Reception without dancing

Be to quite honest the wedding I went to that was similar to what you described was incredibly boring and most people left.

I'm doing a dinner at a restaurant without dancing. We've got a playlist together and the restaurant has a sound system for us to use. Our entertainment will be food, drinks, and company. We technically have the restaurant for 3 hours, but I anticipate the party winding down before then.

A friend that got married hated the idea of dancing. No dj, not even music. There was lots of beer and they had lawn games. Everyone had a good time, stayed late, drank by the fire. I guess it depends on your crowd.

Not having dancing is perfectly fine. Over 75% of weddings I've been to didn't have dancing. They were great! It's you and your spouse's day. Do what makes you happy.

I think it definitely depends on venue and time. An intimate space for a dinner and conversation is great. An outdoor daytime wedding with lawn games great. A big hall with no DJ and one dance would be weird.

The only one I went to without dancing was superbowl themed. Since I am not a football fan sitting around watching football is not my idea of a good time, I was a little bored but there was beer and FH's friends and his friends' parents were at a table with us so at least we had someone to talk to. It definitely depends on your crowd, all the football fans loved watching the game on the big tvs.

Following this thread

Like PP stated, venue and time are definitely factors.
FH and I aren't into having a dance party and neither of us drink. We decided to get married at noon then have a luncheon in the basement of the church immediately after the ceremony. This way, no one will expect dancing or booze! We are going to play some light music in the background and it will only last a couple of hours for mingling. Also, our guest list is less than 50 ppl.

I think a dinner party without dancing sounds fine! As long as people have food and drink they’ll be happy

That being said, I would find it odd and a little awkward if the couple did a first dance in that setting. There would be a first dance only and then dancing would be over?

We're planning on doing this! But not even a first dance. We have an indoor/outdoor venue and will be renting furniture to transform the outdoor space into multiple lounge areas, along with some games that both sides love to play (think ping pong). Not one of the 50 of us likes dancing, and our reception is going to end by 9. I've been to a lot of nice parties that operate this way, I don't see why a wedding has to be any different.

Also, the last wedding we went to had SO MUCH dancing programming...I swear we watched people dance for 1 hr, I felt like it was a performance as opposed to a celebration. We saw a lot of people leaving during that portion to go smoke cigars on the beach. Just do what makes sense for you both as a couple and that will be naturally conveyed to your guests.

So weird—I could have sworn I responded to this thread already!

anyway, we aren’t doing dancing. Well, let’s put it this way, people can dance if they want, but I doubt it will happen. There are fewer than 30 guests and many are definitely not dancers. I can think of maybe 2-4 who would actually dance. And in my opinion there’s nothing worse than a wedding that planned on dancing where no one dances. My cousin had such a wedding—it was so lame. We are planning right now on a first dance, which is more of a sentimental/introduction thing and I’m pretty sure my guests won’t be offended. We are finding a guitarist right now, with the alternative being a playlist. It’s planned on an outdoor deck—provided the weather cooperates—We will have bocce as a game and a fire pit with s’mores after dinner.

View Quoted Comment LOVE the idea of lounge areas! Jealous! I agree....no one needs dancing to have fun! I’m very conscious of the time spent on programmed dances, and am considering a minute or so at most. I kind of liked the idea of a father/daughter dance, but I think that would seriously push the envelope!

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This. Please don't have a first dance then no dancing for your guests. It will confuse them. To also answer your question: Our wedding will by a lunch reception with no dancing, it will be done by 3pm. First wedding we had a dance though. I do not thing weddings without dances are odd or strange.

I went to a wedding that was on a Sunday and they did dinner, cake, a first dance and that's it. It honestly was boring and left everyone in a "oh, that's it? We're done" situation. I do think it would have been better if they had done it earlier in the day. However I love the other things people have brought up.. lounge area and lawn games sound great! I don't think you have to have a dance necessarily but something for them to do would be nice.

I can't edit: I should have said "My first wedding to my first husband we had dancing." This one, to second hubby will have no dancing. I re-read it and it sounds like I am going to marry the same guy twice!!! LOL!

My FH and I both hate dancing, but many of the people in our families love it. In an effort to bridge the two (and offer refuge for those like us who hate dancing and hate being pestered about it) we're going to have a variety of things to do. Dancing, board games, bonfire, lounge porch, trivia hour...