Ask the Wedding Expert: Budgets & More

My problem is, I've been planning my wedding (which is only gonna have 40 adults, and 22 kids) at my church (which my pastor is giving me for FREE).  Wedding is in December 19, 2009.  I've been planning everything, and I had done the seating chart in mind to leave the middle of the floor open for dancing.  Last week during our pre marital counseling the pastor informed me that they don't allow dancing because of past bad acts of other people they've done this for.  So my situation now is what kind of activities can we do at the reception to keep people entertained without danicing.  And am I really gonna hate myself for missing my first dance with my husband and the dance with my dad?  Someone please help me!!!!  Any suggestions are very much appreciated and needed!!!  Thanks

We can't answer whether you'll hate yourself if you don't have your first dances.  That's really a personal choice.  They were a special moment for me but some people really don't care.

As for other activities, I'd consider getting some games together for the tables, especially since you will have so many children present.  You could play games as a group (bingo, etc) or have games at the tables.  You may want to put crayons/markers, etc at the tables and cover the tables in paper for people to draw on.  You could also do some sort of craft activity where people write you and your hubby a note of congratulations or tips for a happy marriage.

I'd play music in the background anyway (not dance music, but relaxing dinner music) and plan to have a shorter reception.  If people know eachother they'll probably do a lot of talking anyway.

Good luck!

Melissa

A lot of wedding in my area are that way as several of our local churches have banned dancing. Usually they have piano playing in the background and food. At some the brides open their gifts (which I personally dont' like as it is sort of a one upper activity I think) Some of the churches also don't allow toasts b/c it represents drinking - even if they use juice or something it still brings drinking to mind. Go figure. (how DID I wind up in the bible belt???)

You always have the option of moving the reception. In life, sometimes free isn't all it is cracked up to be. Personally, you only get one wedding and you need to make it right for YOU JMHO.

(WE did not have dancing b/c I was young when I got married and my parents and their friends were "old" and mom wanted either a chello type thing or swing music and I wanted a dj and it was one fight after another and I was sick of it so we just didn't. I dont' regret it but my dh doesn't dance so no loss. WE had a reception at a local restaurant (beautiful!!!) and had good food, and toasts, and visiting)

If you've been planning a first dance and always imagined it in your head, I would at least make some phone calls and see if there's another place available at a reasonable price. I live in a rural area so I've been to wedding receptions that were held in barns and even garages, which can be fun if you're going for a casual theme.

If you decide to stick with the church, at most weddings I've been to, the best part of the reception is catching up with friends and family members so just being able to talk to people and having plenty of food and beverages available would be entertainment enough for me.