Need suggestions for Pentecostal wedding reception

Hi all,

I am new to the board and this is my first post. I was wondering if all your ladies could give me some suggestions for my pentecostal wedding reception. Basically, I was not raised Pentecostal and I have never been to a Pentecostal wedding. Nonetheless, I have been informed that at such receptions, there is no alcohol, no dancing, no garter, no bouquet toss. I am allowed to have (Christian/Classical etc) music playing in the background.

I am looking for ideas to make my reception entertaining and creative. One suggestion I have received from a friend is to have a montage / slideshow of us growing up as kids.

I have had other suggest having a coffee bar (Not sure how to do this.. if anyone has done this or has ideas let me know.) Others included having a jazz band or string quartet.

So if any of you have been to such a wedding reception or are Pentecostal or anything... please do let me know of possible ideas. The reception will be around lunchtime.

Thanks in advance!

Re: Need suggestions for Pentecostal wedding reception

Hello!!!

I've never been to a pentecostal wedding myself, so i'm not quite how their weddings are, but alot of the girls on this board are very creative and im sure they can give you some good ideas. congrats!!

Re: Need suggestions for Pentecostal wedding reception

I have never been to one either. But I went to a Baptist wedding that had no alcohol, no garter, no bq toss and only Christian music. The group wasn't very lively or fun and I know many people didn't enjoy themselves. It was sad b/c they were only following their religious beliefs.

I think your idea of trying to make it fun in other ways is great. We have all gone to parties where we don't drink or dance and have had great times. For some reason people get this stigma about weddings and having to drink.

I would suggest you do things to get your guests up and moving around so the mood is light and fun and not boring and rigid.

I would suggest a slide show, picture scavenger hunt, ice cream or cupcake bar where you offer lots of toppings and they can make their own, fun signature non-alcoholic drinks, ....

ETA: have old pictures of you and FH growing up, you and FH together, your families, friends, etc. all around the room so people walk around to look at them. And put captions or signs near them so they know who they are and when the picture is from.

Re: Need suggestions for Pentecostal wedding reception

Since you can't have alcohol, I would at least have some interesting virgin drinks- like pina colodas, mimosas with sparkling cider instead of champagne, or maybe even some sort of signature drink.
I have to tell you honestly, if you're planning on having a 5 hour reception with no dancing, it may wind up really boring. If you're going to skip the music, or just have it in the background, you may opt to have a shorter reception and maybe and after party wth just friends where you can drink and dance.

Re: Need suggestions for Pentecostal wedding reception

At pentecostal weddings. There is no alchohol ( u can serve daquiri's and frozen non-alch. drinks), there is no garter toss either. There is a bouquet toss though. There is also no deregatory music played as well. If you need more tips let me know.

Re: Need suggestions for Pentecostal wedding reception

It's going to be a little tricky, but it can be done. All the ideas that were suggested to you so far - try to do them. It will keep things lively. I would definitely have a jazz band of some kind.

Is there to be absolutely no dancing? If there be can be like, at least ballroom style dancing, do the anniversary dance instead of the bouquet/garter toss. Have all the married couples dance to a tasteful (or well known) jazz selection, then after a little while into the song, say (or have someone say) 'who's been married 3 years or less? Please have your seat.' Then 'who's been married 5 years or less, please have your seat.' And so on and so on until the couple that's been married the longest are left, and you can offer the bouquet to the wife and the garter to the husband and have your photographer take pictures of all of you.

Re: Need suggestions for Pentecostal wedding reception

Not all Pentecostal weddings are like that, I know mine is not.

Re: Need suggestions for Pentecostal wedding reception

I'm Christian and I totally understand the no alcohol and dancing thing. I personally don't like either. But as for some ideas it's all about fun. You should incorporate ideas such as Musical chairs, Hot potato, Questionnaires and chances to win prizes. Also if it's music too.... Maybe some instrumental music or fun music without words, so your guests won't feel like they are attending a church service instead of an awesome and totally fun wedding. Best part, to make it unique!!