Dance-free wedding reception
Reception Advice
By
on November 19, 2007
91
My fiance and I are having a bit of trouble (okay, a lot of trouble) figuring out how to entertain our guests during our reception. The whole dinner and dancing thing really doesn't suit us, but when I've asked for advice from the "professionals" in our area, their eyes glaze over at the thought of not having a father-daughter dance, etc, etc. —Lauren
As a semi-retired raver, I simply can't imagine not dancing — but I realize that's MY brand of weird and not everyone else's. If you don't like dancing, ug: there's nothing worse than hosting a miserable, requisite dance floor that you spend the whole night avoiding.
Luckily for you, there are lots of non-dancing options for your guests …
First off, the easiest way to avoid the expectation of dancing is to have your wedding earlier in the day — have a brunch wedding or afternoon reception. No-one expects to cut a rug at 2pm. Your guests won't even notice the lack of dancing because you're breaking the whole "wedding/dinner/reception with dancing" template. Brunch weddings are rad. You get to serve mimosas!
If you're going for a backyard or garden wedding in the afternoon, you can keep your guests entertained with lawn games like croquet or badminton — imagine the photos!
For an evening/indoors reception, you definitely have your work cut out for you. Old habits die hard, and people come with their expectations clutched like little sequined handbags from hell. A couple ideas to keep the non-dancing guests busy could be a wedding photobooth (how much did you love the one at Katie's wedding?), fortune tellers (psychics are fun!), or even wedding karaoke, as per the Pixels.
That said, never underestimate the value of good food and booze and a little background music. If you keep people happy with lots to eat and drink, chances are good that no-one will miss the dancing.
(Looking for even more ideas? Ask.metafilter has a few!)
Read more posts about: brunch wedding, dancing, day wedding, karaoke, no dancing, photobooth, reception« Previous post
About Ariel Meadow Stallings
Author of Offbeat Bride: Creative Alternatives for Independent Brides, Ariel acts as the publisher of all the Offbeat Empire websites. She lives, loves, and dorks out hard in Seattle, WA.
Jennifer said
My best friend and her husband are very traditional, and he doesn't like dancing at all. When they got married they chose a lovely venue with a room full of distinguished leather sofa's and 'rich mahogany'. After the meal they had everyone congregate there where fine wine and good conversation were encouraged.
Now, this was all before I knew them and so I wasn't present at the wedding, but they said it was a lovely and enjoyable evening for all, and actually went down really well. The venue and entertainment choice was also a reflection of the couple which, after all, is what a wedding should be!
Yes, most people will expect dancing, but as Ariel said, they probably won't miss it. Stick to your guns, even though it's really really hard to sometimes, and choose one of the non-dancing options. Remember how much fun the Pixel wedding looked!
The only dress code we're specifying is 'dancing shoes'… but then that's a reflection of us!
nell said
love love love it!! i was recently married and AM having a dance b/c we all love to dance but i have also djed for about 6 years and have done so many weddings for people who HATE to dance and have dj simply b/c they think it is the "righ" thing to do! What a waste of money (theirs) and time (mine).
Anna said
I like to dance, he doesn't, so we're splitting the reception. There will be dancing under the tent, and outside the tent with be a croquet court and a box of frisbees, balls and various other outdoor activities. So there will be a little something for everyone.
I love the wine and conversation idea, that sounds really lovely
Mudge said
Sometimes unplanned dancing can be much better than planned dancing! At our reception this past September, we did a heavy appetizer buffet and had the Ipod going all night. We spent months picking the playlists and had a natural progression from slower "mood" music before the ceremony to fun music during "dinner" to dancier music during dessert (ice cream social!). There was a small section of the room left open in case anyone felt like dancing but there were no planned father/daughter dances, first dances, etc. A lot of people danced anyway (who can't get in the mood with Journey's "Don't Stop Believing"?), including my mom (think Martha Stewart meets Betty Crocker) which led to some amazing candid photos! I think as long as it isn't forced, it will feel much more natural and fun!
teri said
My geeky buddies get bad-prom flashbacks near dance floors, so we figured we'd spare everyone the trouble and skip it. Were going to have card games, puzzles, and the like to amuse our small, nerdy bunch. They can help break the ice between people who dont know each other, and its letting us have a much cozier venue.
Colyn said
Hoops! I like to call them party hoops, as they are the adult version of the Hula Hoop (trademark). That's what my groom and I had at our reception, and they were a smash hit. We didn't serve alcohol, and this really loosened people up. We made ours from scratch — fairly cheap for parts and decoration — and had enough to fill the dance floor with adults who haven't hooped since they were kids. Right after our first dance, we grabbed a hoop and the new married couple started the fun. After that it was a free-for-all. You can find instructions on the web on how to make them. I highly suggest it as it's a hoot!
Ariel said
OMG, Colyn. I'm so embarrassed for myself. Me, co-founder of hooping.org. Me, the woman who had dozens of hula hoops at her wedding. Me, the author who's book was originally called "And the Bride Wore A Hula Hoop" — all this, AND I FORGOT TO SUGGEST HOOPING AT A RECEPTION!?
I'm so ashamed.
Here are instructions on how to make your own hula hoops.
amy said
We did lawn games at our wedding and it was soo fun. Hula Hoops and those bizarre throwing games with velcro (you know)? Amazing.
