5 Secrets To Get Your Guests To Dance

Let’s Get Your Guests Moving With These 5 Easy Steps

1)  Get Them Comfortable:  When first arriving at a wedding reception some guests tend to be complacent and reserved with new faces  A challenge you’ll want to quickly address is getting them comfortable with each other and their surroundings.   A great way break to break the ice is to provide a fun and interactive game during cocktail hour and/or dinner.  Simple games like the Mirror Kiss, Scavenger Hunts, or even Put-for-a-kiss works great.  For some great ideas check out TheKnot.com or even Google reception games.  There are tons of great resources out there.

 2)  Get Them Moving: During dinner guests often slow down due to the decrease in physical activity and from the consumption of food and liquor. This slow down in physical activity creates a shutdown in their adrenaline.  As you probably guessed it, this is not something you want right before you open your dance floor.  During dessert you’ll want to be sure to increase your guests movement to increase their endorphins and to promote a sense of ease.

One of the greatest things about it being your wedding day is you’re the boss!  You can boss your bridal party around a little bit.  So tell the bridal party that part of their job is to dance, and to ask other people to dance.  After 10 years of DJing, I’ve noticed that guests are more apt to dance when there are already people dancing. So make it part of your plan to be on the dance floor at least 40% of the evening with your dance floor.  This is tried and proven.  It will work!

3)  Create An Atmosphere:  After dinner you may want to try a karaoke sing-a-long to get the spirit going. Audience participation, where your guests function as a unit, rather than as individuals, builds confidence and relieves their some of their inhibitions. The wedding event will flow smoothly when everybody’s at ease and you don’t have to pump them full of liquor to get there

A simple technique to raise the energy level is a song that everybody knows with a fun activity tossed in. “That’s Amore” or “Sweet Caroline” are fun songs that everyone knows and can help reflects the romance of the evening.  Set to music, your emcee might suggest that your guests raise their dinner napkins over their heads and sway to the beat of the tune as they sing along.   Once the crowd gets their endorphins pumped, you’re ready to introduce the first dance for the bride and groom.

4)  Play the Music They Like:  Variety in music is key when it comes to a successful wedding reception.  What appeals to your high school friends will not be exactly the same as your work colleagues.  Try to have your DJ mix things up and play a little of each.  If your DJ does things right your guests who come up for The Bee Gees will stick around for Justin Timberlake.  A great way to feel your crowd out before the reception is to have them request a song for dancing on their reply cards.  This not only gets your guests involved but it also ensures the wedding music appeals to their specific tastes.

 5)  Don’t Forget The Older Guests:  Be sure to take care of your older guests.  Sure you want your friends to have a good time, but don’t forget about the older folks.  They should be equally involved in the fun throughout the evening.  Older guests generally are  the first to leave so be sure to cater the music towards them during the first hour of open dancing.  You’d be surprised at how many great songs came the 40s, 50s and 60s.  Be sure to play some songs like by.  Some great suggestions would be The Supremes, Jerry Lee Lewis, and of course Elvis Presley!