11 Ways to Pack Your Dance Floor (all night long!)

Every bride wants their reception dance floor packed, and years of experience as a wedding entertainer have taught me a few tricks that can make your dance floor vibrate with the celebratory beat of numerous feet. Following these easy tips can make a bit difference in the success of your dance party.

1. Rent a smaller dance floor. A huge dance floor can appear empty, even when a nice-sized crowd is jamming on the floorboards. Smaller dance floors look full faster, ramping up the energy level in the room and giving shy guests the courage they need to join the fun. Rental companies may insist that you need 2.5 square feet per person for your dance floor. Instead, rent a floor that’s 25 percent smaller than the suggested formula. If people want to dance, they’ll do so whether there’s space on the official floor or not. Leave plenty of room around the perimeter, (free of tables and chairs), for additional dancers.

2. Turn the lights down low. A dimly-lit dance area works best. Keep in mind that daylight lasts as late as 10:00 p.m. in the summer months. If the hall’s windows face west, make sure there are shades you can drop or blinds you can close to keep out the last rays of light. Keep an eye on your photographer, who will try to brighten the dance area for picture-taking, and delegate someone to keep a hand on the light switch.

3. Say no to videographers that require “spotlights” on the dance floor. There’s nothing like the sudden glare of a spotlight to make camera-shy guests scurry from the dance floor. New high definition (HD) cameras allow videographers to avoid the use of harsh lights and capture dancers on tape much more unobtrusively. Be sure to ask around and find a videographer that uses HD.

4. Keep the hall doors closed. Busy hallways can be distractions for your guests. Redirect their attention to the dance floor by closing doors that lead to gathering areas outside the room.

5. Locate the bar inside the room, if at all possible. After dinner, the dance area is the focal point for your party. Guests leaving the room for drinks can’t hear the music and won’t be able to dance if their requested songs are played. Placing the bar in the room keeps guests within listening range and able to respond to their favorite songs on the dance floor.
6. Play requests. People like to hear familiar music and dance to their favorite songs. The more your DJ honors song requests, the more likely your dance floor will be filled. Ask him to leave plenty of room in his music schedule for their requests.

7. Keep “do not play” lists to a minimum. You may have a lengthy list of songs you don’t want to hear, but those may be the tunes people are waiting to dance to. Allow your DJ to play the songs that will bring people to their feet, and you and your guests will enjoy a livelier party.

8. Limit your “must play” list. Include most of your requests on a “try to play” list. It’s thrilling to hear lots of your favorite songs at your party, but playing too many takes time away from familiar and requested songs that others are anticipating. Your DJ can sense the crowd’s mood and decide when a song on your “try to play” list will match the feeling. Generously share your music time with your guests, and watch them respond in kind on your dance floor.

9. Put the DJ right next to the dance floor. Don't hide him in a corner or out of the way. In order to do his job well, your DJ must be located where the party action is, not separated from the dance floor by tables, walls or other barriers. You and your guests need easy access to him for announcements and song requests, and he needs a direct line of sight to read cues from the crowd.10. Hire a Great DJ, and then trust him. Each party has its own personality. Some guests may pack the dance floor right away; others may need a little more time to warm up. An experienced wedding DJ has played to every type of audience and knows what works. Give him time to perform his music magic, and you are sure to be enchanted by the results.

11. Get out on the dance floor and DANCE! Your friends and family want to see you have a fantastic time and will take their cues from you. If you and your groom are enjoying yourselves on the dance floor, they’ll want to be there, too.