Ideas for a no dancefloor reception? What's a guest to do?

[sirbenson]

We finally found a venue after searching for months and months and *almost* booking something that didn't feel quite right.

The venue: An upsclae French restuarant (we are buying it out so will be the only people in there) on a Sunday in August. (For any Toronto PS'ers...its Auberge du Pommier)
The event: ceremony on site, lunch reception
Crowd: mostly family, the rest friends; 60 people including us

Due to the time of day we are having the reception, the type of venue, and our personal tastes, FH and I don't really want to have a DJ/dancefloor at our wedding. But we still want *something* to go along with the ceremony and reception but just don't know what.

We need help coming up with ideas for:

-background music before/after ceremony and during the lunch
-some way to entertain guests between courses/after lunch

We aren't thinking of an entertainer per se (i.e. comedian, belly dancer, soloist) but feel that if we don't have something to keep guests' attention, it'll be the shortest wedding ever. We'd like there to be something keeping guests there to mix and mingle. If it was a barn type wedding I'd have little games (bean bag toss, tic tac toe); if it was a pub style wedding I could pull out darts and boardgames. But what's a gal to do at a French restaurant?!?

Ideas welcome!

 

[diva rose]

Re: Ideas for a no dancefloor reception? What's a guest to d

Photobooth. It's the best entertainmnet for guests. We had ours at our wedding and the guests loved it.
Also, depending on which company you go with, you guests get a copy of the photos they take with them and you get a copy for your album.

http://www.funbooth.com.au/

This was the company I used. We even got our wedding logo on the photos with dates etc.

 

[sillyberry]

Re: Ideas for a no dancefloor reception? What's a guest to d

Is there a piano at the restaurant? A piano player taking requests is always fun. Otherwise, a string quartet would be lovely.

 

[lucyandroger]

Re: Ideas for a no dancefloor reception? What's a guest to d

wine tasting

 

[slg47]

Re: Ideas for a no dancefloor reception? What's a guest to d

a meal at a French restaurant can certainly take a long time. I think music afterwards for socializing is a good idea if you don't want it to end right after the meal

 

[yssie]

Re: Ideas for a no dancefloor reception? What's a guest to d

wine tasting

Brilliant! And very venue-appropriate

I think especially if you are having family that lives far away, groups that haven't seen each other in a while, you won't have to worry too much about people socializing but something hands-on that will keep their interest is a good reassurance. I would not do anything that requires 'talent' - open piano, etc. if you are having children present unless you are alright with some less-than-stellar performances by proud parents wanting to show off their children, or perhaps a couple of tipsy duets (well, that would be a concern in my family, I don't know about yours!).

 

[KimberlyH]

Re: Ideas for a no dancefloor reception? What's a guest to d

Our reception was similar to what you're describing. We were married at 7pm, had cocktail hour 7:30-8:30, then dinner/dessert. The last people left at 11:30. Our only entertainment was a guitar player.

 

[sillyberry]

Re: Ideas for a no dancefloor reception? What's a guest to d

wine tasting

Brilliant! And very venue-appropriate

I think especially if you are having family that lives far away, groups that haven't seen each other in a while, you won't have to worry too much about people socializing but something hands-on that will keep their interest is a good reassurance. I would not do anything that requires 'talent' - open piano, etc. if you are having children present unless you are alright with some less-than-stellar performances by proud parents wanting to show off their children, or perhaps a couple of tipsy duets (well, that would be a concern in my family, I don't know about yours!).

Just in case this was a response to me, I definitely meant hiring a professional!

 

[HollyS]

Re: Ideas for a no dancefloor reception? What's a guest to d

We had a small wedding; about the same number of people you've invited. While there was a dance floor available, we did not use it ourselves. We did not have a band; we chose CDs of light jazz and standards to play while everyone ate. And people were free to use the dance floor at any time. One couple enjoyed having it mostly to themselves, as they had recently taken ballroom lessons. We had had a classical guitarist entertain guests before the ceremony, and he played our processional and recessional; that was the extent of our live music.

We did not feel the need to provide other entertainment, or things for guests 'to do'. Everyone knew everyone else, and had a good time talking, etc. Four hours flew by before we knew it.

