What to do at an intimate reception with no dancing?

I'd just relax and let guests mingle with you. Games aren't necessary in a restaurant setting and you'll be trying to enjoy your meal anyhow. You and FH could always make a small toast thanking everyone for coming, or maybe a parent if someone is contributing a lot of money to the wedding.

I'd probably keep it more low-key, though. Games are more for showers and birthday parties. Talk to everyone and thank them individually, as well.

I agree with @FutureMrsKC.

My cousin's wedding was like this. We all just ate and mingled. Towards the end there were two short speeches (her mother and godfather) and then they cut the cake.

Hi Alani! I definitely think toasts will be perfect for this setting! I think once everyone’s settled in eating amongst one another, they’ll adjust to the flow and start engaging!

This is what we're doing also and just planning for dinner, drinks and chatting. We are doing cake and possibly toasts? We haven't decided on that yet, at a minimum we'll say thank you. My FILs are hosting a groom's dinner the night before and I believe are planning to say a few words then so not sure if it's needed.

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True I agree.

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Thanks, I think this is just fine! My FH just thinks there ought to be more.

I think it would be like any other restaurant party. Nobody expects games or entertainment at a restaurant. People mingle and talk and eat.

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Toasts seem like all I should need. Thanks!

This style of wedding was my favorite of all the weddings I have attended as a guest. We had great food and wine, people had the chance to mix and mingle with everyone else, it wasn't too loud or noisy. They still had a couple of toasts, and we had a great evening.

I don't go to a wedding to play games, so I wouldn't miss them.

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Sounds perfect! Congrats!

My best friend had a wedding of about 50. Everyone ate and just mingled. It was fine

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Yes, definitely! The toasts will work to warm up the atmosphere!

I agree with pps that you don’t need games or anything. If it’s just a meal, people can just talk and mingle! I think toasts would be nice. If you don’t have a bridal party I would still ask a parent/sibling/best friend to give one. And either you or FH should make a “thank you” toast to your guests

Toasts and thats it. I would suggest not making it an open mic. I've seen that at smaller weddings and it never stops. Pre determine the toasts and let that be in. First toast during salads, second during the meal, third is a thank you around cake cutting/dessert from you two.

We had 22 people at our wedding, no games or anything were necessary. We did have a DJ (and people danced), but you could totally just have some background music in case anyone did want to dance. We just enjoyed our meal, talked with our guests, and had a blast. We had each of our best friends give a very quick speech and we thanked everyone for coming.

Yay! These are the best weddings. Ours was 2 years ago and this was our timeline. It worked out great. People left between 2:30-3 as the conversations started to naturally end.

11:00am: Cocktail hour starts

· Sign marriage license before Edwin leaves

· Pictures with family and bridal party and then Craig and Roxann leave

· Appetizers

· Bar opens

· Dad gives money to Kristen before she leaves at noon (violinist)

12:10pm-2:30pm: Craig and Roxann return and brunch starts

· Prayer by Earl

· First Course (salads)

· Toasts: Aileen, Sam, and Andrew

· Main Course (Steak or Breakfast Pizza)

· Cut Cake

· Final Course (Cake)

· Goodbye and thank you toast

2:30-3:00: Everyone out so Zinc can clean

I would imagine an intimate reception would be a wonderful opportunity for your guests to engage freely with you and amongst themselves. Maybe a nice welcome and a few toasts as others have mentioned would be nice as well. Everything will be perfect!

At an intimate reception, people tend to know each other, and in many cases they are catching up with people they haven't seen in a while, so eating and conversation are all the entertainment you need. Our reception started at 2 pm. We had some brief toasts, but that was it. When 4:30 came around and the restaurant wanted to set up for dinner, they pretty much had to shovel the guests out.

My fav weddings were small DWs with fewer than 50 guests. So intimate and fun. No band/dancing. Multiple course dinner and cake-cutting. Sometimes, having an action station (i.e. food carving station) or dessert table (i.e. if cake, then fancy coffee bar or s'mores bar) can help people get up and mix & mingle more (although, an open bar does that too if you don't have table service).

We had only 15 guests and had a blast (no BP for us either). Short & sweet ceremony with a violinist, then a pirate reception in a wine cave. People loved checking out the props (fun guest photos). We had a strolling accordionist who was awesome and people danced a few songs (didn't expect that). With an open bar, guests also mingled while getting drinks. Dinner was family-style--loud and fun. Our reception timeline:

5-6 pm cocktail hour (with meat, cheese & fruit display), B&G sneaked out to change

6 pm B&G entrance/welcome speech

6:30 pm dinner

8:30 pm dessert

10 pm end

I did the same thing. There were 14 of us in total. We arrived, everyone had drinks, we did a brief first dance then everyone mingled and ate. It lasted about 2 1/2 hours.