Is it possible to have a wedding without dancing ?

You could try alternate activities to keep the conversation moving.

You could have a trivia contest.

You could put disposable cameras at each place so that people can take candid snaps, which sparks conversation.

Baptists do it all the time. How about having a jazz quartet playing? We recently went to a bar mitzvah party which was a jazz themed luncheon; it was shorter than most parties with dancing but not boring.

Sure you can! That is exactly what we did – lunchtime, 40–50 people and no dancing or tossing the bouquet or garter.

You could put pretty note paper on each table and ask each guest to write their favorite memory of you as a couple or individually – that should spark some good conversation and give you a fun, meaningful memory from the day. Much more personal than just a guest book.

There is no need for dancing. People will never be bored as long as you give them booze.

I went to a very small wedding this past summer that did not include dancing. The ceremony was held at a small mansion that was turned into an art museum of sorts, and the reception was held at a steakhouse. The reception was basically just cocktails, socializing, and dinner while a harpist played music, and that was it. It was a bit odd, as I’d never been to a wedding without dancing before, but it was still very enjoyable…very relaxed and low key, which was nice. @iamthemob is definitely right about the booze…it included a full open bar (even Glenlivet, schwing!), which I definitely appreciated…it more than made up for the unexpectedness of no dancing!

@Frankie Glenlivet? Uhm, wanna marry me? I like Glenlivet…

Yes! Glenfiddich is my fav, though…but they didn’t have that, so I settled for Glenlivet ;)

I second booze!

I guess you can’t have background music either or people would start dancing. So I suggest
wine, beer and a lovely buffet.

We didn’t dance at our wedding. It’s your day to plan, I think you should do whatever you like.

After a ceremony in my glass and light living room (music provided by a family member who played the piano), we had the reception line and champagne on my deck.

Then a lovely and leisurely luncheon under a tent on the lawn…poached salmon, cucumber salad, green salad, crusty bread, and wedding cake…followed by all the young people changing back into shorts and t-shirts. They played frisbee.

Ben was probably 7, had a broken leg in a cast and was primarily interested in the cake.

If you don’t want dancing, don’t have it! If I were going to an early-afternoon wedding, I wouldn’t expect dancing. Have some yummy food and some drinks; you could have some music playing, either live or recorded, if you would like (I think it’d be nice – some of your favourite songs) just don’t have space available for dancing. No one would care. You could have karaoke to keep people entertained, if you’re worried about boredom. Just make sure all the staff, etc. understand that there will be no performance by the bride and groom :)

You’re planning to have a small wedding. The people you’re inviting will be those closest to you and your fiance. They’ll know you well enough to understand that you’re not spotlight people.

Honestly, it’s your wedding, you can do whatever you want. Arrive at the wedding on an elephant, play techno during the ceremony, etc…

My father had both my brother and I as his best men for his second wedding.

@erichw1504 – “My father had both my brother and I as his best men for his second wedding.”

A good friend of mine had a man of honour rather than a maid of honour; her best friend is male and she couldn’t imagine not including him. So yeah, who cares about convention? It’s your day; make it yours through and through.

@erichw1504 – you know that weddings are rarely “yours” when you’re the one getting married. ;-)

The stress involved with making everyone happy and “visiting” during the reception – I wonder why people even have them anymore.

oh…yeah…presents. ;-)

We had neither dancing nor alcohol at our wedding. We also had the reception buffet style, so people could mix around and sit wherever they liked. This encouraged people to get to know each other, and I don’t think anyone was bored.