I need some wedding reception ideas!!

[Niluvani]

Hey Girls!

I'm getting married in November, in the court house. But we're going to have a nice reception with family and friends!

We'll have only about 40-50 people (my low guestimate) and my fiance's family probably wouldn't get up and dance (For some reason, they've never heard of doing this at a reception. weird! ) But we just dont have a lot of people anyway, to even make it worth buying a DJ or Live Band. (My family is in Minnesota and only a few will be flying in)

SO! Aside from, talking/eating/cake cutting/throw bouquet/garter

What else should we do?

I'm a terrible host so I have no ideas. What would you gals do to entertain the guests at your wedding reception when there is no dancing?

 

[Jennee26]

Nil - I got married in April and I had a DJ at my wedding cause I'm a dancing kind of girl and so are most of my people, however, most of the guests pretty much entertained themselves by talking. With most of our family coming from out of town, people hadn't seen eachother in awhile, they were using the time to catch up. Actually, the people I thought would dance the most didn't dance that much cause they were too busy gabbing. LOL. Maybe google some games or something that you would play at a family reunion or something? Also if you DO want music, dancing or not, what my mom and stepdad did when they got married was brought their CD player with a lot of CD's. They got married at the courthouse then did the reception like you are doing. These days, with the IPODS, or other MP3 players and portable speakers you could probably do this much easier.

 

[Mary Kay]

Have everyone bring family pictures, that should break the ice. Also we had polaroids at my daughters aniversary party. (also a small family thing at her house) We had every one pose with each other and sent the pictures home with them as gifts. Right now polaroid is out of business, but we found tons of the camera's and film rock bottom cheap on line. Disposable camera's are good too, make everyone a photographer.

 

[Jennee26]

Most everyone had their digi camera's at my wedding. It's interesting the pictures you get when you got about 75 people runnin around with cameras!

 

[Mary Kay]

I forgot to add "Congradulations!!" I hope you have a long and happy marrige. It took me a few practice ones, but three's the charm..33 years!

 

[Kelly79]

I got married in Reno, so no wedding. My family is from AK and a little...ok alot country, so receptions for my mom and sisters were pretty much the bouquet, garter, cake stuff with a buffet type meal. Other than that I avoid weddings AMAP (as much as possible).
I will say though, that people will often take the traditional obligation of hanging around until the wedded couple leave first, or at least do the cake (sorry but, this can be a real bore for those not into weddings) so my suggestion is to either keep it brief(if you do plan to abscond to a honeymoon or whatever) or to somehow dilineate where the more formal portion in which leaving would be kinda rude ends and the party/celebration part begins. Some couples do this by leaving to change out of their formal wear.

Then again some people have left the tradition behind and feel no compunction about leaving whenever they feel like it lol.

 

[Kate51]

Congratulations!
It will certainly be a day to remember, but I can't even imagine a Reception without music, Gosh, just the chicken dance would do!! We can't have a wedding around here without it, and of course a few drinks before helps a lot:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGcdGNlKifY

 

[Kelly79]

I got married in Reno, so no wedding. My family is from AK and a little...ok alot country, so receptions for my mom and sisters were pretty much the bouquet, garter, cake stuff with a buffet type meal. Other than that I avoid weddings AMAP (as much as possible).
I will say though, that people will often take the traditional obligation of hanging around until the wedded couple leave first, or at least do the cake (sorry but, this can be a real bore for those not into weddings) so my suggestion is to either keep it brief(if you do plan to abscond to a honeymoon or whatever) or to somehow dilineate where the more formal portion in which leaving would be kinda rude ends and the party/celebration part begins. Some couples do this by leaving to change out of their formal wear.

Then again some people have left the tradition behind and feel no compunction about leaving whenever they feel like it lol.

OMG! I feel like a twit, I forgot to say congratulations....well here goes... CONGRATULATIONS!, may many happy years follow, and may he never give you a reason too...8-o...uh nevermind, little mind

 

[BARENETTED]

If the inlaws do not want to dance - you should!

YouTube - JK Wedding Entrance Dance

I cant stop watching this! I love it.

 

[Mary Kay]

Boy you guys have never been to a Spanish/Italian/Cuban and sometimes all three in one family wedding! We used to crash them all the time, it only took one of our group to know somebody at the wedding to be welcome.

Dance! The old folks to the little kids were up and moving. The old guys behind the bar, ususally somebodys Uncle, gave us drinks. I never even heard of a pay as you drink bar until I was grown! ( it was at what we used to call a "anglo" wedding, stodgy and all proper.)

Food galore, sometimes catered but as everyone's Aunt was in the restaurant business..that was no problem. It started after the afternoon wedding and went on until the new couple hit the Bahama's. LOL It was hard to get them to go!

Bands were great but mostly it was a D.J. that played Salsa, Tango, Merengue, and Tarantella. They played a lot of music from Cuba, and for us kids anything that was popular at the time.I loved watching the grandparents do the twist, jerk or whatever! Even long after those dances were passe'.

That is what I did for entertainment on a Sunday afternoon until I was 18! Once in a while I was even invited..

 

[VA Slim]

Best wishes Niluvani......if you find a good DJ who is experienced at doing weddings.....he can pretty much take over for you in the entertainment area. He will consult closely w/ you on what music you would like, the timing of any speeches, toasts, introductions, etc. Actually a good DJ can run the venue and keep things going for you. Got to have the tunes for a night to remember. I guarantee people who never dance, will be on the floor.

 

[Kate51]

Very good advice, VA Slim!!! There you go, Niluvani, problem solved.
Would be a very smart investment towards your memory bank.