If I don't want to have dancing at my wedding, what are some fun alternatives to keep guests from being bored?

Question

I'm getting married and having my reception in a church that (for religious reasons) doesn't allow dancing, but I still want my guests to have a good time. Does anyone have any suggestions about things to do instead?

Answer 1

bingo

Answer 2

pleanty of food, a band to watch, singers, kareoke, games of some sort

Answer 3

I recently worked at a wedding where they had a photo booth with a few props like hats and boas. Guest got 4 shots per sitting and they had a photo album to put the pictures in and stickers and pens to personalize the photos. Plus the bride got a disc with all of the photos. Interactive food stations such as a candy or Sundae bar are popular. have a table with toys, crayons etc. to keep children entertained. Serve your cake late in the reception as guests tend to leave after the cake is cut.

Answer 4

What's the background? I know that Russian Mennonite weddings tend to have an open mic (because the bride and groom aren't embarrassed enough I guess), and I suspect that this is because dancing is only now becoming acceptable.

Answer 5

Most likely, your reception will be similar to a cocktail hour but punch instead of cocktails. I assume it will be light music with guests mingling.  There is nothing at all wrong with that unless you want something different.

As for activities to do instead?  If the church doesn't permit dancing, you should really talk to the clergy of the church to find out what IS permitted.

If you are choosing to have your reception at the church because you (and  maybe) most of your guests are from that church, then do what other couples have done in the past.

Answer 6

Weddings are a great opportunity to socialize or mingle, so put your focus on that aspect of the event.  I know that I rarely dance at a wedding reception because I spend more time catching up with relatives and chatting with them.  In my case, the music and dancing are usually bothersome because I can't hear someone talking.  Church receptions are really lovely for this type of thing.

Trust me that people will chat quite happily for some time at your reception.  However, if you are concerned, then perhaps you should hire some kind of entertainment.  In a church setting, you could have a magician or another performance group, such as a string quartet.  Contact the church receptionist and ask for a few references.  They will probably have other ideas from past weddings.

Best wishes!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 7

I'm in the same boat.

I'm going to have some activities for the kids. This way they'll keep busy and it'll look great in photos and video.

I was thinking of a couple of pretty speeches to add to it all.

1. You can make it entertaining by getting a family member to do stand up comedy about love and marriage.

2. Do a slide show (some photographers offer it for free). Just add some fun into it all and don't make it very serious or dramatic.

3. You can make a game or contests to win the centerpieces. http://www.freearticles.com/article/Acti...

http://www.torontobrides.com/wedding_gam...

4. You can get stained glass pieces (no sharp edges) and get a couple of metallic glass pens and have everyone write on the glass pieces and hang it on a tree or some other sort of hanger for you.

5. you can have the kids sing a little song

6. not sure if you can do karoke but that'd be good too?

This is good! It's helping me too!! I'll think of more for you :)

Just don't make it overly religious, full of sad stories, or alot about you or people will tune it all out.

ADD ON:

You basically need to think of activities that would be entertaining when they're sitting down and ways to get them up and mingle, like a desert buffet, etc.

Also, you can get really nice masks with feathers and all and add a bit of flair to it all.

ADD ON 2:

Have an elder who everyone knows (like your dad/uncle or his dad/uncle) read a list of prayers but in a humorous style. Like: "I pray that he will always bring you a cup of coffee in the mornings and not nag when you want extra milk".. and he can have the last prayer/hope more sincere and sweet. :)

Answer 8

Maybe you could ask each guest to prepare an interesting story about you and your fiance?  People could go around and share fun times.  You could even just ask a few and one person's story may prompt another guest to think of one.

Answer 9

All the weddings I have been to only a couple were like what you were planning. Unfortunately it seemed like everyone took off after the food was served. There was no reason to hang around. I understand your religious beliefs but I'm afraid it will be a short reception. Personally I don't drink alcohol but its the dancing that keeps me at a reception. Good luck.

Answer 10

I think keep the reception short and sweet that way it just feels like you went to a ceremony, had a toast afterwards, maybe a dinner or just consider appies and then some speeches and perhaps a slide show of pics and some coffee and cake and to me, that would be more than enough ;)

Answer 11

We aren't having dancing at our wedding either. At a few weddings/receptions I have been to recently, they have set up a few different alternatives. If you can find old pictures of your fiance', old pictures of yourself, and pictures of you together throughout your relationship, you can set up a small slideshow and have it playing. It would give the guests something to do while they were mingling. I have also seen some ideas of putting small card games on your tables. Like a few trivial pursuit cards. This gives the guests a chance to get to know each other and avoid the awkward silent moments. Good luck!

Answer 12

Just mingle with the families,talk about old times.

Answer 13

If your religion doesn't permit dancing, and I assume many of your family members and friends belong to the same religion, they probably won't be expecting dancing anyway.  Maybe you could just stand around and talk like a regular house party.  You didn't mention if there will be alcohol there or not.  No offense to you or your religion, but the few weddings I've been to with no alcohol or dancing were super lame.  Maybe you can liven it up a bit with some games or something.