Our most asked question is always… How can you ensure that our guests have an unforgettable party? And how can you ensure that we will have a packed dance floor all night?
Fantastic question… and please allow us to drop some knowledge for a moment that is sure to help any prospective client achieve a night full of dancing.
First thing first, you need to ensure that you have selected a Band or DJ Entertainment team that you mesh well with. This means you need to feel comfortable that they can provide you with the music style that you are anticipating you and your guests to dance to for the evening (yes, you want to make sure of a few other things when shopping for vendors but that’s a different blog post…lol).
Once you feel like you have just the right guy or girl… Here are a few tips and tricks of the trade to ensure a great evening to achieve a high energy dance floor.
You want to ensure that the distance between your DJ/Band and the dance floor is as minimal as possible. If you could setup up their gear in the middle of the dance floor and it still be acceptable, I would do it. What this does… is it puts your performer’s energy as close to the crowd as possible. Your guests will automatically vibe off the energy of your DJ/Band just like you would at a concert venue. With this theory in mind, “the closer you are to the stage, the better your experience will be…”, its just one move you can make when trying to achieve a fun dance party.
Next thing, would be to limit the size of the dance floor to the most logical size possible. What in the world does that mean, you ask? If you’re expecting 300 guests at your wedding or event, please understand that you do not necessarily need to have a floor that accommodates that many people.
Think about it this way FIRST, when its time for all 300 people to put on their dancing shoes, not everyone is going to jump out there all at once. You will find people are socializing at their tables, hitting the bar for another cocktail, or lighting a cigar with old friends on the patio. So, lets plan for at least a 250 person dance floor, just to start with so that this way you are ensuring even more probability of having a great dance party.
Consider this SECONDLY, if you’re in a room that has a huge dance floor for 300 people, and at the end of the night you are expecting only 100 of your closest family and friends to hang around and jam with you to the bitter end… Then a smaller dance floor is perfect for you!
Honestly, if I’m choosing, a good rule of thumb is to plan for a dance floor for 150-200 guests for this size of event. I always tell clients at a minimum plan for 2/3rd’s of your guest-list. This way you minimize the dead space on the floor and it encourages that raging dance party you have always dreamed about for your big day.
The LAST thing you want to ensure you do, which will increase your chances of having a night you never want to end… is to make sure you are selecting music that you know your guests want to dance to. Yes! This day is about you and celebrating your love for your fiancé, however you are buying dinner for your friends and family and wanting to show them a good time… So please keep them in mind as well. Numerous times we receive client’s that have exceptional music taste that is completely different from what you would expect to hear at a wedding.
Genre’s that are including Punk, Aggressive Rock, Polka, Etc… Even though there are many tunes in these genre’s that most people can appreciate, the people on your dance floor most likely won’t want to tap their toe’s to it that evening. Make sure to pick a good range of upbeat songs, or tunes that you think all of your friends will know. Not to say that imputing some of your favorite high school jam’s won’t keep the party going. I’m just saying make sure to keep your guests music taste at the forefront as well, to ensure a fun filled evening of dancing.
Giving your DJ the free range to pick what everyone is vibing with will also help with this. Handcuffing them to a specific ONLY PLAY THESE songs will only make it more difficult to keep the party going.
Once again… to ensure a jam packed dance floor all night, make sure you have an entertainment company that represents your style. Put them as close to the dance floor as humanly possible, using discretion for guests, when planning your layout of the reception space.
Make sure that you can limit the size of dance floor to comfortably hold 2/3rd’s of your expected guest count. Finally, and I think maybe the most obvious, would be to make sure you’re catering to your GUEST’s music taste and not just own.
“May the transitions be smooth, and the song choice be flawless”-DJFyerFly
How to ensure a full dance floor all night by Fyerfly Productions.
