Ways for Keeping the Dance Floor Full at Your Wedding Reception
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Want to have a wedding reception party that goes full steam until the end? Would you like your guests to say yours was the best wedding reception ever? Here are some suggestions for keeping the dance floor full, guests happy and the party going.
- Keep the dance floor small. The key to having your wedding reception be a great party all the way until the end is keeping the dance floor full. Guests are more likely to dance if they feel like they can’t be seen and they are not alone. A small packed dance floor is better than a large floor that cannot fill and leaves guests feeling intimidated. If guests have to dance off the dance floor it leaves the impression of how great your party was that your guests overfilled the dance floor.
- For the same reasons as using a smaller dance floor, darker lighting on the dance floor is better than bright light. Guests feel “on display”. Keep it darker and you’ll be keeping the dance floor full.
- Have your band where everyone can see them. Great bands are experts in keeping the dance floor filled and the party going, but it is more difficult if they cannot see and interact with your guests.
- Avoid letting the party peter out. End the reception while the party is going strong. Your guests will leave wanting more instead of thinking, “Let’s leave, I’ve had enough.” Their memories of your wedding will be about how fabulous it was.
- A basket of flip flops for guests to wear will help in keeping the dance floor full. Guests can only dance so long with dress shoes especially the women in high heels.
- Keep the bar open from after dinner until the end of the night. If the bar closes before the end of the reception, the party is likely to end.
- Make sure the bar is located near the dance floor so guests may quickly get a drink and return to the dance floor. Bottles or trays of water out near dance floor help dancers quickly refresh. Make sure the bar is set up near the dance floor but so that the line does not interfere with the dance floor.
- Having a closed room keeps guests from gathering in foyers and outdoors. Keep the doors closed and your guests won’t see others out of the room so they will tend to stay and dance. Closed doors keeps the focus on the dance floor and wedding activities. Open doors also flood the dance floor with light which will damper the party.
- Make sure guests have everything they need in the main room. If there is a lack of seating or the bar, food or desserts are in another room, guests leave. The other rooms are competing with the dance floor and creating other spaces to gather. Fewer guests in the room at one time leads to an empty dance floor. More guests in the room helps in keeping the dance floor full. No one wants to get up and dance when the dance floor is empty and it feels like the party is dying. Having dessert in another room often ends the party.
- Upbeat music keeps the party going. Good bands know how to pace songs.
- If you request that your band perform lesser known music it will be harder to fill the dance floor. People like to dance to music they know. A good band will play a variety of well-known music to get everyone of all ages on the dance floor. A good band will read the crowd and play the appropriate music to get everyone dancing.
- You’ve had a great relationship with your vendors preparing for your big day. Ask your wedding planner about ways to make sure everyone working at your reception feel appreciated. Vendors that are treated with great kindness and respect will go the extra mile to make your reception memorable.
- Avoid down time whenever possible after dinner. It’s easier to keep people dancing than to get them back up to dance again after the floor is cleared for an event. Think about having pictures taken before the reception, introductions and first dances before dinner, and speeches right after dinner.
- When it comes to vendors, experience is key. Vendors, including wedding reception bands, learn from every event they do and refine their services. Good service means happy guests. Happy guests dance.
- Older guests may not be used to loud music and have more sensitive hearing. Ensure they have a good time and seat older guests away from the dance floor/speakers.
- Make sure your band has great MC skills and has done many wedding receptions. You will need wedding party, toast, first dance, father daughter dance, mother/son dance, cut the cake, garter toss, bouquet toss and bride and groom exit announcements. You will also want MCing from the band to keep the party going. Great MCs will take requests, interact with the crowd, go out into the crowd to do line dances, talk with guests and let them sing-a-long on mic. They will also have a bag of tricks to use to get different guests on the dance floor. Our Music Remembrance Reception Band has everything from fun sing-a-longs and line dances to blowup guitars for guest to play on stage and hula hoops for 50’s music.
For more another article about keeping your dance floor full
Over 50 Music Ensemble Choices for Weddings
When you are planning your special day, you have almost unlimited choices of wedding musicians and bands in Orlando. Brides and grooms may sometimes find it difficult selecting music for their events. This is often because only a few choices are known or many choices are known but it is difficult to imagine which music groups would be the most appropriate for your special day. I think that lists of choices that work well for the wedding ceremony, wedding reception and cocktail hour can be very helpful.
