No Dancing At Wedding

We are having a very small reception and hope to have only classical musical for background noise. Do you think a reception with no dancing is boring? What ideas can we use to keep our guests entertained?

Has anyone ever been to a wedding with No dancing? What did you think?

Help, I am starting to think that maybe we should re-think our decision. I am worried that our guests will be bored!!!

Re: No Dancing At Wedding

If you're not having dancing, you should probably make the party shorter than 5 hours. Otherwise, don't worry about it - people will figure out a way to entertain each other.

Re: No Dancing At Wedding

It probably depends upon how well you guests know each other and what the average age is. A 'cocktail party' atmosphere with people chatting and socializing can be wonderful assuming everyone gets along and feel comfortable.

My friend's brother got married at City Hall and rented out a restaurant for their 'reception.' There was no dancing, instead everyone basically sat around at tables, ate, made toasts, chatted, etc. It was a nice time. I think the whole thing was just a few hours long.

Re: No Dancing At Wedding

we did something like this for our engagement party. I wanted to keep it small and simple, (we were trying to save for the wedding) We had about 60 people, and we hired a piano player.. I was afraid this was going to be a bore for everyone, but it turned out really nice. We had a deck that over looked Manhasset Bay, so people we walking around, taking in the sights. We kept it to 4 hours, and the time went really fast.. Everyone loved our piano player.... The key to remember is you know what your guests will like.. I would let them know ahead of time that this will be a small, and elegant affair, this way they don't have different expectations. Most important.. do what is in your heart!!!!!

Re: No Dancing At Wedding

We had a casual e-party and just played CDs. We wanted people to get to know each other so that they would be friendly for the wedding, Plus we didn't have the $$ for a DJ at the time because we are paying for the wedding.

I would make the reception only 3-4 hours long, still have your first dance and parent dances (take a few lessons to learn a waltz it will look amazing to your guests). I would have the wedding elegant and simple and keep the cocktail type food going longer. I would also do a more open seating so people can have conversations with lots of guests instead of sitting at one table for 3 hours.
Still do the cake cutting and if you want, the bouquet toss. I would also word your reception invite to let guests know to except no dancing. 'Please join us for dinner and classical music' or something along those lines.

Re: No Dancing At Wedding

I think my wedding reception will be a similar affair with no or little dancing, about 3 hours long, with either a piano player and/or a jazz trio. I think it's fine and can be really elegant and fun. For us it will be a way to save $, and we may wind up renting a beach house afterwards and have some of our friends join us.
As long as your guests know it is a cocktail reception and not a full dinner and you keep it to a shoter period of time I think it can be lovely.