Reception "Activities"-No dancing

Yeah, if there is no dancing and it's midday, just let people mingle. Please don't do what Demi said with a forced "game", that's just awkward (at any age).

I have social anxiety, so from a guest's point of view, forced games would be the worst. I'm pretty sure you'll be just fine with food, drinks and background music.

Ok thanks everyone. I just really wasn't sure. I will just have people drink and let it be organic.

Corn hole, giant jenga. Those would be awesome IMO.

An open bar and a good DJ will get them on their feet. Problem solved. I come from a reserved family -- until there's a wedding. The most dignified among them will kick off their shoes after a few drinks, if the DJ plays music that takes them back to their glory days.

If you're dead set against it, then please, don't try to fill the open space with games -- whether they be of the backyard or newlywed variety. I've never been to an event with games that isn't a BBQ, and a venue rendition of the Newlywed Game wouldn't interest me (and those I know).

What you're looking for is a sophisticate adult event. An open bar, in my opinion, is essential. Secondly, because the after dinner dancing portion of the wedding is where people get up from the table and start to mingle, I'd suggest that you put a lot of thought into your seating plan. Put people together who really like each other (that's easy to figure out with family). Have some kind of music playing in the background.

Actually, my best advice is the open bar and a really great DJ. Tell your candidates that this is not a dancing crowd, and ask him what he suggests to get people up and dancing. Even if people don't normally dance, the fact that music is playing and a few people will dance (and they're at every wedding) will send the message that the wedding is in full swing.

Believe me, I've seen the non-dancers dance with a little liquid encouragement, a little social encouragement, and the talent of a master DJ. Who knows? Maybe you'll even end up out on the floor.

If you don't have space for a dance floor, I don't think you'll have space for the "shoe game." I think you're fine just letting your guests drink and mingle!

Don't worry about the games. People will be happy just to hang out!

@laura Oh geez I didn't realize wedding games were that bad! I've never been to a wedding before so I didn't know. Now I need to change my wedding plans now lol

I went to an afternoon wedding with lawn games and board games that was actually fun. Neither type were "enforced" games, they were just available if guests wanted to play. People ended up playing cornhole, bocce, Uno, and Cards Against Humanity. Some folks just mingled and drank and chatted, some folks mostly played games, some did both. I think the key was just having them available but not "required." It is also a group that plays all those games, plus badminton, croquet, poker, and board games quite frequently, so it was definitely a know your crowd sort of thing.

@OP,

We are having a late wedding (4 pm) with a dinner reception and then out by 9 due to hall restrictions (city park hall so we have to be out totally by 10). No dancing. We will have background music but that's it. Neither of us dance at all and didn't want to have it. It's your wedding, your choice!

I would skip the games, though. We're having a loosely-themed 1920's wedding and I thought parlor games from that era would be fun during photographs but have since rethought that plan. Cocktail hour instead! Your guests will be fine socializing as everyone has said.

There's nothing wrong with a non-dancing wedding. I've been to weddings without dancing that were more fun than some of the dancing weddings. All you really need is good food and booze. Definitely don't do forced group games. No one wants to do that. But I agree with what @AlwaysMs. said. Depending on your group, there may be people who would enjoy playing games with small groups of people. I love certain types of games, so I'd probably be one of those people playing them if there were things like Cards Against Humanity. I don't think it would hurt to have that as options depending on the formality of your event.

I didn't have any dancing- everyone had a really lovely time.

Lies. I did.

I had a bellydancer.

But there was no dance floor- no DJ- no dance music.

We ate- we cut the cake- and while she was dancing we had dessert- and then we left.

We arrived at 4 PM- guests started getting there by 4:30- and I think we had the whole place broken down and we were back at the hotel before 11 PM.

I think we officially had to be done by 9- I think it was like 9:30 maybe? We were out on the street by 10 for sure.

no dancing. People smiled and drank and I think they had a good time. I think. LOL

I wouldn't worry about games.

We didn't have dancing at ours either, it was a short, afternoon reception outside, no dance floor, etc.

Just let people mingle, take pictures, talk, etc.

We had planned to play disc golf at ours, and we all just got carried away talking and visiting that it never happened.

Definitely no games. People have already pointed out that people who may not normally dance may want to let loose a little at a wedding, especially with some liquid courage. That happened in a way at my wedding - I expected my friends to be on the dance floor all night, which they were, but I did NOT expect my family to dance a lot and they were out there the whole time as well!

Don't do games just let people mingle. I am also someone who hates dancing, I never knew so many people liked it until I joined WW. Guess it depends on your crowd. I went to a wedding last weekend with a dance floor that was empty all night.

We're not having any dancing, but we're having a cabaret-style piano bar.

If you are worried people may be bored you could set up a table in the corner with decks of cards and clasic board games with a sign that says if you's like to play please take one back to your table or something then those that want a game have the option and those that don't want to play wont.

We aren't doing dancing, our families don't really dance and neither do we....

We are going to have games and use some of the games as take home favors as well!

We aren't having tons of dancing either. We are doing a Sunday brunch reception and will be done by 3. We are on the fence about a DJ or live guitarist, because I want music, but nothing crazy. We aren't doing any games or activities, but I'm thinking of printing out "advice" cards to leave on the tables so guests can write what they want on them. We are also having under 50 and all family. I think no games or activities is the way to go for you!

Dancing's not required. I don't think you need games either. People know how to have fun mingling and eating/drinking. Like a large dinner party.

I once went to a Christmas party where the host had a whole slew of games for us to play. It was kind of mandatory (tables vs tables). The games ran late and lasted until like 11 pm. No-one really got a chance to leave their table and mingle. It was annoying.