Below are lists of music ensembles that I believe work very well for wedding ceremonies, receptions and cocktail hour. All of these wedding musicians and bands can be found in Orlando and Central Florida.
Wedding Ceremony
Wedding Ceremony Ensembles
Classical and/or Ambient Music: Any of these ensembles can play a large variety of music styles including classical, pop, jazz standards, Christian pop and folk music.
- Brass Quartet: Two trumpets, trombone and tuba. Some ensembles vary instrumentation.
- Brass Quintet: Two trumpets: french horn, trombone and tuba for a slightly more full sound than the brass Quartet. Works well for large venues or large wedding parties.
- Brass Choir: Large brass group for that “wow” factor
- Brass Quartet, Brass Quintet or Brass Choir with Organ: This magnificent and regal combination will fill the air and create an awe inspiring sound.
- String Quartet: Two violins, viola and cello, gives a sophisticated elegant feel.
- Harpist
- Organist
- Harp and Flute Duet
- Solo Violinist
- Violinist with piano, guitar, harp, or organ
- Trumpet and Organ Duet a very popular wedding choice for a regal effect
- Fanfare Trumpets – The long trumpets used to announce royalty
- Guitarist
- Pianist
- Italian Tenor
- Singer with Piano, Guitar, Harp or Organ
- Woodwind Quintet: flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, french horn
- Chamber Orchestra: Combine the brass quintet and string quartet for a small orchestra
- Symphony Orchestra: A full symphony orchestra for the couple that wants something truly extraordinary
For themed wedding music choices see blog below, “Great Party and Weddings Themes”
Wedding Reception
Before selecting your wedding reception musicians it is helpful to decide if you would like music for background, lively music or dancing music. Do you want one kind of music or a large variety that will please and keep all of your guests dancing? If you are like most couples you desire background music for dinner and a large variety of dance music after dinner. If this is your desire, you would be best served with a band that specializes in wedding ceremonies. Wedding bands have a large repertoire of all styles and welcome requests. These bands also have the expertise to perform as master of ceremonies (MC) and assist you with all of your music details including picking times and songs for the bridal party entrance, bride and groom entrance, first dance, father and daughter dance, mother and son dance, toasts, cake cutting, guarder and bouquet tosses. Having an experienced band to keep things running smoothly through these events is important, but will be essential if you do not have a wedding planner.
Wedding Reception Ensembles
- Wedding Band
- Your favorite rock, pop, country, salsa or other style band – Remember, you will not get variety for your guests or the MC and wedding expertise with these groups.
- Jazz Band or Combo – for a more mellow but still danceable approach. I suggest getting one with a singer to please more guests.
For themed wedding reception music see blog “Great Wedding and Party Themes below.”
Cocktail Hour
Many of the wedding ceremony music groups will work very well for the cocktail hour. If you can use the same group that performed for your ceremony you can save a considerable amount of money. Another option to save money is using a group from the wedding reception band. Most wedding bands have a duo, trio or quartet from within the band that can arrive early and play the cocktail hour. These groups can usually play light pop or jazz as soft ambient music. If you are on a tight budget but would like music for cocktails request the wedding bands guitarist as a solo guitarist or pianist as a solo pianist. Most people prefer to use a group without a vocalist. This helps keep the music as background so your guests can enjoy mingling. Do you want the music as the focal point or background? If it is a focal point a group with a singer or a brass group work well. Which ensemble you pick will set the tone for cocktails. Do you want the sophistication of the harp, the elegance of strings, of more of a party atmosphere with a pop trio?
Cocktail Hour Ensembles
Wedding Ceremony ensembles that work well:
Any of these ensembles can play a large variety of music styles including classical, pop, jazz standards, Christian pop and folk music.
- Brass Quartet – Two Trumpets, Trombone and Tuba. Some ensembles vary instrumentation.
- Brass Quintet Two Trumpets, French Horn, Trombone and Tuba for a slightly more full sound than Brass Quartet.
- String Quartet -Two violins, viola and cello, gives a sophisticated elegant feel.
