Things to do besides dancing

I love it and we aren't planning on having dancing either after a first dance. No one in our family enjoys it at other weddings, and frankly we aren't big on party type atmospheres. We're doing a multi course (12-15) tasting menu that should take about 3 hours. After that we'll probably just have some time for people to interact. Perhaps the gentlemen will retire to a separate space for cigars and bourbon. I think we're going to end up with a string band, rather than a dj, which will provide some nice ambiance to the dinner.

I love it and we aren't planning on having dancing either after a first dance. No one in our family enjoys it at other weddings, and frankly we aren't big on party type atmospheres. We're doing a multi course (12-15) tasting menu that should take about 3 hours. After that we'll probably just have some time for people to interact. Perhaps the gentlemen will retire to a separate space for cigars and bourbon. I think we're going to end up with a string band, rather than a dj, which will provide some nice ambiance to the dinner.

If dancing is precluded for religious reasons, it isn't much of a leap to assume that alcohol, even of the light variety, is also precluded. Do you know why you're asking what you can do to entertain your guests? It's because you've realized that without the average party elements, there is no party.

Board games? Seriously? At a wedding? Back yard games? Instead of cocktails and dancing? Those suggestions come from "The Junior High Book of Party Favorites". You create the wedding you host, and if your religion prohibits adult activities, then you need to look to your religious leadership to fill in the blanks, not brides who are hosting bars and DJs. If you are sure you want a wedding without party elements, then you'll have to accept the fact that dinner and lemonade will keep your guests entertained for about two hours -- and then it's over.

You can't control if people dance or not, unless you don't have music (what kind of party doesn't have music?)

It could be the venue just doesn't allow it, if it's at a church?

Also, we had no dancing. Just dinner. DH and I aren't big dancers so we were like ehhh nah.

I don't agree with the mentality of many of these responses on here. Dancing and drinking alcohol is not necessary for fun in life, period. And dancing and drinking at a wedding is not necessary for the guests or couple to have fun, either. It's all about preferences. Many of us simply don't enjoy dancing, drinking or any other party atmosphere. Now, I occasionally enjoy dancing at clubs with good friends and people I'm comfortable around. I don't enjoy drinking that much, except an occasional sweet, fruity drink. But there are plenty of adults who simply prefer playing card games or board games over drinking or dancing at a wedding or elsewhere. There's no "adult" activities someone says you have to do at a wedding. We don't all enjoy the same things. And it's the bride and groom's preference that decides how the wedding should be.