Help make my reception fun!!

Question

ok so we had an unexpected budget cut to our reception... its now going to be cake & punch w/music but no dj :( now im really afraid my reception is going to be BoRiNg!!!! the only neat thing ill have is a chocolate fountain. what are some VERY inexpensive ways to make my reception not a total bore?

we are serving non & alcoholic punch & im add a kids table w/things to do for the little ones.

also we will have gotten married the week before in jamaica. the reception is on a sat in november at 2 in the afternoon in a restuarant banquet room. any ideas will help! thanks!

Answer 1

Hi.  I am really sorry, and I am not usually mean, but this does not sound fun at all.  

I am all for low-key type of events....and I HAVE given the cake and punch idea to others that are on a budget.  BUT, this is not right after your guests have witnessed your ceremony.  It is simply an afternoon of cake and punch and some music.  Really,

I don't know what to say.

I guess if you are having your wedding videotaped, you could play your wedding for everyone, so at least they would feel like they were there.....then you could serve the cake and punch.  But this is not going to be a long reception.  People will eat their cake and punch and leave, especially with no ceremony involved.  

If you wanted your guests to feel more involved, why are you going off to Jamaica?  Why not have a wedding at home so your guests can come and enjoy it....then have your cake and punch reception.  I have heard of receptions after a destination wedding....and it is perfectly acceptable to do that......but they are usually with food, drinks, and dancing....not cake and punch.  Sorry.....

Answer 2

you can have fun with decoration!! Make a little center piece for every table that you made on your own ..go to the markets in Jamaica and get some inexpensive authentic things to help your guests feel like they were in Jamaica with you. You could do a slide show of your entire trip ..everyone LOVES photos ..you could even do a slide show of each of your lives and then of the wedding, like when you come together!! You could have your centre pieces in a bowl with colored sand for the beachy feel and have tea light candles in the sand :) I hope everything goes okay!! d**n money eh??

i keep thinking of things and adding lol but you could also get a cd from Jamaica and play it as the guests are arriving!! like music that you would hear over there!!

Answer 3

you can have a mic set up for friends and family to share embarrassing moments you can ask friends who have talents to sing or play an instrument. you can have some classic wedding games where the groom feels the brides , mother of the brides and all the brides maids legs and decide which is her. Bouquet toss. Also you can have name that tune all you need is like the best man's to be a dj and a CD player . you can have an air guitar contest , macarina contest and have little prizes from the dollar store for each.

Answer 4

Some people may consider this to be a bit tacky, but maybe you could convince a fortune teller to set up a booth.  You could agree to allow her to charge your guest a modest amount per reading (maybe $10?).  Maybe as a wedding gift she will give you a free reading!  Congratulations.

Answer 5

wait, where's your wedding?

Im a dj.

Answer 6

Sorry to say this but it sounds like it will be a bore!!!

No food (but @ a resturant)

A celebration but no music.....No way your guest will be bored and not so entertained.  

If they just sit there with no food and only cake and punch and watch your film they may fall asleep.

I understand your on a low budget but so was I and ii made it work and everything was so on point.  I think somehow some way you should get a D.J so he can keep the crowd entertained.

Once ya'll eat, toss, first dance, mix and mingle every one will just be sitting down looking around for 4 hours.  This is a celebration make it one .  I was bored reading it, so if you want people to enjoy themselves give them some lively entertainment seriously!!!  Don't have them go home bored.  Good luck!!

Answer 7

see if you can't work out a deal for someone to be a dj. A party without music sounds boring. Maybe you or you new husband has a skill that someone handy with a portable stereo can use..... You know barter: fix a car, do sewing, paint a room, babysit, ask around and see if you can work out something with someone you can trust. It doesn't even have to be fancy, just someone with an upbeat personality and lot of dance tunes. good luck.  

Answer 8

u can try and arrange a comedy show or a magic show and people will like it very much and more than liking it they will remember it for a very very long time. smile usually don't fade away that easily...Bye

U Have Good Ideas U Can trie yours

Answer 9

Show a video or picture slideshow of your destination wedding in Jamaica.  Have game questions at each table and the MC can be in charge of organizing the tables to answer their questions.  Tape things to the bottom of guests chairs and they get to win something.  Find an inventive way to get the bride and groom to kiss.

Answer 10

First of all cut out the slideshow and the video. Then find a karaoke machine and let the guests entertain themselves - the alcohol will help. Weddings are boring enough without burdening people with your life story and videos of the boring event.

Answer 11

just make sure the music you have is great...dancing is everyones favorite at weddings! good, fun music makes a wedding...just get everyone to the dance floor! Congratulations and hope all goes well!

Answer 12

Look for other couples getting married and have all ur marriages at the same time and u guys can share the budget. I promise it will be cheaper.

Answer 13

Have a good MC.  Someone who will do some homework and find out about the bride and groom, parents, family and the wedding party.  Each person can be acknowledged and some insight as to how they know the bride and groom and what advice they have to give.

Answer 14

have the people come in the buff lol

Answer 15

u can try and arrange a comedy show or a magic show and people will like it very much and more than liking it they will remember it for a very very long time. smile usually dont fade away that easily...

Answer 16

your head

Answer 17

maybe you can have a couple of competitive little games where your guests win a prize.  Also have a dance performed to one of the songs you had at your destination wedding...like a couple of dancers or if space allows, 5-6 people....that you know who can do it for free.  Have fun!!  I'm trying to think of stuff myself since I came from a very conservative backgroung and there will practically be very little dancing!!

Answer 18

karaoke!