- Harpist
- Harp and Flute Duet
- Solo Violinist
- Violinist with piano, guitar or harp
- Fanfare Trumpets: The long trumpets used to announce royalty. Used at the end of cocktail hour to announce that it is time to move to the dinner location. The fanfare trumpeters perform a fanfare to get your guests attention and then either the trumpeters, or a chef standing in-between them, announces that “dinner is served” as the doors to the dinner room open.
- Guitarist: Classical jazz, pop or folk
- Pianist: Classical, jazz or pop
- Singer with piano, guitar or harp singing light classical music
- Singer performing pop or jazz accompanied by guitar or piano or ensemble of guitar bass and drums or piano, bass and drums
- Woodwind Quintet: flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, french horn
- Chamber Orchestra, combine the brass quintet and string quartet for a small orchestra
Small Ensembles from Wedding Reception band that work well:
- solo pianist
- solo guitarist
- solo pianist that sings
- solo guitarist that sings
- Duo, trio, or quartet from reception band, either jazz or pop music or both can be requested
Other Suggestions:
- Jazz duo, trio or quartet. If you are a jazz fan and want that specifically it always takes things to another level if you hire a group that specializes in that.
- Blues singer. To bring the mood up from the ceremony and get your guests ready to party, try something a little different to set the tone.
- For themed wedding music suggestions see blog below, “Great Party and Weddings Themes”
Great Party and Wedding Themes
Parties and weddings with a theme can be so spectacular and memorable. A themed event can set a tone of fun, majesty, or opulence.
When using a party or wedding theme, music can play an important role. Thematic music can elevate your theme to another level and really make the event memorable. Since you are going to have music anyway, thematic music can also save money in decor, special food, etc., by setting the mood with music. (We can help!)
After selecting a party or wedding theme, think about all the different choices of music ensembles, costumes and songs that you can incorporate. Orlando has unlimited choices for party and wedding musicians. If you combine themed music with a beautiful room and food you can’t go wrong
There are many party and wedding themes that I have seen done successfully and memorably. Here is a list some of these themes and some possible music choices to elevate the themed decor and food to an event everyone will remember.
- Winter Wonderland Theme: Wedding reception band in white tuxedos and the singer in a while gown with crystals. You could add winter themed songs in as well. Have the band bring a snow machine for special effect.
- Christmas Theme: String Quartet, Carolers or Brass Quintet performing holiday favorites in Norman Rockwell style carolers outfits or simply in tuxes with red bow ties. Add Santa Claus hats for fun.
- Spring Theme: With a flower filled room have a little tongue in cheek fun with a flower power band playing music or the 70’s.
- Roaring 1920’s: A lush 1920’s society orchestra or band, decked out in costume, playing the lush beautiful sounds for dinner and then roaring it up with dixieland music for the party.
- Sock Hop: 1950’s band in costume poodle skirts, greased back hair and rolled up jeans.
- Mardi Gras: New Orleans Dixieland Band in traditional New Orleans Parade Costume or bright mardi gras outfits. Make sure they bring the beads! It’s great to have the band process in or parade your crowd from the ceremony to the reception or from cocktails to the dinner location.
- Beach Wedding Theme: Have musicians in Hawaiian shirts, dresses and leis. The reception band can incorporate Beach Boys and Jimmy Buffet, calypso and other tropical songs, Add steel drums for that Caribbean resort feel.
- Western: County Western band for the reception and a solo guitarist/singer for the ceremony.
- Medieval/Renaissance; Medieval/Renaissance music played on authentic instruments from the time period by musicians dressed in period costume.
- Cultural Weddings: There are musicians that perform traditional or modern music from every country available.
- Princess: Nothing sets a more royal tone than fanfares performed on long fanfare Trumpets.
- Las Vegas: Wow your guests with a real Las Vegas style show and if you are looking for something on the lighter or humorous side, how about a singing Elvis at the ceremony?
- Masquerade: A string orchestra playing waltzes and songs for ballroom dancing while wearing costumes and masks will set the stage for your guests.
- New York Club: A jazz combo or a full big band playing swing music and of course the song “New York, New York”.
Whatever theme you pick you can find the right party or wedding music in Orlando. Remember to pick your theme very early in your planning so it will be easier to include in invitations, decor, party favors and the menu. Good luck and have fun with it.
