Dance alternatives at reception?

Question

I found a couple questions like this, but figured it was worth asking again. My fiance and I are indifferent on the idea of a dance, at best. If we chose not to have one, what are some other options for entertainment with our guests? It could help us save our budget, which is extremely minimal.

Neither of us really want to dance, and my father is completely against the idea. Our entire wedding budget, excluding my dress, is only $5000.

I'm not worried about my wedding being "traditional." My family already thinks I'm a little bit off my rocker. :-)

We are looking at under 100 people, so it will be pretty small.

We're planning it for next April (or so), and it will have to be indoors. I say or so because the wedding wedding will be in NY in the middle of April, but the big reception will be in MN sometime later. At this point, we're planning on indoors.

Answer 1

I recorded all of my own music for our wedding. I bought a few wedding CDs, and recorded them on tape and my husband and I had our dance and then we just had the music playing in the background while we visited with our family. The music was just playing softly so it was not so loud that we couldn't hear people talking. It was more important to visit with people than to have people dancing. We also saved a lot of money on food by doing our own. Having weddings catered is so expensive. Our whole wedding, and honeymoon only came to around $6,000.

You can save money by getting your dress off the rack. I got mine for $300 + $150 for the head piece. You can also save money by buying a white prom type dress if you don't want a traditional wedding dress, or any other color you want. It is your wedding, so don't let people pressure you into something you don't want. Go to different florists and get prices. If you have a friend that arranges flowers or is artistic at all just get cut flowers and have them arrange them. Wedding flowers can be expensive (My mom used to own a flower shop). Instead of paying a printer to make something for wedding favors make your own on the computer. You can put several on a page with a nice border and get some nice paper saying something like "Thank you for attending our wedding. We appreciate all of your support as we start our new life together" and then put your names and your wedding date on it.

Answer 2

you could do the traditional wedding games: throwing the bouquet, tossing the garter. have guests sing songs or recite rhymes/poems to make the couple kiss...this is entertaining stuff that doesn't require a dj or dancing. if you have a laptop, you can make a slideshow of your life in pictures using power point...some reception halls have projectors and screens that you may be able to use for this purpose. since there will be no dancing, i'm assuming the reception will be shorter than most...so most guets will still be around to send you (the couple) off on your way and bid farewell(to the honeymoon, home, wherever you're going after the wedding is over). this is kind of nice also, since most of the time the bride and groom are the last to leave.

Answer 3

We did not have a dance for our recepction and it turned out great. Neither one of us really enjoy dancing anyway and we were also on a tight budget. We had a come-and-go reception so there wasn't a sit down meal. Thay way we were able to mingle with the guests as they came and went. Mostly people just sat around and talked - they didn't really need entetained since they weren't there for a set amount of time. We had some light music playing and food set out the whole time. We also had a pinata set up for the kids to do so they weren't sitting around bored. It was really nice and I'd do the same thing all over again.

Answer 4

I honestly think that the cheapest way of entertainment is having a dance. Just pay for a DJ. I had a DJ for a wedding at my house this past weekend and he charged us $300 for 6 hours of music. And everyone was having a good time dancing. I honestly cant think of a cheaper alternative other than just having the reception and everyone going home after that.

Answer 5

Unless price is an obstacle, then have a conventional marriage ceremony reception of both sit down down meal or buffet, reduce the cake, speeches and many others... and the Bride and Groom and any Pentecostal Christian's might depart earlier than the dancing begins.

Answer 6

everyone loves to dance! we're in a similar position with money, and are having a destination wedding outdoors...so we chose to have a steel drum band for only the ceremony and an hour of the reception, and are going to be playing music from cds or a laptop for the rest of the evening. That way, we get the music we like, without paying an annoying dj who won't even have what we like.

Answer 7

We brought out stereo, it had a 20 disc changer in it and we put it on random.

Since you are on a limited budget, you might want to go with a light cocktails and h'oerdeovers(or however you spell it) it is easier on the budget and no one expects much entertainment if any.

Kareoke is one way to go.
You could play trivia, the top winners take home the centerpieces.
View a picture montage... pics of you and DH since kids and then together, pics of family and friends... set to music

Good luck

Answer 8

Kareokee is a good option been to a weding where they had a dj and Kareoke, it was a blast it starts slow but after a couple of songs, people really got into it. I have decided to include at least an hour of kareokee in my reception.

Answer 9

Are you having it outdoors? Maybe just have a outdoor BBQ with Cd's going in the background. That way if people want to dance they can but no one is expected to. If you have it at park or something you could offer games like bocca ball, frisbee, or volley ball - whatever is at that park.

Answer 10

Back ground music and converstion! If youchave a small guest list, you can do this.
Congratulations and good luck