We have a guest list of 82, the ceremony is being held on the balcony of a tea room in a state park, and the reception will be inside. There will be no room to dance. I was kind of thinking we'd come in from the ceremony and eat and chat. The groom and I will mingle of course. I have love songs on cds to play in the background.
My question is should I plan some sort of activities? I keep seeing people ask questions about what activities they should have and such. Do we owe our guests some form of entertainment? We only expect them to stay for 2-3 hours.
We're trying to keep this a low-key affair, so if so, any suggestions would be appreciated.
2007-01-12 08:01:31 · 7 answers · asked by Happy Wife 4 in Family & Relationships ➔ Weddings
Well, to answer your question directly, Yes.
Any time you're hosting a party, you're responsible for entertaining your guests.
That said, I will clarify that I think mingling is an appropriate form of entertainment. You don't need to have a clown come in, to make balloon animals, or have a limbo contest.
I didn't have dancing at my wedding, and wanted to be sure that everyone (not just the bride & groom) were mingling. I really wanted everyone to chat with everyone...So, I arranged with the reception hall that there would be fewer chairs than guests, except when we were eating. This helped to keep people moving, and it turned out great!
2007-01-12 08:12:49 · answer #1 · answered by abfabmom1 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I had a wedding in similiar size. We chose to have a brunch reception at an historic estate. While we took pictures after the ceremony, we provided our guests with a tour of the estate rooms and grounds. But for the actual reception, we did not have any entertainment and there was no room to dance. We provided background music while guests ate and had traditional activities (toasts, cutting the cake, bouquet toss, etc.). Our reception was about 2-3 hours as well so the timing was perfect. Everyone had a blast and often still comment on how wonderful it was.
2007-01-12 16:06:32 · answer #2 · answered by Veronica W 4 · 5⤊ 0⤋
You don't owe the guests anything. Your reception sounds just fine to me. If the guests don't like it than that is their problem and they will get over it. This wedding is not about the guests. It is about you and the groom making commitments to spend your lives together. The guests are there to congratulate and support you. If they want a party then they can scedule a private party at someone elses house or go to a club afterward. Or you can invite them to your house for New Years or something.
One thing to think of as well is doing it open house style. You say the reception is from like 6-8 and they can come and mingle during that time as spend as much or as little time as they want to. Then you don't need to entertain.
2007-01-12 16:20:42 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Providing all your guests are local a 2 or 3 hour event would probably be fine. But if you have invited people from long distances then you should probably arrange for some kind of entertainment and/or dancing etc. My fiance and I have downloaded all our own music from the internet and have he maid of honours young song playing the tunes. We have rented a small hall in the motel where we will marry. I'm sure that like us you are trying to save as much as possible with your wedding but you cannot in my opinion just have people come and bring their gifts, have a reception, chat with each of them for a couple of minutes each then hit the road. They have come to help celebrate what is suppose to be the happiest day in your life so show them a good time and good luck. Best wishes for a happy and healthy marriage also.
2007-01-12 16:09:55 · answer #4 · answered by crazylegs 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
No! I think too many people think their wedding must compete with those of people who are worth billions of dollars, or it is somehow no good.
A simple ceremony and luncheon afterward is very nice and a refreshing change to the overdone affairs we seem to see lately!
It wouldn't be bad to have someone play music (classical type) during the meal, but that's just an idea if you wanted to do something more.
2007-01-12 16:09:14 · answer #5 · answered by melouofs 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Background music and chatting will be plenty entertaining enough. You do not need to have dancing or hire a performer or anything like that.
2007-01-12 17:43:32 · answer #6 · answered by Etiquette Gal 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
No!!! It's your wedding!!! You owe your guests NOTHING!!! If they don't want to come unless they're entertained, tell them to blow off and stay home!!!
2007-01-12 16:06:02 · answer #7 · answered by Jim C 4 · 3⤊ 1⤋