Making Our Reception ‘Un-Boring’

Making Our Reception ‘Un-Boring’

February 23rd, 2011 @ 4:55 pm by Mrs. Jaguar
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I have a question to ask that might be a little strange, but I’m going to go ahead and put it out there anyway: have you ever or did you ever worry that your reception was going to get boring?

I’m not talking about to you as a couple, more about the enjoyment of things from the perspective of your guests. I’m still yet to finalise our time-line for the wedding yet, but I’m already starting to get a little nervous that our do will be a fairly run-of-the-mill event.

Like many bees before me, there are quite a few activities we’re skipping. Miss Prairie Dog touched on the omission of the garter toss and bouquet toss just last week—something that made me breathe a huge sigh of relief, because that has never been on the cards for the Jaguar wedding. A lot of our reasons are similar, but also, our guests are mostly older family members. We don’t have a lot of young, rowdy single folks on our invite list, so they would be unnecessary and more than a little awkward traditions that just don’t fit.

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So I guess my question is, is dinner and dancing enough? Because apart from the traditional entrance, the first dances, the guest book signing and the speeches, I envision the rest of the night to be spent eating, drinking and being merry. Only what happens if the merriment never really takes off?

We’re not having a photobooth due to the size restrictions of the venue. I’m thinking of possibly setting up a ‘well wishes’ activity of some sorts on each of the tables, but that’s about all I’ve got. I feel like I’m missing something vital in the ‘how to throw a good party’ handbook, so I’m hoping that the munchies, bevvies, and tunes will do the trick.

I’d love to hear of how your event panned out and how your guests spent their day/evening. Are there any awesome activities you think made the difference?

Tags: reception, sydney |

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39 Responses to “Making Our Reception ‘Un-Boring’”

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Member

Miss Palmetto (message) 52 posts, Worker bee

You will be fine! I would turn the question around and say, have you ever been bored at a wedding that had both booze and dancing? Honestly, while fun, things like photo booths are “extras” and not required for a good time, at least in my book!

2/23/11 @ 5:01 pm (reply)

Member

MrsWall2B (message) 160 posts, Blushing bee

I think that you will be fine. Honestly i never even considered the idea that people might be bored. Everyone is coming to see you and your honey get married so they should have a great time regardless. Plus as long as their is good music, people will be fine! add in alcohol and you cant go wrong lol. But even without the alcohol, i find that music and good friends are always a good time.

2/23/11 @ 5:19 pm (reply)

Member

Denali (message) 296 posts, Helper bee

@Miss Palmetto: Agreed!

People will have fun regardless Since you have a somewhat older crowd, maybe make this clear to your DJ, and make sure there is music that they will want to dance to.

2/23/11 @ 5:20 pm (reply)

Member

bRooklynRocks (message) 3,767 posts, Honey bee

@Denali: Exactly!! Make sure the DJ reads the crowd. Once there is alcohol, good food and good music. The party will take off. What time is the reception? I hope it doesn’t go too late into the night. The older folks may get tired. Other than that, I’ve always had fun at weddings and have never glimpsed a photobooth at one. Nor have I seen any activities.

2/23/11 @ 5:30 pm (reply)

Member

Rgeddy (message) 2,186 posts, Buzzing bee

we conqured this by having corn hole at our wedding. We’re not huge dancers so we had a DJ and a small dance floor but nobody danced until the very end. most of the time we had ‘meriment’ which included people gathering around cornhole games and enjoying the outdoors.

2/23/11 @ 5:31 pm (reply)

Bee

Mrs. Taco (message) 950 posts, Busy bee

I was afraid of this, definitely. We didn’t have a DJ as much as we had a friend MC running the laptop, so the onus was more on people to get down. We DID have a photo booth, so that functioned as entertainment along with the dancing.

For your other activity, a well-wisher station might be a good idea. “Write a note to the bride and groom and hang it here” kind of thing.

We considered lawn bowling at first, when we thought we had to entertain people on grass during cocktail hour. Always a crowd-pleaser.

2/23/11 @ 5:39 pm (reply)

Guest

curly chemist

There is always the shoe game since it is free!:
http://www.dj-tips-and-tricks.com/wedding-game-shoe-game.html

I think it is more common in Europe but it is a good way for guests on both sides to get to know the bride and groom. I would though say that you need to make sure that the question asker uses a mic and make sure it is done in a central location (ie dance floor) so that everyone can see.

2/23/11 @ 5:44 pm (reply)

Guest

This strikes me as being along the lines of “over programming” your wedding. Seriously, when you have a party, what do you have? friends, food, booze, and music.

I don’t think of a photo booth as even remotely increasing the “fun” aspect, sorry. I thought that was for couples who wanted those photos after the fact.

