Do you wake up in a cold sweat after having nightmares about your wedding day? There are so many things that could go wrong, so it is normal to carry some of that stress with you to sleep. Remember, there are so many ways everything could go right as well. If you dream of having a big and boisterous dance party on your big day, use these tips to help you get everyone up and dancing at your wedding reception.
Organize a Group Photo During Your Event
A quick and easy way to break the ice at your reception is to organize an early group photo where you gather all the guests onto the dance floor for fun group poses. It might take as long as 15 minutes to get everyone in place, so use that time to turn on the tunes and set the mood. As soon as the photographer gets the shots, have your DJ switch to a dance track that everyone will love. With this simple strategy, you'll have a dance party in no time.
Choose the Right Tracks To Build Momentum
The perfect dance party is all about momentum, so you need to put in a lot of thought when it comes to your playlist and choosing the right tracks. If you put your song selection on random, you might unintentionally kill the dance vibes before the party even gets started. The last thing you want is for the most bumping tracks of the night to play while everyone is sitting down to eat.
At the same time, if you play too many slow songs in a row, your wedding reception will feel more like a cheesy romantic drama than a fun party. Keep the energy and beats stable throughout your reception, and focus on building momentum towards the latter half of your event after everyone has eaten.
Play the Hits From Different Decades
To create an inclusive dance party atmosphere, play hit tracks from different decades. When you look at your guest list, you might wonder how to appease people of so many different ages. An easy way to do that is to bring in classic dance songs from various time periods. A few timeless options are:
- "Shout" - The Isley Brothers, 1950s
- "I Want You Back" - The Jackson 5, 1960s
- "Dancing Queen" - ABBA, 1970s
- "I Wanna Dance With Somebody" - Whitney Houston, 1980s
- "Macarena" - Los Del Rio, 1990s
- "Hips Don't Lie" - Shakira, 2000s
- "Shake It Off" - Taylor Swift, 2010s
Be the Example You Want To See on the Floor
No matter how great your preparation is, you still need to set a good example on the day of your reception. This is easier said than done. Planning and executing a wedding is exhausting, and you may feel like sitting down and resting on the day of your reception. In many parts of South Asia and the Himalayas, weddings take place over many days with one entire evening event dedicated to dancing and music. Your wedding and reception are probably going to happen on the same day, so set aside time to drink that second or third coffee before your party.
If you can muster up enough energy to get out and shake your thing to the music, your guests will appreciate it. After all, your guests want to celebrate you. They will rally to the dance floor if you make it out there first.
Don't forget to include your favorite songs on your reception playlist. It's okay to be a little bit selfish on your wedding day. No matter what happens on your big day, as long as you and your partner get the support and love you deserve, it will be a successful event.