Category Archives: wedding dance tips

Ideas that Get Your Wedding Guests Dancing

disco balls from a wedding danceIt’s every couple’s worst nightmare: an empty dance floor. We all can see why: couples spend a lot of time planning every detail, doing everything they can do to make sure that their guests have fun. That’s why the sight of an empty dance floor can be such a letdown. It doesn’t have to be—especially if you use these tips to get your wedding guests on the dance floor (and keep them there!).

Hire a good DJ.

If you want to get your wedding guests on the floor, the logical first step is to hire a pro that has the experience to make it happen. An experienced DJ is more than just a voice urging your guests out on the dance floor; a good DJ has the expertise and the play list to make it happen. Lean on that expertise; while you may hate a certain genre of music, a good playlist is key to getting and keeping your wedding guests on the dance floor.

Make an entrance.

If you want to get the “joint jumping”—or in this case, set the mood for a great wedding reception—start with your plans for the time before the wedding dance. Plan a fantastic entrance into the wedding reception (we’ve given you ideas for a fun wedding reception entrance here). Make your guests look forward to the dance by creating a high energy atmosphere before your guests hit the dance floor.

Hit the dance floor yourself.

Want your guests on the dance floor? Lead by example. Hit the dance floor yourself and bring a few friends.

Don’t make them leave the dance floor.

Minimize the amount of times your guests leave the dance floor because they might not return. Make sure your first dance or father-daughter (or mother-son) dance doesn’t go too long. An experienced DJ can also use the right songs and announcements to get everyone back out dancing.

Give your guests a dance lesson.

To get your guests out on the dance floor, give them a reason. Hire a dance instructor to give your wedding guests a dance lesson that they’ll want to flock to.

Be very careful when you compile your ‘Do not play’ list.

A good DJ should ask for songs you want played and songs you do not want played at the reception. As tempting as it might be to make a list a mile long, too many songs on that list can hurt your attendance on the dance floor. Some of those wedding song classics that make your skin crawl are also what draw your guests to the dance floor.

Surprise your guests.

Make your guests want to see what all the fuss is about out on the dance floor. Use a surprise like a celebrity impersonator, team mascot, or confetti (more ideas for wedding reception surprises in this blog post) to get your wedding guests on the dance floor—and keep them there.

8 Tips That’ll Keep Your Wedding Guests on the Dance Floor

bride and guests having fun on dance floor with wedding guestsA friend of ours recently attended a wedding (that we didn’t deejay!).  She came back with a sad report: the activity on the dance floor was way less than stellar, and the bride was in a corner in tears because no one was dancing.  If you want to avoid the same wedding reception fate (and tears) use these tips to keep your guests going until their dancing shoes wear out:

Hire the best

In addition to reporting on a crying bride, our friend also gave a full report of an “okay wedding DJ” who wasn’t able to keep the guests dancing at the wedding reception.  If you want the best results, hire the best DJ for the job (one that doesn’t regard every wedding as the same); we’ve given you tips on how to select a top-notch wedding DJ for your big day in this blog post.  Don’t wait; the best DJ’s calendars fill up quickly.

Create a dance floor that’s not too big and not too small

Be like the fairytale character Goldilocks: a small cramped dance floor is going to repel your wedding guests and so is a huge dance floor that always looks empty.  The right dance floor size is dependent upon the amount of guests you are expecting; every guest should need 3-4 square feet for dancing.  Remember, not every guest is going to be on your dance floor.  Make sure your dance floor is close to drinks so your guests stay hydrated and ready to go.

Give your guests the chance to interact

As appealing as it may be to skip the cost of a DJ or band, don’t underestimate your guests’ need—and the success of the night—on the amount of interaction.  As such, hire a professional to create an interactive evening where the guests can request and take an active part in the fun.  Give them that chance early; ask your guests for song requests on your invitations—and choose a DJ that can honor those requests.

Get the dancing started

One the best ways to get everyone out on the floor: lead by example.  As the bride, groom, or member of the wedding party, head out onto the dance floor—and bring others with you!

Don’t stop the momentum

Schedule accordingly.  Once you’ve got your guests dancing, keep them dancing.  Try not to interrupt the flow of the evening by doing a cake cutting or other activity that takes them away from the fun.

Be careful what you put on your ‘Do Not Play’ list

Another friend of ours told us about a bride with a looooong list of songs she didn’t want played at her wedding.  Her list included some of the most common local dancing songs.  When it comes to drafting a play list for your wedding, listen to your DJ.  Hire an experienced DJ who can use their experience to draft a play list that gets—and keeps— guests on the dance floor.  You don’t want your lengthy ‘do not play’ list to keep everyone from having fun.

Feed them

If you want to keep your guests on the dance floor, give them the fuel to do so.  Talk to your caterer about a late night course (including drinks-you don’t want your guests to get dehydrated), order pizzas, or have a food truck pull up for a fun and delicious surprise.  If your wedding has a theme, continue your theme by selecting late night food that fits with the theme (i.e. quesadillas for a Mexican-themed night, snow cones for a summer picnic, etc.)

Have fun!

Fun is contagious.  Do everything you can to get your guests out on the dance floor, and have fun!

8 Tips for an Awesomely Fun Wedding Reception

guests dancing to wedding reception entertainmentTrying to plan a memorable wedding reception? We’ve been privileged to be part of a few wedding receptions (or 10 or 1,000 or so…) Though each wedding reception is uniquely different, there are some steps you can take when planning to make your wedding reception an incredible and unforgettable night of fun.

Don’t put off hiring the best wedding reception entertainment (you want the best!).

The saying “if you snooze you lose” is very, VERY relevant to wedding reception entertainment. To get the best, and have a GREAT time, make sure to book your wedding entertainment early—as soon as you have a date, time, and confirmed wedding venue.

Set up kid fun zones.

Hire a babysitter to watch kids in another room, or set up tables with coloring books, crayons, and paper table cloths specifically for your youngest guests. If the weather is nice, you can also keep them entertained with bubbles and fun yard games.

Limit the time of wedding toasts, and photo slideshows, and videos, and…

There is such thing as too much (really!). To keep your wedding reception running smoothly, and your guests in a good mood, keep your dinner slideshows, toasts, and other dinner entertainment to a minimum. Finally, don’t get so caught up in your dinner program that you don’t allow time for your guests to enjoy each other’s company and talk.

Plan more food than just a dinner.

If you want your guests to have a good time and stay on the dance floor, plan on fueling their dancing moves with refreshments throughout the evening. Ask your caterer to set out finger foods periodically, or order a pizza (if your wedding venue allows) late in the evening.

Hire a GOOD DJ for the perks.

A good DJ is worth their weight in gold (read how you can tell the difference between amateurs and good DJs here). In addition to keeping your dance floor going, a DJ can also offer ceremony music, an emcee for the dinner and dance, a coordinator with your photographer and videographer (so they get the good shots), lighting, and an awesome sound system.

Give your guests more to do than just dance.

Since you’re providing your little ones coloring tables and fun time, do the same for the adults (minus the coloring books). Rent a photo booth (or contact a company that includes photo booths as part of their entertainment package) for a documented night of fun.

Surprise!

Give your guests a pleasant surprise at your reception: something unique that fits you and your fiancé and no one else knows about. It could be a choreographed first dance, a memory-filled table, video full of thank you’s, or a surprise ride for your first wedding night.

Enjoy yourself.

Relax. Have fun! Your awesome wedding reception is the culmination of all your hard work. Dance the night away with your friends and family and enjoy every second.