"Cake and punch" reception- no dancing?

I'd really think about whether this is truly what you want.

It's normal not to have dancing at a cake and punch reception. Whether or not that will suit you is something only you can answer. I wouldn't expect dances in a church reception room, though.

I love that it would be at the church (that's what we wanted in the very beginning), and more of a relaxed atmosphere compared to a whole day ordeal. First dance has just always been a given in my head. FH said that we could always have our "first dance" privately when we arrived to our honeymoon suite, which is a really sweet idea. Im just not 100% sure...

- Set up something so you can dance outside?

Mmmm sounds like this is not what you want! Think about it this way... your wedding which hopefully will be only once on your lifetime should be the day you always dreamed about! The day you get to have fun, dance, and celebrate your love with all your family and friends! Don't waste that opportunity just to save a few $... to have a boring cake and punch "reception" your wedding is still far away! Save some extra cash each month and make it work! Get the wedding you dreamed about! Good luck

@DandJ, that may work, I hadn't thought about that. Thanks for the suggestion!

@Laura to be honest it's not what I would have ever imagined it to be, but unfortunately we've had multiple setbacks with the savings. It is a while aways still, but we wanted to be safe and make sure that we would be able to plan something we could actually afford..

@FB99 the guest list isn't finalized, but we have a personal limit of 80.

@Rebekah it sounds like you and your FH are going to be good and measured decision makers as a team - it's not worth blowing your finances for one day, even one very special day.

That being said, you can throw a great party on a budget! Even if there isn't space for a full dance floor, I have to imagine there would be enough space to clear a little room for the two of you alone to do a first dance at least, since it sounds like that is meaningful to you. It's all about getting creative, and then celebrating your union!

@FB99 I would love to, and probably would be able to cut it down to that many, if my mom was not insisting on so many people that I could do without lol. She paid for my dress so I feel a little obligated for her to have a say as well.

Paying for your dress does not buy guest tickets.

You could do a very small guest list with music and dancing at a nice restaurant and have the wedding you want.

Without alcohol and proper food, I neither have enough liquid courage nor sufficient fuel to dance. So that'd be a no for me from the guest perspective. Sounds like a super awkward arrangement alla junior prom.

I'm with Desert Polar Bear. Make room for just a couple people to dance and have the ceremony you've always wanted and still have your first dances too

Cut your guest list and have a proper wedding reception. The words "short reception" will take on a new meaning.

To be honest, think about what you really really want.

If at the end of the day you are happy with cake/punch go for it. And if you really want a first dance, go for it. Just assume that no one else is dancing and your dances are just formalities and no one else will dance with you.

It's not strange to me because whenever I witnessed a father/daughter dance or couple first dance, all the guests were usually seated and just watched. Now granted it should not be a long dance so I imagine that it can also work for cake/punch if guests are just mingling etc.

But I do agree with other PP that just taking your nearest and dearest out to a nice restaurant can be better and more special.

As a guest, if I'm attending a cake and punch reception, I would prefer there be no dancing.

ETA: If just you and FH danced, I wouldn't mind watching. But I would not want it to drag on any longer. Cake and punch should last about 2 hours

Yes, the only thing that I'm concerned about would be the first dance for FH and I. I wouldn't expect others to come out and dance, just a short dance between the two of us. I understand many wouldn't feel like dancing anyways because of the lack of actual meal and alcohol.

If it's important to you to have those dances, I'd have those dances. Pp are right; guests probably won't want to dance but you two still can. Maybe after the ceremony, take private time with just you and fh to have your first dance. Or how much room do you really need? Invite a few less people and have that dance. It seems to mean a lot to you and I know how budget restraints can force you to change up a vision. This seems like something you could still do

I have never attended a wedding and punch reception, however I will be attending one next year. I was actually shocked to hear my friend say she will have dancing at hers. For some reason I thought if there is not going to be a meal, it will be a short reception and it wouldn't have the elements of a traditional one. That being said, I applaud that you want to stay within the budget you want to be in. I actually thought that my friend should elope instead of having a reception that will blow the money she could have spent buying furniture and things for her future home. I once went to a 25 year vow renewal, and the couple did an impromptu (or so it seemed) dance in the church foyer, everyone gathered around to watch and I am sure it was a special moment for them.