 

[yssie]

Re: Ideas for a no dancefloor reception? What's a guest to d

wine tasting

Brilliant! And very venue-appropriate

I think especially if you are having family that lives far away, groups that haven't seen each other in a while, you won't have to worry too much about people socializing but something hands-on that will keep their interest is a good reassurance. I would not do anything that requires 'talent' - open piano, etc. if you are having children present unless you are alright with some less-than-stellar performances by proud parents wanting to show off their children, or perhaps a couple of tipsy duets (well, that would be a concern in my family, I don't know about yours!).

Just in case this was a response to me, I definitely meant hiring a professional!

haha it wasn't, actually Well - I saw the idea and thought it was cute but potentially problematic.. so yeah, professional!

 

[Amys Bling]

Re: Ideas for a no dancefloor reception? What's a guest to d

I really liked a few ideas mentioned:

photobooth ( I am having one!) entertainment for guests and a nice guesst book is made for you and FH
wine tasting- goes with the french upscale reception you have planned.
piano player- gives some background music

 

[sirbenson]

Re: Ideas for a no dancefloor reception? What's a guest to d

Thanks for all the great ideas.

Live musicians playing classical music would work with they type of venue but we don't really like that type of music. So I guess I'd have to decide what's more important...that we like the music or that it "matches" the venue.

The photobooth is a good idea so I'll have to see if its in the budget. I guess if we don't hire a musician that money can be allotted to the photobooth.

The restaurant is quite pricey so I think that wine tasting would put us over budget. But what a good idea!

On one hand we aren't interested in having a dancefloor/Dj but on the other hand we don't want people to feel they got "ripped off" by there being no entertainment. Then again, we don't have a very lively crown of guests so maybe people won't mind sitting down all night??

 

[sillyberry]

Re: Ideas for a no dancefloor reception? What's a guest to d

Classical musicians can play a lot more than classical music.

Check out the Vitamin String Quartet to get a sense of what can be played on strings.

HOWEVER. You don't need to "entertain" your guests. They are there to share in your wedding and be happy and merry with you and your soon-to-be-husband. That and conversation should be plenty.

 

[sirbenson]

Re: Ideas for a no dancefloor reception? What's a guest to d

HOWEVER. You don't need to "entertain" your guests. They are there to share in your wedding and be happy and merry with you and your soon-to-be-husband. That and conversation should be plenty.

Very good point!

 

[zipzapgirl]

Re: Ideas for a no dancefloor reception? What's a guest to d

I don't think you need to entertain the guests. Do a few toasts later in the evening after dinner, cut the cake late and most of all, keep the wine flowing. A lot of people will stay as long as the drinks continue to be poured.

 

[sirbenson]

Re: Ideas for a no dancefloor reception? What's a guest to d

I don't think you need to entertain the guests. Do a few toasts later in the evening after dinner, cut the cake late and most of all, keep the wine flowing. A lot of people will stay as long as the drinks continue to be poured.

Well its a lunch reception, there'll be no cake and I don't *think* people will stay TOO long as its a Sunday anyway. As for the wine...we have to be semi-conservative as the venue charges by the drink/bottle and their cheapest bottle of wine is about $40

 

[Puppmom]

Re: Ideas for a no dancefloor reception? What's a guest to d

We had no entertainment at our wedding and people had a great time! You don't need to entertain adults. People did what they do at most parties/celebrations - talk and laugh and just enjoy each other's company. It was really fantastic actually!

 

[Amys Bling]

Re: Ideas for a no dancefloor reception? What's a guest to d

do they allow audiovisual equipment? maybe you could put together a slideshow of you and FI (some growing up pics, etc) to project up on a wall at some point for some "entertainment" or have a laptop out with a slideshow playing and scrapbooks-

a scrapbook guestbook!-- leave supplies out for people to create a page for you at a special table? IF not photobooth- a friend of mine took a clothesline and clothespins and stung up pics on a homemade stand in a corner and left out an instant camera and guest book supplies for people to do their own photots and such...

 

[sirbenson]

Re: Ideas for a no dancefloor reception? What's a guest to d

Thanks Amy, some good ideas I'll consider. I think the venue has a screen so maybe a slideshow that loops would be a good idea.

 

[Lauren8211]

Re: Ideas for a no dancefloor reception? What's a guest to d

Conversation and wine was plenty for our guests. We had hors d'oeuvres, then dinner and dessert. Around 11 PM, we had cigars for those still around. The night wrapped up around 11:30 or so. You definitely don't need to worry about planned activities, but there are some great ideas here if you want to!