No Dancing...

We are thinking about not having a DJ at our wedding w/ dancing because it is a daytime affair (12-5) - but something more along the lines of a string trio or piano player.

I am worried guests will not know what to do with themselves.


Should we have a buffet lunch as opposed to sit down? What about just a cocktail reception? I am thinking this may allow for more mingling of the guests......

PLEASE HELP!!!!

Re: No Dancing...

well.. what would ppl do for that many hours without dancing?
I dont think its a bad idea.. I would be wondering what everyone would do for that long as well..

Why cant there be dancing between 12 and 5?
It is a party after all

Re: No Dancing...

What about having some dancing/performers, poetry reading, singing etc. I agree they will not know what to do with themselves if there is nothing to do or nothing to keep them entertained. They will definitely be waiting. I went to a wedding where there was no dancing and we did not know and we thought they were waiting on the couple to come in to get things started. It felt very akward. Are you going to do the first dance etc??

Re: No Dancing...

My reception is from 1-6 and I'm having dancing. I know daytime affairs are not as 'full blown' as evening receptions but there is no reason not to have music. It is a celebration so people will be in the mood to dance whatever hour.

Re: No Dancing...

why do you think people will not want to dance during the day? i recently went to a day wedding (same exact times as yours!) and we 'danced the day away!'

Re: No Dancing...

we dont want to have dancing. Our location doesnt have a dance floor and we are only having 50 ppl that are mostly older family members. i guess we are assuming that our guests will not want to dance

Re: No Dancing...

I think having a great piano player would be very cool. I've heard about non-dancing weddings where they played little trivia games about the Bride & Groom to keep busy. I think lots of toasts are also common in those situations. I'm naming my tables & putting a picture & short explaination in every frame to give people something to talk about.
You could also get that guest book where people take time to write alot of stuff, that would keep them busy for a bit. How about using Poliriods cameras instead of disposibles(you'd only need a couple)that would be fun for your guests.
That's all I can think of.

Re: No Dancing...

I went to a wedding a few years ago w/no dancing. It was an evening affair, they had a piano player, and the party was a continuous cocktail hour. I think that having food out throughout gives people something to do.

The bride and groom were introduced at the beginning and they each made a speech, but no first dance.

It sounds a little boring, but it really was a nice party. They arranged their reception this way b/c they couldn't afford a sit down dinner for all 300+ of their guests.

Re: No Dancing...

I would consider shortening your reception if you do not want ANY dancing at all. Perhaps having a cocktail reception is better for what you want.
Honestly most the older members of my family love to dance so I would not use age as a way of determining whether or not you should have dancing.
People might be looking forward to dancing so you will want to spread the word (verbally) that you will not be having any.Of course this is your wedding and you need to have the wedding that makes you happy but to me a non-dancing wedding is held out doors in a garden type setting, not in a hall.