Here are just a few tips to help you ensure a busy dancefloor at your event. They are only suggestions and you don’t need to take all of them too seriously but ignore all of them at your peril!
Lighting
Most of us are not used to dancing if the lights are on too high. If it’s a bright summer evening people may not dance until it gets towards dusk. Make sure that the venue can dim the lights where the dancing is to take place. Your wedding DJ should be able to create the right atmosphere with classy moving lights and a few up-lighters to give the room and the dancefloor some ambience. For a wedding less is often more and you really don’t need a lot of cheap fixtures that produce random dots – better to have a few lights well-controlled.
Don’t be tempted to hire a massive white dancefloor! A white floor looks great on your early evening pictures but it can be daunting for people to get up. Being too bright can cause a lack of atmosphere. Even if there are lots of people up dancing, when the dance floor is too big, the space can look empty. A packed floor feels more like a party, and you’ll encourage more people to get up when the dance floor is full of energy.
Right Music at the Right Time
Following any set pieces (formal dances, break for buffet etc) classic tunes that everyone knows will get more people on the floor. You may love the idea of playing one of your favourite tracks but experience tells me it’s better to go with something popular! Another great idea is to invite other couples and family onto the dance-floor straight after formal dances. That way they’re likely to stay when the party really gets going. A DJ’s job is to know how to vary the tone, tempo and energy of your music. It’s not always the best plan to go as big as possible as early as possible. In fact, it’s unadvisable to go too loud too soon too!
Have a Rest
Don’t start too early. Allow everyone to have a rest if they need one. I’ll still play great music and some people can dance before the main event begins! Let the food to go down and let people to have a few drinks and catch up with friends and family! I’d definitely suggest waiting at least an hour before starting the first dance, and then go from there.
A Bit of Everything
Play something for everyone there – that means suiting all age groups. A good wedding DJ should try play tunes from lots of genres, appealing to grandparents, parents, friends and children. It’s about keeping everyone entertained, and playing something that all ages know and enjoy. You and your friends may well love UK Garage or Drum n’ Bass but if it gives your other guests a headache they will make their excuses and leave!
Volume
Since we already mentioned volume, please check if there’s a sound limiter. Some venues have limiters which cut out the music completely if it gets too loud. More sensitive limiters can really put a dampener on the night when you can hear your guests chattering louder than the music (trust me, it happens a lot). It’s not only music that sets these off but an enthusiastic crowd will too so if you’re having a lively party try to check if your venue has a limiter before you book. It’s too late after you have signed when you find that a DJ can play at barely above background level!
Choose the Right Venue
This one can be a little tougher – please try to keep the bar and other entertainment in the same room as the dance floor. People start to loosen up once they’ve had a few proseccos, so when the bar is close to the dance floor you’re on to a winner. If the bar is in a separate room, you’re going to lose your thirsty dancers and it’s sometimes difficult to drag people back. Often lots of guests may stand by the bar and not be seen all night! The same applies if you have other entertainment like a photobooth etc in different rooms. Nothing kills atmosphere like a party being in 4 different places!
Let the Party Flow
Please, no interruptions once the party’s started. Pausing to cut the cake, make a toast, or getting everyone outside for a group photo or fireworks etc will empty the dancefloor and it can be tricky to get everyone back into the flow. Try to get everything done before the dancing starts, letting the party build, so the floor stays packed until the very end. There may well be a lull during buffet but if some people want to keep dancing then I keep the party going.
Trust Your DJ
Hopefully you’ve done a lot of research and interviewed your DJ. You’ve booked a professional, now have some faith in them. It’s very helpful to have an idea of the songs you love and those that you really don’t want, but try not to turn your DJ into a human jukebox. I want to play music that reminds you of your guests, reminds them of you and each other! It creates better memories for everyone.
Allow your DJ to change up the tunes as needed, not just stick with your pre-arranged list especially if it isn’t working. I’m definitely not a fan of the cheese, but once people have had a few they’re probably asking for the Macarena! A bit of ironical fun is great let’s not have a whole night as an awful cheese-fest!
Vary the Music
It’s eay to look like you have a busy dancefloor by keeping the same 15 people dancing all night. However that means that the majority of your guests haven’t danced. A great DJ will rotate the dancers so that everyone who wanted to, gets the opportunity to dance during your event. At and wedding 1/3 of guests will dance to anything 1/3 of guests willrarely dance at all and the remaining 1/3 will only dance if they feel like it. The key is to get most of that 2/3 on the floor and who knows, everyone may join in!
Take to the Floor
Finally, your guests want to be near you. If you spend all evening outside chatting or catching up at the bar with friends then that’s fine but it will negatively affect your dancefloor. The best way to fill up your dance floor is for you to dance. Don’t make the critical mistake of spending the entire night making the rounds and chatting to every single table in the room. People will wait patiently at their tables for you. If you get on the floor, friends and family won’t be able to resist joining you.
Please check out my Facebook page and my website for more ideas
www.Facebook.com/MKParties.co.uk
http://www.Twitter.com/MK_Parties
Call me on 07866 222 733 or email Roger@MKParties.co.uk
