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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.

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. Upbeat music keeps the party going. Good bands know how to pace songs.
11. 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.
12. 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.
13. 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.
14. 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.
15. 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.
16. 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

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