So you have a great DJ/Band and that you think is going to make your guests tear up the dancefloor, eh? Not so fast, you need a few other key items in place in order to have a truly insane dance party.
Toasts
Don’t have more than a parent and a best man/maid of honor speak. Seriously. And when you ask that person to speak, tell them they have no more than 3 minutes. Nothing kills a party like like three 8 minute speeches in a row. Don’t you know that’s what the rehearsal dinner is for? Oh, and have said people speak before dinner so after dinner is saved for boogieing .
Lighting
If you read my blog, you know how important I believe lighting is (more important than flowers, sorry, florists!) and I think that any good reception has two lighting levels: ” romanticaldinnertime” and “sexydanceytime“. Sexydanceytime usually involves me crawling around the room unplugging the uplights if I don’t have a standby guy on hand, but it’s worth it. People like to get their freak on in dim lighting.
Location
Make sure your band/DJ is right on the dance floor with nothing (like tables) to come between their love. They and the dancers feed off each others energy like rock stars and groupies. Also make sure your bar is in the same room. The closer to the dance floor, the better. And if dancing is really your thing don’t dilute your reception with other activities such as photo booths. If you want your guests to be slaves to the beat you have to keep them captive.
Nix the band OR do a band/DJ combo
Bands have to take breaks every 45 minutes. Nuff said.
and last but not least
Cake. That damn cake.
This is my most hated time of the evening: it’s 10:15 PM and the dance floor is rocking. There are 1.75 hours left of this party. The photographer has to end at 10:30 or overtime will ensue. I tell the MC that we’ll be cutting the cake after the next song and the announcement is made. Dance floor fizzles out and never returns to its original glory. My advice? Cut the cake right after dinner or sneak away with your parents & photographers to cut it then get back to the floor to shake what your momma gave ya.
Proof that the above works? Feast your eyes on the party that was Andie & Doug’s wedding reception. They got married one year ago today, actually! Happy anniversary, lovebirds! xo
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