Who Doesn't Want A "Party" Atmosphere?

You know you're crowd Pan so your reception will be hit no matter which direction you go in. Even though we're going the hoitey toitey route we are still very conscience of the "atmosphere" of the reception. We do NOT want a 2012 club scene with Techno or Dubstep, not our scene, but at the same time I do want it to be a killer party even though we're in a very ummmm.... stuffy room. Just like us, you'll find the balance that will reflect both you & DH personalities. :-)

We aren't having a dj or a bar.

FI is not a party person at all (like your DH classic rock is about as crazy as it gets) and I left that party/club life style behind years ago.

We are having a family dinner style reception. We are only having our parents and our siblings families in attendance so that is very easy to pull off. There will be a champagne toast (sparkling cider for the kids and us; we don't drink) right before our "dessert first" cake cutting.

I think your party sounds like fun Pan. And Marie hit the nail on the head about you knowing your crowd. The people who know and love you will know that this amazing event reflects you and will be thrilled with whatever celebration you have!

We didn't want a party atmosphere either as neither me or my husband are dancers. We did however still get a DJ and serve alcohol (beer, wine, and sangria). Our wedding was during the afternoon. Our ceremony started at noon, and our reception went until 4 immediately after. The DJ helped everything flow nicely by having someone there to make all the important announcements. We didn't have any club music, but she read our older crowd really well and played a lot of music that people enjoyed. Some people did dance, but our dancing was located in just one room of the mansion, so people didn't need to be around it if they didn't want to. I was surprised at how many people DID dance during an afternoon wedding. But there were also plenty of people who just wandered around the mansion and the grounds and found quiet places to hang out and chat with people. I almost wish I would have set up some yard games in the yard after the ceremony, but I loved our laid back afternoon wedding.

I think it sounds elegant but still fun, especially with the yard games. I would definitely consider having it in the afternoon though, especially if you don't serve alcohol. It sounds like more of an afternoon garden party type wedding to me. If you're on the fence about having no alcohol it would be nice to have a small amount of champagne (or champagne cocktails like Bellinis- yum!) at an afternoon wedding. Would help those who like to have one drink to make themselves less shy (that would be me) without sacrificing the sophisticated non-club vibe you're going for and would be an easy thing to assign someone in your family or wedding party to set up just before the reception.

Pan...."Atmosphere" is usually reflects the personality of the couple, imho. You seem like a fun person, so I am sure your reception will be fun. I think an afternoon reception will be more appropriate for the atmosphere you want. I think many younger people go to evening weddings thinking 2012 "club". W/ an aft wedding, & lots of danceable class rock, your guests can have the best of both worlds. Yes, I would add alcohol, but then again, alcohol is expected in my circle.

We wanted a laid back, classic rock/motown/disco/80's music kind of party. We feel we succeeded. We are big dancers. The dancing started at 5:00 & ended around 2:00. After the cake cutting, I could no longer hang in my gown. I made the DJ stop for a break & told my guests to feel free to change into something comfy. Some stayed dressed but most got into their comfy best & danced an older fart night away. However, others hung on the porch, and others hit the deck. It rained so the campfire was a huge No.

We were considering board games on the tables for people to play. We will have a bar, but I don't do the club/party scene at all. Are DJ is playing classic rock (Because that's FH's music) We aren't gonna be up on the dance floor club dancing to techno all night, it's not our style at all. Neither of us really drinks regularly, and we just aren't that interested in that kind of party, if you aren't, you shouldn't do it. I say the wedding should feel like the kind of people that you are. Laid back doesn't have to be boring. If people don't like it they don't have to stay.

My friends would HATE a party like a club scene. They love playing music and listening to live music. They will be playing music for us and it won't be a stress ful ordeal. We have about 8 people who have offered to play so no one will be stuck playing all night. Live music wont start till after dinner, 8 ish. & we have cd's to play if no one is up on stage. However I don't think that will happen, FH runs an open mic night and most of these people come and play 4 songs at that every week for free, as well as playing full gigs on their own weekly. I'm looking to have the kind of get together that I would have on my birthday (less the campfire)

We're getting married in a lodge with a large lawn that will be all ours... so we're putting more money towards buying lawn games than a big DJ budget.

My DJ is actually a DJ/MC/DOC all in one, so he's helping create and man our ipod playlist and will be running the microphone to make announcements like toasts and dances, and to encourage people to make use of the games.

Honestly,

it depends on your personality andthe people youwant to share it with. If you like "RAP" which I guess you don't consider music, then you play it.

It's what you want. some people like to party and some don't. It is a celebration after all and you should do it as you see fit. Even if it sounds pretty lame

What you're describing sounds like so much fun! I would love a wedding reception like that.

But, FTR, if you get a good DJ you won't have to worry about a club-like atmosphere. Our DJ was fantastic - kept it classy and still played dance music but not club-style dance music. Basically the same fast-paced stuff you hear on the radio that you can dance to. He also played a great mix of classic rock right after dinner when people still weren't quite ready to get out on the floor.

That being said, if a DJ is on the bottom of your list then don't worry about it! It sounds like you have fabulous ideas for keeping your guests entertained.

I will let you know where to mail my invite :-p