No dancing at reception?!

I don't think there's anything that will really replace dancing at a celebration. Why not plan a short and sweet reception, earlier in the day would be best. Ceremony, cocktail hour, a meal, cake cutting and done.

Look up wedding games on Pinterest!

Just because you don't like dancing, doesn't mean your guests wont. FH and I don't dance so we are also having a photobooth to entertain the non dancers. Kids have a lot of energy and would probably love to dance, and I'm sure would be fun to watch.

Wedding games are boring, awkward and people want to drink, dance and mingle not get stuck watching the shoe game.

My fiancé and I aren’t big on dancing either. We have a bunch of wedding games and yard games planned out! Look on Pinterest it helped me out a lot!

You both could be mingling instead of dancing the whole time. It would be nice for your guests to have the option to dance, or play games if they would like. In my opinion, dancing is a very big part of a wedding.

I’ve been to over a dozen weddings by now and I don’t think I’ve ever been to one that didn’t have any dancing at all! I guess games could be fun, if they aren’t too cheesy. Btw the bride and groom barely got to dance at some of the weddings I’ve been to because they were going around and greeting all their guests. So even if you do decide to have some dancing, it doesn’t mean you will have to dance a lot, although I’m sure that some people will try to drag you out to the dance floor. Some kids really love to dance btw, and I think everyone usually has fun dancing with kids, even people who generally don’t like to dance much.

Corn hole and jenga are always fun. I know lota of brides of did it. And it was a huge hit im having dancing and Jenga at my wedding. You can also do a little scavenger hunt there are tons of examples on Pintrest.

We are not doing a first dance or the parent dancing - however we will be dancing and letting our guest dance! We aren’t fond of it either but I plan on just having fun and probably drinking a little to take the edge off lol we are probably going to take some dance lessons before but we have a while before the wedding - but I get what you mean about feeling awkward... But you guys are also going to be so busy with just everything going on (cake, photography, eating, etc.) that I don’t think you are going to need alternatives but I would definitely let your guest dance and have fun. A good dj can also help by getting people out there to dance doing different things but we are probably going to do the shoe game, and then we’ll have bouquet and garter toss. But like others have mentioned, I can’t imagine the point of having a reception if there isn’t going to be dancing - just because you guys don’t wanna dance doesn’t mean you shouldn’t let your guest, especially kids (I always love watching kids dance at weddings).

Kids (and adults) want to dance... you could definitely get away with not dancing and just mingle and talk to people and take photos with everyone while others have fun dancing.

Dancing gives the wedding a completely different atmosphere and there isn't anything you can really do to replace it. If you're determined not to have any, stick with background music and mingling. People don't need or want extra activities to keep them busy, they're content to just talk amongst themselves. Just be prepared for people to leave earlier

We aren’t doing dancing. Or bouquet toss, garters, toasts, speeches etc.
we also aren’t doing games- defin NOT for us.

we are getting married. Taking pics.
Going to restaurant and sitting down and eating dinner with our family/guests. It’s going to be more like a thanksgiving type meal without the football game on tv. Everyone just at one big table. As if we just are eating a meal together. Then just like dining any other time when we are done we will pay our bill and leave.

if you are having it at a typical wedding venue and have a lot of people... then I could see dancing being important.
you could also think of it as a mingling party. Imagine you had a Xmas party, housewarming party etc.
people come, eat, hang out, chat. No games or dancing.

View Quoted Comment We went to my uncles wedding in 2011, while there was a dance floor and DJ no one danced except for my 4yr old and another 5 yr old. That’s it-the entire 3 hours of reception. There was even alcohol but still no one danced.

Instead of dancing y'all could be mingling or play games from Pinterest. I wouldn't always be dancing on the floor and I like dancing. But just because you both do not like dancing doesn't mean your guests don't. I haven't heard of a wedding without dancing.

We aren’t doing dancing either! We may do a first dance, but not having any type of dj, just some music in the background. There will be outside games & a photo booth and I’m planning on doing mad libs/ some sort of table games to keep people occupied. Most importantly, do what YOU want!!

View Quoted Comment I could not agree more. There's no switch out and still have a traditional reception. The right crowd might gather round a piano and sing standards from the American songbook but that's not really a "instead of dancing" it's a whole different thing, when it sounds like you want a traditional reception just without dancing.
I think the idea of a short afternoon reception probably does suit you best.

Perhaps you could bring in games, lawn or board, or have entertainers, or maybe bring in some casino games.

We're not doing dancing, we're just having excellent food and drinks and good company.

We’re doing a cocktail party style reception. No cake cutting, no toasts other than us thanking everyone for choosing to use their Saturday evening to celebrate with us, no spotlight dances, no designated eating time. However we will have a DJ and an open bar. He will be instructed to read the crowd- he’ll be playing oldies and whatever but if people start drinking and seem like they want to dance then he’ll switch to the appropriate music. Otherwise our guests are adults and are capable of being in a social environment for 4 hours without need party games. Sorry but games just feel like a children’s birthday party....because children are not capable of politely entertaining themselves for 4 hours.

Did one of you have some sort of traumatic experience while dancing? If not, then please provide some music and a space for your guests to dance. I don't think there's any activity that would replace it.

Lots of alcohol.