I mean … it’s not a bar mitzvah …

2/23/11 @ 5:54 pm (reply)

Member

SqueakySquirrel (message) 43 posts, Newbee

If dinner, drinks, and dancing has you feeling worried about boring - I’m having lunch, no dancing (other than the ceremonious stuff and background music), and no alcohol. I’m a nervous wreck that everyone will just stand around the park looking bored!

I think maybe some bocce ball, horseshoes, or lawn darts off to the side will at least satisfy the kids, but what else can I do to entertain the adults? At least it won’t be a full 4 hour reception - we’re looking at about two hours for lunch.

2/23/11 @ 6:05 pm (reply)

10.

Member

helloanne (message) 31 posts, Newbee

@SqueakySquirrel: Our reception is also a lunch, with an early morning ceremony. I can definitely relate to your worry of people being bored, but on the other hand I have only a 3 hour reception a far distance away from most of my guests, that now I am really concerned with making it *worth it* for them to attend. UGH!

We added a performance by a professional dancer, a dj, and a photobooth in order to add some interest after the long, full length Catholic Mass ceremony…
(it is a mini-destination wedding, in Atlantic City in our home state of NJ, between Philadelphia where we live and the Jersey shore where our families are from)

2/23/11 @ 6:25 pm (reply)

11.

Member

TinyTina (message) 3,312 posts, Sugar bee

I worry about this too and we’re even having a photo booth. Usually I find myself saying “Will the guests even use it?” I think it’s normal to have thoughts like this from time to time. But let’s be honest, you guys sound like super fun hosts and you’ll be surrounded by your family and closest friends. And that’s all you REALLY need to have a rockin’ party.

2/23/11 @ 6:46 pm (reply)

12.

Bee

Mrs. Trail Mix (message) 6,328 posts, Bee Keeper

I think it’s normal to be concerned about this but I have never, ever in my entire life been to something where there was free alcohol and music and NOT had a blast…So I’m pretty sure it’s gonna be greeeeat!

2/23/11 @ 7:21 pm (reply)

13.

Member

Mrs. Twinkletoes (message) 48 posts, Newbee

We are thinking about a photo booth, but also omitting the garter toss. I still may throw the bouquet (even though, now that I think of it there won’t even be THAT many single ladies in attendance!), but I was once the recipient of a garter from a shy and embarrassed 17 year old kid who was begging his Dad not to tell his girlfriend. Have no desire to subject anyone to that on my wedding day!

I think— drinks and music — a good party make!!!!

2/23/11 @ 7:26 pm (reply)

14.

Guest

Erin

Definitely not- booze and dancing make any party fun! Maybe add a fun guestbook signing, some commemorative pics on the table….what about an i-spy photo hunting activity? I happen to know that Mrs Meercat has one all done that she might be happy to send your way

2/23/11 @ 8:30 pm (reply)

15.

Member

taupec (message) 143 posts, Blushing bee

Our theme is tropical/luau. We will have 3 luau dancers entertain for 30mins. They will request crowd/guest participation. We will also play the shoe game.

Good luck!

2/23/11 @ 8:37 pm (reply)

16.

Guest

On The%2BGo%2BBride

I think dancing and drinks will make any reception fun! If you aren’t doing the photobooth and want to add in another fun factor, my suggestion would be to have a bag of props that you bring out towards the end of the night. With wigs, fake mustaches, hats, funny glasses, etc. People get so into using props on the dance floor and having a fun time with them.

2/23/11 @ 8:47 pm (reply)

17.

Bee

Miss Tartlet (message) 3,207 posts, Sugar bee

Thanks for writing about this, Jag. I’ve also worried that this kick-@$$ party we’re trying to host will turn into a dud. We’re also doing straight dinner and dancing, so it’s comforting to read responses that say it’s enough!

2/23/11 @ 8:51 pm (reply)

18.

Member

ittybittypeanut (message) 5 posts, Newbee

OMG I am so glad that someone else had corn hole! My wedding is April 9th, the ceremony is at 4:00, we are having a casual-esque sit down dinner/outside reception and we are going to have corn hole set up for people to play We are also considering a few small tables with board games/card games during cocktail hour. And since most of our young friends know how to party….. Rockband and beer pong for the “after party” party

2/23/11 @ 9:58 pm (reply)

19.

Bee

Miss Cinnamon Bun (message) 1,100 posts, Bumble bee

I worry about this a lot too… it seems from the comments like we’re not alone though! I think it is a natural worry to have.

2/23/11 @ 10:10 pm (reply)

20.

Bee

Miss Biscuit (message) 624 posts, Busy bee

Dinner+drinks+dancing=a blast. I’ve never been to a wedding with the extra stuff and as long as there has been that combination, Ive had an amazing time.

2/23/11 @ 10:42 pm (reply)

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