9 Tune-up Tips for Your Dance Floor by Mark Beecher
Do you want your dance floor to achieve
full performance and not break down in the middle of your party? Give
your reception a tune up by following these recommended procedures
and your celebration will start easier, run smoother, and go the distance!
Step one: Center your dance floor in
the middle of the room with the entertainment (DJ or band) set up as close
to the dance floor as possible. This spreads the sound evenly and
will send the traffic to dance floor with the least congestion.
Step two: Keep the bar, and if you are
having one, the photo-booth in the same room as the dance floor.
Separating a crowd into different areas reduces the chance of group
fun and involvement.
Step Three: Once the dancing starts,
don't lose the momentum that will be building. For instance, make sure the speeches, cake cutting, and group photos are done before the dancing begins- including the formal dances.
Step four: Stay close to the dance floor. The temptation of hanging out at the bar or on the
outside patio might be strong, but it will also take away from the
action on the dance floor. You and your new spouse will be a magnet
for where your guests want to be.
Step five – Nothing will clear a
dance floor quicker than bare feet and broken glass. The clean up crew with mops and brooms will send the dancing to a grinding halt.
Consider having the bar switch to plastic drink-ware when the dance
floor opens, or shortly after. Also consider foam coozies for beer
bottles.
Step six – Resist the urge to step
out “for a few minutes” with the photographer for some late night
pictures. If the guests start wondering where you are, they might
think the party is close to over and start to leave.
Step seven – If you are like most of
the couples we work with, you don't want any cheesy wedding songs
played at your reception. Believe me, we get it – BUT, consider
allowing your DJ to play one or two in case of an emergency. Songs
like Shout, Cha Cha Slide and YMCA (shudder) do bring people together and can
revitalize a stalling dance floor.
Step eight – Create an atmosphere
that promotes dancing. Guests feel less awkward dancing when the room
is dimly lit – Ask the banquet manager to turn down the overhead house lights
after the formal dances. Additionally, a room temperature of 70 degrees
when the guests arrive will quickly rise to an uncomfortable
temperature after a couple of hours. If the room starts to get hot,
don't hesitate to ask your venue to make the room cooler!
Step nine – Finally, end the evening on an up
note! In the world of entertainment, the adage “Leave them wanting
more” also applies to your celebration. Don't let your party fizzle
out. Two and a half or three hours of dancing is MORE than enough. Also, think about
ending your party at 11:00. Most of your older guests will want to be
home before midnight and most of your younger guests will be itching
to hit the bars.
Do you want your last dance to be
romantic or wrap up with a fun group circle song? Work those details out with your DJ along
with the rest of these details and your dance floor will be firing on
all cylinders and be remembered by friends and family for years to come!
