Church Wedding Ceremony followed by Sit Down Dinner Reception- HELP!

The biggest way to keep this from being boring is to keep it relatively small, with the people who are closest to you. For example, if you invite just family, they will likely have a great time just catching up with each other, even if there is no other entertainment. We had a lunch reception after our wedding, and reserved the place for 2 hours. Everyone ended up staying for 2.5 hours, and pretty much having to be forcibly removed by the restaurant at the end of that time.

The problem arises when people start inviting 200 people. If you do that, you're inviting a lot of people who don't know you, or the other guests, all that well. Without dancing or other entertainment, these people are going to have to end up making conversation with a bunch of strangers for several hours, which just becomes uncomfortable.

As for the after party, it can take one of two forms. One is a hosted party, in which you pay for people's food and drinks. For that, you really need to invite everyone, although probably the older people will not come. Alternatively, you could have a nonhosted party, in which you just tell people, "We're going to be at XYZ bar after the reception; do feel free to come by and say hello." For that, you shouldn't send formal invitations. but just let people know by word of mouth.

I agree with everything PP said. If it is a big guest list, you could just play an iPod so drunk friends can dance if they feel like it.

Serve alcohol and people will entertain themselves. Photo booth will give guests something to do? I've been to weddings where the dance floor was not packed and they are still fun

Everything 2d said. Keep the guest list small and intimate, have a great dinner with nice live music and the party will take care of itself! If you're not excited to throw a giant party, then don't do that!!

As long as you have music playing, people will entertain themselves by dancing (even if you don't) and talking to each other! Photobooths are fun if you can swing it, or they are relatively easy to DIY. Guests really don't need to be entertained- as long as there is food, music and alcohol they will entertain themselves!

Also, change your avatar to something other than the rings- it will help you get more responses!

Are you set on a night wedding? You could save money and remove the "party and Dance" expectation by having a lunch reception.

Thank you all for the wonderful responses!!!! We are inviting 80 people. Majority are family and immediate close friends. This eases my mind because I don't want folks to be bored. But we also don't want to throw this big lavish party when that's not what we want. As far as the party party I think your ideas of just having it at a bar like hey... This is where we will be feel free to stop by. That's a good approach. God, this is so stressful. Thank you all for the advice. FYI- I updated my picture.