No Dancing

I'll also note that I'm sure most, if not all, of your guests know that the lack of dancing is part of your religion. And I'm sure since they are your friends and family, they will respect it and be delighted to attend.

I wouldn't be too concerned about low attendance due of the lack of dancing. Anyone who refuses to attend your wedding just because there is no dancing is childish and probably isn't worth inviting in the first place.

Agreed. I'm not that old, but honestly I can't think of anyone I know that specifically goes out to dance anymore, so I don't really think that's a necessity for weddings.

On the other hand, everyone I know goes out specifically for food and alcohol, so that is a necessity for any party.

@Kayla S just because I'm not having no dancing does not mean I have to elope. I can still celebrate and nothing should "crack you up." I feel that is very rude.

@Laura K no dancing or open bar, choice of red or white wine with dinner. That's it.

Thank everyone for their positive comments and helping me come up with some cool ideas. I really appreciate it. I will have background music that was never an issue. There will be things for the guests to do, which is mainly why I posted this thread just for more ideas. Just no dancing. But a beautiful brunch sounds good to me! Thanks again

I am having outside ceremony at our family home. Then family dinner at restaurant. Three to seven pm. No dancing.

Sounds like a boring wedding without dancing. What will people do all those hours to entertain themselves? You can only eat and people watch for so long

"David danced before the lord" Yep. That's right from the bible; I've actually preached on that scripture.

Another fine example of humans deciding what the writers (and yes, there was more than one) of the bible meant.

If you don't want dancing, you don't want dancing, but it might be a great time to shine a little flashlight into that closet.

Do a small wedding reception at a restaurant with background music; that could be lovely. Or do a brunch wedding with background music and that could be lovely too. I've done more than a few weddings with no dancing, and I have loved all of them, but they are not giant, long, let's stare at an empty dance floor affairs. They are tailored around the notion that it will be dinner, some conversation, cake and goodbye.

I'm not either but it's because the reception is more of a relaxed BBQ and there are only 24 people going to my wedding.

I went to a no-dancing wedding once. They also had no-alcohol. It was a super conservative wedding (the bride couldn't wear a strapless dress either). We all still had a good time. They served us a meal. They showed a video of the couple growing up and photos of them together. The groom sang a song to his bride. They still did the bouquet toss.

The cash bar wedding I went to a couple weeks ago DID have dancing, but nobody danced except the children. The groomsmen were pulling people onto the dance floor and they'd stay for the song and then walk off again. I was fine with the cash bar (to an degree) but being forced to dance was annoying.

So if you're only providing wine with dinner, then I think you're fine with no dancing as well since there won't be any alcohol really!

I have been to a few receptions without dancing- some were fun, some were less fun, but that seemed to depend a lot on the hosting and expectations. As long as you are okay with everything ending after a few hours, I think you're fine to not have dancing.

But, OP, I think the idea of a brunch wedding with a mimosa bar sounds like lovely. Have your wedding around 10 am, reception at 10:30-12:30- I wouldn't expect dancing at an event like this, but I still think it would be fun, just a different vibe.

We are not having dancing at our reception (also for religious reasons). I've been at lots of weddings without dancing and usually there is a dinner and slide show of photos and/or other entertainment. A couple of the weddings had a chance for guest to speak and share stories about the couple. We are having a full meal, live music, some games and a photo booth for us to get photos with all our guest and for guest to get photos. If most of your guests also don't dance no one will miss it. Just be confident about your principles and plans. If people make remarks let it go it's your wedding

I've been in 2 weddings where they didn't have any music. They had a ceremony with music when the bridal party and the bride walked down the isle, but not at the reception. I was kind of bummed they didn't have any at the reception. To each their own.

Is your theme Footloose?

We won't be having dancing. FH and I are shy so probably no spotlight dances. Definitely no father daughter dance. The majority of our guests also don't dance. My parents and his immediate family are the exception. We're doing a garden party style reception with lawn games in the afternoon. We are also doing a mimosa bar.

Oh right, I totally forgot that Jesus said "Thou shalt not have any fun"

Have a small intimate wedding, brunch wedding, or elope. We had 7 guests and a short ceremony, went to a fancy restaurant after. We didn't have dancing because it was so small, but if I went to a full blown evening wedding I would be annoyed if there was no dancing.

My wedding is in 14 days! Eek! And we are not having a DJ or any formal dancing. Reason being...because I don't want to! I love to dance but my venue is also holding an annual symphony performance that night so we are incorporating that instead. We are doing lots of food drinks and lawn games with background music until the symphony begins. I am also curious about others who haven't had a DJ or dancing.

Not to be rude, but do you mean no dancing at your reception? I think that's your personal choice. Good luck!

If you're doing no dancing, I'd suggest a brunch wedding or a dinner reception at a great restaurant

@sierra - I have been to weddings without dancing and they were fun. Not quite as festive as others, but still fun and very special. These were brunch or afternoon (1pm) events though. You could also check in with others who share your faith to see what they did instead?

Its up to you, but we attended a wedding with no dancing and it was super boring, they were a young couple so there was a lot of young people there and seemed more like a bbq than a wedding. But if it's for religious reasons, then youre probably not going to change your mind no matter what is advised........

so, what is the actual question then? what suggestions are you looking for if you arent going to change your mind on the dancing?

I wouldn't mind attending a brunch wedding with mimosas or wine and no dancing.