We are having an intimate wedding and reception. It is a destination wedding for my family and his family lives within an hour of the resort. We have 23 invited guests – just immediate family and 4 friends. Based on our family’s personalities, I don’t see us dancing, but we will have music. What are we going to do besides toast, eat and cut cake? Plus our families don’t know each other. Is there something we can do to get guests to mingle? Musical Chairs? 😆
Amy Rubins, Fete Perfection, Professional Bridal Consultant certified by the Association of Bridal Consultants, Certified Destination Wedding Specialist
Can you schedule a pre-wedding activity such as snorkeling, scuba, fishing, zip-lining, kayaking or a half-day site seeing trip of the area? Generally when you “force” everyone into a fun outing like that you will find everyone is calmer and more at ease when it comes to the wedding day. On your wedding day I recommend food stations which forces your guests to get up and seek out their food rather than stay put in their chairs and be served. I’ve also seen a chef give interactive cooking lessons during a reception or offer a wine tasting class…these activities help to break the ice and get everyone acquainted and comfortable with each other.
Let me add, a beach BBQ with casual food is another ice breaker – do it as your welcome evening. Good luck and have fun!
Donna, Wedding Queen, President; Top Wedding Sites
Terrific and fun ideas. If you don’t intend t pay for these activities, be careful how you make mention of them so as not to seem as though you’re inviting your guests to these events. When you invite, you pay. :rolleyes:
Emmanuela Stanislaus, Precious Occasions, Wedding and Event Planner
I agree with the previous advice from the other experts.
Since it’s such an intimate group, I would suggest having a long feast table for everyone to enjoy dinner. I’ve found that the feast table allows for more conversation. Another idea is to have everyone at the table introduce themselves, how they know you, and a funny story about either of you or the both of you as a couple. That is sure to encourage laughs and conversation.
Good luck planning!
Donna, Wedding Queen, President; Top Wedding Sites,
Great ideas for planning the shower.
Just note that the bride shouldn’t be involved in the planning, other than offering an appropriate date and guest lit. Offer these ideas, if asked, or send your hosts t us here for advice!
Brandi Hamerstone,
Owner/Senior Wedding Planner All Events Planned
Well, most of them are going to be cheesy ideas but they are ideas but this one is my favorite- You can play a game where someone will read off a description or detail about someone and then your guests have to guess whether it is describing the bride or the groom.
If you setup your reception as “station style” menu you can give them the opportunity to walk around while they are getting food, as opposed to having served which just puts them in their chairs the entire time.
Those are only two ideas for your reception to get people talking during that time. If you really want to do something “fun” you can put people at different tables with different people so they have to get to know new people 🙂 It isn’t always a popular idea but it works!
Good luck!