Reception Activities

You could set up an area, a pretty setting, where people can get thier pictures taken together with a polaroid camera. Then give them a card (you can make this) that also acts as a frame so they can go home with it and put it up in thier home. Also, have photo albums out for people to view. I also saw something cute in Martha Stewart`s weddings magazine for your guests to create a message on decorative paper (provide pens, stickers, papers, etc..). They write the message, decorate the card and put it in your guest book. (sort of like a scrap book idea)

Personally, I think that having 2 different receptions sounds a little rude. (I am really not trying to insult, just say how I would feel if I was a guest). Imagine, you recieve an invite to your wedding and show up with a nice gift. You have your cake and punch and are then informed that dinner will be served but only to "special guests". I would be hurt if I wasn`t on that list. Every guest that attends should be included in all the festivities. It sounds a little hurtful to have a guest list A and a guest list B. Most people on list B will feel insulted as if they weren`t good enough to have been invited for dinner. I would just rethink the idea of seperating the people in your life or you may end up losing some all together.

I have the same problem. I do not want to offend anyone, but in my case, more people may be offended by the reception itself. A lot of the people that will not be invited to the reception are very conservative and would not be comfortable around dancing and drinking. Don`t get me wrong, it will not be a big drunken club scene or anything, but they would not want to be a part of a champagne toast or witness our first dance. Honestly, I don`t really want to have to deal with people being offended or to have to have people whispering about how innappropriate something we chose to do is. Now, most of the people who are invited to the wedding will be invited to the dinner reception as well. But mostly for the 50-100 church people that we will have, we will have the "cake and punch" reception. It will only be about 2 hours (the dinner reception will start at 5, the wedding is at 2). I don`t know if this is going to work out as well as I plan, and I am worried that the people going to the 2nd reception will let the others know and that I will get people showing up that we had not expected. But I guess I will worry about this when it happens.So with all of that said, I don`t know if people are going to get bored, especially those who are going to the 2nd reception. Once they sign the guestbook, get their snacks, and we get back from pictures, I am hoping that it will only give us enough time to talk to the church people and then we can leave. We are going to have our scrapbooks and photo albums out for people to look at, and maybe do a slide show. I was also thinking about doing an informal kind of game that I have seen DJ`s do, asking trivia about us. It was cute and killed the time that we were waiting for the bride and groom to finish pictures. I am curious to hear from others who are in this situation for more ideas.

Two receptions are confusing. However, another idea to use is to gather old wedding photgraphs from family members and friends who are attending. Arrange them on a board (set on an eisel). Let the your wedding quests try to figure out who they are, sharing warmth and laughter.

I`m also against the two separate receptions. But I doubt anyone is going to change your mind about that. As for the activities, I`m not crazy about polaroid pictures and writing little messages on papers. Do the traditional wedding activities. Toasts, bouquet toss, etc. Other than that, your guests will mostly be coming to you to congratulate you and mingling amoung each other. It`s not a formal reception, but nor is it a shower. So, I`d tend to leave out any showery type of games or activities.

A couple of thoughts: Instead of 2 receptions on the SAME DAY.. Why not split the days up.... Have the reception for 50 on one day and the ice cream "reception" on the next day (or have a party for those people a few weeks later, much more casually, at your home.. You can go to Costco, get creative and throw a nice bash! Think about a BRUNCH (baked Egg Strattas are easy to feed a crowd) Or, do your Cake and Ice Cream reception on the 1st day, then a brunch the following for "out of town" guests. Or, another idea all together is just ask the 50 people, have 1 nice reception and tell the others that you`re having a small "family only" wedding.. They`ll understand! Good luck!

I don`t understand the ice cream reception after the reception.

In Europe, it is not uncommon to have more than one guest list. I have attended several weddings overseas and this is how it works: Only the very closest people come to the actual service part of the wedding (at the church), the next round of people is invited for dinner at the hall where the reception is, and finally, anyone and everyone is invited to the after-dinner drinking and dancing.

My point is: Have you considered adding people instead of taking people away? You`re very right in thinking that you could have people sticking around that you weren`t planning for. If you just add people, it seems as if things would go much more smoothly.

Just a few thoughts. Hope you have a GREAT wedding!

Just to clarify, I don`t know where the ice cream came in. I am having a cake and punch reception for everone, in the afternoon, following the ceremony. In the evening, I am having a sit-down dinner for family and close friends, particularly those who have helped me with the wedding. The dinner is $50 per plate, and I just can`t justify the cost of feeding everyone. I am paying for this out of my own savings, and I refuse to go into debt.

There was similar situation on Oprah, and the etiquette experts agreed that having two guest lists is perfectly acceptable considering the circumstances.

Did you read how ridiculous it sounds? You`re only inviting those that helped you with the wedding? If that`s the case, then you shouldn`t have a problem asking the other 100 to pay for their $50 plate! You are the one that chose to have a wedding and reception. Why have such a huge list if you can`t afford it? My question is. Are both receptions at the same location? If so, what are you going to do when it`s time for dinner? Make an announcement and ask those not invited to leave? We`re not in Europe! It may be ok and done in other countries, but I`ve never heard of such a thing! Why not do a cheaper buffet style dinner instead of a sit down dinner? I`m sure then you`ll have enough to feed everyone at a lower cost!

It is a little frustrating that someone comes here for help and all they get is a bunch of people saying that having 2 receptions is rude. If you want to have 2 receptions, do it. Everyone has their own reasons for doing whatever they choose to do at their wedding. I am sure that we are not the only 2 people to have 2 receptions, and if we are, then so be it. It is what we have chosen to do, and the question wasn`t really if it was rude of if that was the best option, the question was what kinds of things to do at the reception. I have already said my piece answering this question. Sorry if I seem a little hostile, but i get tired of reading a bunch of judgemental posts.

All this person is asking for is suggestions for activities for the reception. Not everyone`s critique of what she has planned. We have planned a beach wedding in Aruba and the only people going are my fiance`s adult kids. Then we are having a reception for family and close friends when we come home. I am looking for similar ideas, as we are not having a dj or band. We would like for it to be unique and fun. Ideas people, not ridicule!

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