Here’s How to Get Everyone on the Dance Floor
At Infinity Play Entertainment, we work to make sure that everyone that even has an inkling that they might like to dance… gets out on that dance floor! Now is the time to break loose, dance through the night and celebrate! So… how do you get everyone out on the dance floor?
First… start the night off right
The song that comes after the first dance, the parent dances, etc… is thought to be the most crucial for setting the tone for the night. It should be considered just like a first dance song - it’s that important! Popular choices are “Shout” by the Isley Brothers - it works because it’s timeless, a classic AND high energy. Another popular choice is “Amazed” by Lonestar. This one works because even if someone doesn’t “know how to dance,” they most likely are comfortable enough with slow dancing, or their partner will drag them out for that slow dance… thus getting them comfortable right away with being out on the dance floor. High energy OR slow - this formula works better than somewhere in between!
Not working? Trick them with a group photo
No shame in a little trick that will result in a great memory, too! Sometime people are just too shy to make that walk to the dance floor. After the main dances (first dance, etc.) we have everyone head to the dance floor for a group photo with the bride and groom in front. Then, we play a fun song that everyone knows - and then the guests are more likely to stay!
Then… the bride and groom should be doing their part
Obviously, the bride and groom are going to be mingling with everyone, chatting and thanking them… but if the bride and groom disappear, the dance floor tends to clear, too. This is because people are watching and paying attention to the bride and groom throughout the night - if they don’t like they’re having fun or into it, the guests will pick up on that. If dancing isn’t your thing as the bride or groom, make sure to enlist your bridal party. Part of their “job” is to have a good time and set the tone for the party!
Let us handle the playlist
As a bride previously, this one was hard for me to swallow at my first wedding. If your wedding reception is solid four hours of continuous music, and an average song is 4 minutes, that’s 15 songs an hour, and 60 songs throughout those four hours. It can be enticing to select all 60 MUST PLAY songs… but let the DJ/MC, the person you hired to do the job, do their job. At Infinity Play Entertainment, we absolutely want to know your “do not play” songs or genres, and we absolutely want to know your “must play” songs… but hope that you can put your trust in us to read the crowd. We want you to enjoy your special day.
Don’t lose the momentum
Be sure to do the special dances, the cake cutting, the entire meal, toasts and speeches BEFORE the dance floors opens and really gets the party going. This may even mean foregoing or moving the traditional garter toss or bouquet toss, that often gets placed in the middle of the night. Nothing clears a dance floor faster than an event that not everyone qualifies for!
Consider the party size
This is an especially important point as we continue to wade through the COVID-19 pandemic and what that means for parties. Some guests may not be comfortable dancing in the first place, and even less comfortable dancing around and close to others. As time moves on, the point is to remember the party size - if there are only 50 guests total, the dance floor may not appear packed. If there are 250 guests, it’ll be more likely to be or appear packed.
