fun little Mad Libs like this which are displayed at the reception for people to read.
You could have a cute little book at each table that are entitled:
- “Cute Baby Names” (if you plan to have kids obviously)
Have a “leaf your name” guestbook tree which you can display in your home.
Cut out heart shapes on colorful paper. Have jars that read 1 year, 5, year, 10 year, 20 year. Have guests write special messages with regards to each anniversary for you to open and read on that annversary.
If guests are pretty scattered (state wise or country wise) have a fun little map with push pins to visually demonstrate where everyone comes from. I was going to do this for my wedding. I’m a big map person.
Post # 8
Member
1375 posts
Bumble bee
You could have a few mad libs at each table, either in book form or ones you made up that pertain to you and your Fiance.
Also, it might be fun if, since you aren’t able to spring for alcohol (TOTALLY fine, btw) to have interesting juices, gourmet sodas, and/or mocktails.
Post # 9
Member
4511 posts
Honey bee
I think what you’ve already planned sounds lovely. People are going to have fun just talking to each other! I wouldn’t worr about arranging games or other activities to entertain folks. I’ve been to several lunchtime weddings like this (no dancing, and if there was alcohol, I didn’t drink any), and they were fun.
Post # 10
Member
2067 posts
Buzzing bee
I was also going to suggest the shoe game 🙂 and various board games could be spread around if you like board games… And I love the idea a PP had about books/pages at the tables (ways to say I love you, date ideas, baby names, etc…) – Maybe you could make a way for everyone to have a chance to fill these out… Have them on a table with the guest book or something… That would be really fun 🙂
Post # 11
Member
2067 posts
Buzzing bee
Also, we had a dry wedding and it was perfectly fine…. Our circle of friends really doesn’t drink… In fact, we were one of 3 weddings in our circle last year and all were dry.
My Fiance (at the time) and I went to a 4th wedding last year (I was a BM) and it wasn’t dry, although many of our friends who attended the wedding don’t drink (The friends at that wedding all met at Bible college haha)… Anyways, it was really uncomfortable because there was drinking… And people got totally DRUNK… As you can imagine, it was awkward with that circle of people haha 🙂
So… My point is, stick to your guns/stay in your comfort zone with this… Don’t be persuaded otherwise 🙂
Post # 12
Member
3375 posts
Sugar bee
Oooh I love the shoe game that a previous poster mentioned. It works best when the questions are interesting. Questions like “who does the dishes” aren’t as interesting as “who kissed first?”
Post # 13
Member
389 posts
Helper bee
Get a beautiful punch bowl and make a fresh fruit punch and put plastic or glass martini glasses around it. Do slice in lemons, limes, oranges, and freeze strawberries in your ice cube trays. This feels like they are really “drinking” a spirit but without alcohol! You could also call your local school or if you are having teens at your party from your church, have them get pom poms and do “cheers” for the Lord – they can practice two nice routines for entertainment during dinner. Order a large checker set that can be placed on the dance floor after dinner and the teens and adults could play. See http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=giant+checkers+set&tag=googhydr-20&index=aps&hvadid=7257569767&hvpos=1t1&hvexid=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=16749492901417742965&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=b&ref=pd_sl_4fvdzijtxn_b
Good luck!!
Post # 14
Member
85 posts
Worker bee
Thanks for all the input, guys! Such great ideas!
I’ve been to a bunch of weddings where they played the shoe game, so I was hoping to do something a little different and unique if possible… have you guys seen any other similar games like that work successfully without being too cheesy and forced?
We were discussing having a couple of Jenga games at some of the cocktail tables… since our first kiss (unofficially! We don’t really count that one! haha 
) was actually during a game of Truth or Dare Jenga!
We were actually going to do this for the guest book, which will hopefully be more fun and interactive for them! from http://www.guestbookstore.com/guestbooks/wedding_pages_casual.html
Post # 15
Member
558 posts
Busy bee
@nkatsa: I AM HAVING THIS TOO. It has me worried that ppl would think my wedding is boring. So I am keen to hear what the other Bees have to suggest. CONGRATS on ur engagement and Wedding!
Post # 16
Member
635 posts
Busy bee
A friend of mine did this. No one complained, and my friends are heavy drinkers. It just wasn’t a super long reception- 2hrs max, and we did an exit for them. The drinkers just went out afterwards. My wedding will be dry- and no dance floor. But it’s on a Sunday and at 2pm. I hope they can just chat and be ok.
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