Apostolic/pentecostal wedding

I can't comment on this specific denomination, but I can offer some blanket advice.

My recommendation is to not force anything on anyone (not to say you plan on it or would be the type to do; this is a general statement) and keep in mind that the ceremony is for you and your FI, the reception is to thank your guests for joining you both to witness your union.

Respect your beliefs. Respect the varying beliefs of your guests. Be a proper host.

Other than that, your first post is a bit vague. Do you have any ideas you're ball-parking right now, OP?

The shoe game is always a good one. Both the bride and groom take off their shoes and exchange one of the pair for one of their partner's, so each of them is holding one of their own shoes and one of their partners. The couple sits back to back, so they can't see the other.

Someone you designate (dj or mc, or a family member) asks (pre-written and approved by you) questions that would be answered by each partner holding up the shoe of the person they think is most likely to/does what the question is talking about.

Example questions:

Who snores louder?

Who is the better cook?

Which person is a neat freak?

Whose job will it be to take out the trash?

Etc

@Fall Bride OP stated nothing about alcohol. Trying to instigate a hot topic. Her family and his family are both very religious obviously so most likely not, but that's OK.

Briella, you can't dictate what others post. It's a fair question that a lot of us have.

I give her credit, she didn't put down the games idea.

I'll bite. Assuming that your wedding will likely not have the things you don't do for religious reasons (dancing, non Christian music, alcohol etc.), it will be unfun.

Either you think of your non Christian guests so *they* have fun or you need to have a different vibe to your whole wedding. It can be lovely, it can be loving but fun? Not a whit.

If there isn't going to be dancing then a quick sit down dinner cake and punch is about it. Given the denominations you guys probably will be frowned on for a garter toss so get a throw bouquet and toss it. Check out some Christian love songs....I think Bebe Winans, John Grey, Ce Ce Winans, and 21:03 have some right off the top of my head ...to dance from and enjoy your evening. If your family would like a turn up then suggest an after party and go to that. It can be taxing but it can be done.

If you gonna do the after party then you wedding would need to be done early enough so the guests won't be out all night.

I think a late morning/earmarks afternoon ceremony with a cake and punch reception will be the only way to keep from offending anyone. If you do a full meal reception, your atheist guests will need to be offered alcohol, which would probably offend your religious guests. Having a meal reception with no alcohol would probably offend your atheist guests. A cake and punch reception dodges that bullet.

Have a ceremony followed by a sit down brunch reception. This way you won't have to worry about the lack of dancing.

I'd include traditional brunch drinks like mimosas and bloody marys, cut a cake and call it a day.

I agree with the sit down brunch reception

By don't dance do you mean all dancing or just "modern" dancing? I know a friend who is hiring a dance caller for part of their wedding reception, maybe you could do something like that if you just wanted more than dinner. Also, I know music that is not necessarily Christian, but is still God-honoring, because my fiance and I don't want to play music at our wedding that doesn't honor God either, but it doesn't necessarily all have to reference God. Family Force 5 is a good band to start with.

Hey girl! I think the idea of a sit down brunch reception sounds like a great idea, especially in your situation! You could make it very classy and very elegant. I'm not sure as far as activities go, but if you have a bunch that all know each other, socializing is always fun.

I went to an apostolic wedding and had fun! No drinks, no dancing but lots of great company and good food. There was a coffee bar and sundae bar that were very popular. I'm guessing most of your guests will be apostolic and those who arent probably know what they are walking into. I wouldn't change your religious traditions for the comfort of others. If people ask, be honest about the lack of alcohol, dancing etc and if they still want to attend they will!

Sorry for the double post, but I love @nolaishak's idea! Sundae bar = amazing.

UO: I have been a guest at my Mennonite and Apostolic friends' weddings. Neither of them served alcohol, neither of them had dancing, and I enjoyed myself at both.

Also love the Sunday brunch idea!!

I come from a similar background and all the weddings I've been to in my family/community were boring. No dancing, no drinking, no games, just eating and sitting.

For my cousin's wedding, I was the MC. It was a traditional wedding like you described, but we did a funny skit to start the evening, and also we played the shoe game. Instead of shoes, we used cut outs of the bride and groom's faces on sticks and the BP played along too. So some safe questions were : Who is a better driver? Who is a better cook? Who is most forgetful?

We had to stay away from questions that you'd only know if you lived together! The game went over really well, and we got a lot of compliments on it afterwards. This is the best you can expect if there is no dancing/drinking.

So my point is, keep it short and sweet, play a game, and have a brunch reception. Maybe spring for a photobooth so there is something for people to do other than sit and watch.

I don't know much about those religions but from what I do know, they are more similar to Mormons in their beliefs about alcohol so I wouldn't expect that.

I would suggest having an afternoon cake and punch reception since there will also be no dancing (I would assume based off what I know about the religions)

Are your guests that are not Pentecostal familiar with your beliefs? I wouldn't really expect alcohol or dancing at a Pentecostal wedding, even though I am not of that faith.

I will just echo others and say that an afternoon, cake-and-punch type reception sounds perfect for you. It can still be lovely and romantic, just not quite the "party" atmosphere that most people typically associate with weddings.

I would do selfie station. I grew up in a very strict church as well no dancing, alcohol, ect.

I would think a selfie station or photo booth would go over very well.

UO; I don't think god wants people to be this unhappy. No drinking? No dancing? Only Christian music? I don't know how to make that into a reception that would e comfortable for everyone unless everyone is exactly like you. Which is certainly a possibility.

These are all human made rules. God did not make these rules.

But that's another thread.

Do punch and cake after the church ceremony.