s A COURIER SUN SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT bridal bride today QUEENS WINTER 2015 Let the fun begin! BY TRESA ERICKSON Receptions used to be the place where guests mingled among food and friends and danced the night away before seeing the bride and groom off on their honeymoon. While great for guests who liked to dance, receptions did not offer guests who would rather not dance much to do other than to sit around and chat. If you were seated next to someone you knew, great. If not, you better prepare for a lot of small talk. But, now things are changing. Today many brides and grooms offer a variety of activities in addition to dancing to bring guests together and keep them entertained. Couples are recognizing that guests may not know each other and are incorporating ice breakers into their receptions. These can run the gamut from mad libs to trivia quizzes to story time. Instead of making small talk about the fl ower arrangements, for example, guests can get to know each other as they refl ect on an episode in their life in the year the penny next to their plate was made. Once the ice is broken, couples can keep the fun going with games that everyone can play. Bingo, garter relays, musical chairs, scavenger hunts and trivia quizzes are all games that can build camaraderie and keep guests entertained. In addition to helping guests get to know each other through group activities, couples are also recognizing the need for individual activities other than dancing. They are setting up tables for guests to play cards and board games and TVs and game consoles for guests to play video games. They are bringing out the basketballs, lawn darts and croquet sets for guests who like to be outdoors. With more to do, many guests are staying longer, making all of the time and money spent in planning the wedding more worthwhile. While some couples opt for the traditional reception dinner and dancing, others are going for a more laidback atmosphere, providing a wide range of activities for guests to take part in. The choice is yours. You can throw in some ice breakers amid dinner and dancing, or you can go all out and provide games and activities from beginning to end. Consider the needs of your guests and plan accordingly.
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