No Dancing and dj Alternatives for wedding?

Move the wedding to a brunch/day time so guest do not expect dancing as much. A friend had a brunch wedding without dancing and that was the ONLY time this went over well.

The other time was an evening wedding, the bride and groom danced, then it was games. Half the people left before food was served.

I really like that idea! If it’s something you want then you guys should absolutely do it! You could do both board games and outdoor games like cornhole and possibly make it a competition between the guests ( My FH and I would do this bc we are very competitive)
and as a way of letting your guests know you could put it on the rsvp maybe and then ask them what their favorite board game is, kind of how you ask for a preference for food? Just a thought! Good luck with this!

I think this falls under the know your crowd topic. A reception is for the guests to thank them for attending your wedding, even if you and your FH dont want to dance, if you think most of your guests would enjoy it then have a dj and dancing. If you think most would avoid it too then dont have any dancing at all. I think it would be more awkward to have spotlight dances but no guest dancing. Just understand that for the most part, if you want the wedding to be a big party all night long that probably wont happen. As another poster said, it might be a better option for a brunch wedding.

If you are looking for ideas....cornhole, jumbo jenga, jumbo connect 4, jumbo yahtzee are all fun games.

If you don’t think your guests will miss it, a nice playlist as background music is fine. I’ve been to several 40-50 person weddings and with great food & drinks, there was plenty of loud socializing. No DJ/dancing required.

Are you dead set on not having dancing at all because you never had the opportunity to dance as a couple? My FI and I are in the boat of only dancing once as a couple and he’s too proud to get lessons, but I don’t want to rule out dancing with my dad, or him with his mom or all the other couples that love to dance at our church. A lot of things feel better after you dance awhile with your partner. I know the high school I went to discouraged dancing, but when it comes down to it it’s a form of human expression. I’ve meant people from Sri Lanka whose tribal doctors use dance as a means of treating sickness.

You could do lots of games and interactive Q and As

View Quoted Comment I definitely think we are going to move it to a chill Sunday Brunch wedding. Now we just need to find a venue that can accommodate!!

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Yea we were thinking of doing board games on each table (or having a section where you can grab board games like at a convention, as well as some other activities. I don't know about outdoor games though, that'll depend on the venue we can find in the area that lets us bring our own caterer (or has a good brunch menu). I was thinking of having a poll on the wedding website in the RSVP section where people can vote on games and I would get all of the data to determine which games should be at which table and which (if any) should be "al a carte".

Thank you for your insight!

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I still will have a playlist playing and (if there is room) a place where people can dance if they want to. i mean, I made a killer playlist it would be great if people danced to it. However, I would prefer the focus to just be spending quality time together and hanging out to celebrate. We may even get a photobooth or some kind of setup like that to give people something fun to entertain themselves with. Definitely think we are going with a brunch wedding, then (hopefully) inviting people to an "after party" at our house to just eat pizza and play Mario Kart! haha

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Awesome! Thank you! I think that is what I personally would prefer and since most of the guests are either introverts like me or older family members I think it will be fun!

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I think it is mostly that I don't really want a DJ. The DJs i have met have just been, too much, and my father (who died a few years back) was an AMAZING DJ and I just don't think I can stomach trying to find someone else without him around anymore. I love slow dancing with my FH and my family and friends, but I don't want the focus on that. Partially because I hate loud noises but also because I really don't think I can go through the process of finding a DJ that matched my standards without paying most of the wedding budget. I would rather spend the money on games or activities that promote conversation so that our two families can come together.

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That's what I was thinking too! I need to go searching on Pinterest for ideas

In all honesty if you have a first dance I think you need to let others dance. Other wise for guest who like to dance it is a tease. Also my fiancé and Ido not line danceing but are looking forward to going to the tables and talking when everyone else is dancing.

If it's an evening reception you should probably have an option for dancing - you and your fiance don't have to dance you can do whatever you want!

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Well like I've said above, we are still going to have music and (room permitting) a space where people can dance. We just won't be hiring a DJ so the focus will not be on dancing. We still plan on having the first dance, and mother of the bride / mother of the groom dances and then after that the playlist I've been working on will play over the speakers and if people want to dance they can, I probably will when some of the songs come on, but that's about it.

View Quoted Comment I agree with this. Still provide the option for dancing, especially of your doing the spotlight dances. For activities, if want board game is would just set up a table that had options for people to pick and choose. I wouldn't worry about it been too structured.

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We are doing a Sunday brunch wedding so it doesn't seem like it is that big of a deal or anything to not have the focus be on dancing.

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True, i was thinking of maybe having a "recommended game" on each table as a part of the centerpiece, but then having al a carte games like card games and things on another table for people to grab. I've seen it done at game conventions before and, since my FH and I are both game nerds who spend our time at game conventions, I thought it would be fun!

You know your crowd more than anyone. Me personally, I HATE board games. Corn hole though, that's awesome!

We are having an evening wedding. cocktails, appetizers, and dessert stations. We are doing our own playlist Jazz music. Maybe one dance with our guests. Then possible slide show of how we met and our adventures and journey leading up to our engagement including our adventures with our friends. A friend of mine did a photo booth and Karaoke.