Also, I'm shooting a wedding in Sept where there will be no dancing. Instead, the reception is being held at an arts venue, and they're going to do a concert/open mic night. … I am very much looking forward to it!
Jaymie said
Thank you so much for this post!
We both hate to dance, and are too shy to even really try in front of others =P So, we, of course, have been searching for ideas for entertainment.
I thought about having one of those zoologist who exhibit exotic animals at schools and fairs and such. But then I thought, nah…only I would like that and the guests aren't 4th graders =(
I love the photobooth idea, though! Where would rent/buy one?
Ariel said
Try searching for "photobooth rentals" or asking your photographer to set one up for you. That's what we did — I wrote about it in the book and included some tips.
Jennifer said
Amy, I love your open mic night idea! People can sing, play instruments, tell jokes…. whatever!
I also forgot to mention that we're having a quiz. We thought it would be really good fun, and help all the guests to mix during dinner. Our wedding is all day, and we are having dancing, so the quiz will be handed out during dinner. There's nothing to say you can't mix up your seating arrangement (if you're having one) after dinner to mix the teams up a bit, and have it for the evening entertainment! We're even having a podium made up with special prizes for the winning teams
) (we're both very keen mountain bikers so it seemed fitting).
Would love to hear what you end up choosing
)
PS – has anyone had a photobooth in the UK?
Cate said
Personally, I'd enjoy having a naturlist come with animals. You could do a Noah's Ark theme where they come two by two – a male and female of each species so you can see the difference. Not that I am into theme weddings but you could even carry it over into the decoration.
Cindy said
We had an afternoon garden reception. There was no space for dancing, but we did have a fabulous bluegrass trio play (with the groom as guest drummer). People enjoyed conversation and great food and didn't miss the dancing at all.
Other ideas from our friends' weddings:
Maypole dance (our friends did this and have a maypole party every year on their anniversary)
Photobooth with hats. Spice the photobooth up with fun hats and props.
nancy Swiezy said
A trend in NY is to do a European style wedding. were you sit down have a civilized meal and then dance after. This can even happen in two different rooms. It gets rid of that DJ running your wedding.
M said
Re: open mic night… there is a old Jewish tradition that it is a mitzvah (good deed) to treat the bride and groom like a king and queen for the night, and entertain them. So, you can ask for people to bring stories, jokes, dances, skits, etc to entertain the bride and groom, if you are doing a more 'traditional' Jewish wedding. I think one of the great things about this tradition is it gets everyone involved… tiny kids can get up and tell a joke, or do a dance, and so can your grandma. And the more people drink, the more fun its going to be. Anyway, what else are great traditions for, but for stealing? I often like truly old school wedding ideas because they are far more based on the values of community then our new school spend-a-holic wedding values.
Lily said
"I often like truly old school wedding ideas because they are far more based on the values of community then our new school spend-a-holic wedding values."
That is so true!
We will have dancing at our wedding, but we really want things be more organic, and for the dancing to just happen naturally. The last thing I want is a DJ with a mic making people do the YMCA dance.
Allison said
we'll have dancing at our wedding but no annoying DJ running things, but I really like the idea of card games etc. since my finace's family is big into cards.
it's a fall wedding and i want to set up the apple bobbing in air game thing.
you tie a string around the stem of apples and hang them from the ceiling. then people try to eat them without their hands.
Gertie said
love these ideas! i'm definately going to have some cards & a chess set & stuff at our reception now!( i hadn't thought of that!)
My fiance and i are in a band; we do mostly fun ('60s-70s) rock covers that most people know, and several of the cool, & less-popular Beetles tunes, with lots of original soulful/gyspy-like jams in the mix, too. After dinner, we're having a "concert"…a set of 10-12 tunes where honey and i will perform in 4-5 songs…then some recorded funk & stuff, and when the band feels like going back up to jam, they can do so. Also inviting everyone to bring tambourines, djembes, shakers, ANYthing…should be groovey… so whether people dance or not, it'll hopefully it'll at least be natural & organic!
Ashley said
Two words:
Guitar hero.
Gertie said
Hey Ashley,
i can't tell if that means you think it's a good idea (like, yay! what a fun time we're having) or bad, bad idea…
???
Are you thinking/warning me that someone may freak out a bit on the playing, or what?
We don't have those kinda players/friends, so i'm not too worried.
Sam said
I saw this on Meta-Filter and thought it was relevant.
http://ask.metafilter.com/75588/Why-cut-the-rug
Canadian bride said
Reading this post has been very helpful for us, as we're getting married at 11am and having a lunchtime reception. We've booked an Irish band for entertainment, but there will be no formal dance. We are also considering hiring a balloon artist for the kids and for the kids-at-heart.
Just remember that this is simply a big party and the first big party that you'll host together. Do it your way
Jessica said
giant yard Jenga
cut up a bunch of 2×4's to the same length, stack them and let people go at it.
An unconventional yard game if you go with yard games. Very fun and makes for great pics.
Kat said
We had a balloon artist at our brunch wedding – and many people have commented it was one of the more delightful weddings they've ever attended.
Meghan said
I really like these great ideas! My fiance & I aren't big dancers and we really didn't like the idea of a DJ taking over the reception. Our wedding will be next January & where we live it will be too cold to go outdoors to do much at all. Does anyone have any good suggestions for some fun, winter activities that we could do at the reception?