Best Song to Dance To Under the Fyerfly Lights Can’ Stop The Feeling Justin Timberlake
Ah, yeah, ah, yeah
I got this feelin’ inside my bones
It goes electric, wavy when I turn it on
All through my city, all through my home
We’re flyin’ up, no ceilin’, when we in our zone
I got that sunshine in my pocket
Got that good soul in my feet
I feel that hot blood in my body when it drops (ooh)
I can’t take my eyes up off it, movin’ so phenomenally
Room on lock, the way we rock it, so don’t stop
And under the lights when everything goes
Nowhere to hide when I’m gettin’ you close
When we move, well, you already know
So just imagine, just imagine, just imagine
Nothin’ I can see but you when you dance, dance, dance
Feel a good, good creepin’ up on you
So just dance, dance, dance, come on
All those things I shouldn’t do
But you dance, dance, dance
And ain’t nobody leavin’ soon, so keep dancin’
I can’t stop the feelin’
So just dance, dance, dance
I can’t stop the feelin’
So just dance, dance, dance, come on
Ooh, it’s something magical
It’s in the air, it’s in my blood, it’s rushin’ on (rushin’ on)
I don’t need no reason, don’t need control (need control)
I fly so high, no ceiling, when I’m in my zone
‘Cause I got that sunshine in my pocket
Got that good soul in my feet
I feel that hot blood in my body when it drops (ooh)
I can’t take my eyes up off it, moving so phenomenally
Room on lock, the way we rock it, so don’t stop (stop, stop, stop)
Under the lights when everything goes
Nowhere to hide when I’m gettin’ you close
When we move, well, you already know
So just imagine, just imagine, just imagine
Nothing I can see but you when you dance, dance, dance
Feel a good, good, creepin’ up on you
So just dance, dance, dance, come on
All those things I shouldn’t do
But you dance, dance, dance
And ain’t nobody leavin’ soon, so keep dancin’
I can’t stop the feelin’
So just dance, dance, dance
I can’t stop the feelin’
So just dance, dance, dance
I can’t stop the feelin’
So just dance, dance, dance
I can’t stop the feelin’ (yeah)
So keep dancin’, come on
Oh, yeah, yeah
I can’t stop the, I can’t stop the
I can’t stop the, I can’t stop the
I can’t stop the feelin’
Nothin’ I can see but you when you dance, dance, dance (I can’t stop the feelin’)
Feel the good, good, creepin’ up on you
So just dance, dance, dance, come on (I can’t stop the feelin’)
All those things I shouldn’t do
But you dance, dance, dance (dance, dance, dance) (I can’t stop the feelin’)
And ain’t nobody leavin’ soon, so keep dancin’
Everybody sing (I can’t stop the feelin’)
Got this feeling in my body (I can’t stop the feelin’)
Got this feeling in my body (I can’t stop the feelin’)
Wanna see you move your body (I can’t stop the feelin’)
Got this feelin’ in my body
Break it down
Got this feelin’ in my body (ah)
Can’t stop the feelin’
Got this feelin’ in my body, come on (ooh)
photo by Chelsea Erwin 5 Things you should tell your Wedding DJ
The DJ is responsible for the way your reception will run so it is important to communicate your wishes. This is not the time to play it by ear or keep your opinions to yourself. Below are 5 things you should tell your DJ before the big day.
1. How to pronounce your name
We keep it modern here at FyerFly so the wedding party is introduced by their first name but, the new Mr and Mrs needs to be introduced PERFECTLY. Give the DJ the phonetic spelling of your name and go over it before the formal introductions.
2. Family Drama
Save the drama for your momma but, tell your DJ about it. Don’t be shy about spilling any family situations that might come up during the night. If the DJ knows that you do not want your Step Mother or Uncle Bob making a speech it is easy for them to move around it for you. Let them be the bad guys, it is their job to maneuver any sticky situations but, they can’t fix what they don’t know.
3. Song Requests YAY or NAY
If you have decided to not let your guests come up for requests, share that with your DJ so he can field this for you. Again, it is easy for the DJ to handle this if you let them know ahead of time.
4. Formal Dance Songs
What are the meanings behind the songs you have chosen for your dances? For example, do you want to dance to “Differences by Ginuwine” because it was the first song you ever danced too together?
Would you like to dance for the entire song or cut it short… because your new husband starts to cry every time after the third verse? Let us know! We can handle this discreetly as long as you let us know the details.
5. Timeline and Changes
Give your DJ a timeline for the entire day, during the reception they are responsible for how the day will flow and can make sure the events stay on time. Changes like when the cake cutting will occur can be embarrassing if the DJ makes the announcement at the wrong time.
Wishing you good luck on your wedding day and keep dancing!
xoxoxo, FyerFly
Chelsea and Travis pulled out all the stops for their gorgeous Bella Collina Wedding. Sparkler boxes, amazing lighting and even SNOW! Below are some of our favorite photos of the day 🙂
Snow in Florida Wedding
Vendors:
Photography: Cricket Photo and Cinema
Planning: Anna Christine Events
Wedding Snow: Fyerfly Productions DJ, Lighting and Sparkler Boxes: Fyerfly Productions
First Dance – Bring your Love to Me – Avett Brothers
Bring your love to me
I will hold it like a newborn child
One of my own blood
And I might just even sing a song
To keep it calm
If you’re wondering, am I capable
God knows I am
And if it’s meant to be
I will go alone, God knows I can
Just not as well, and besides what kind of fun is there
To be had with no one else?
And I can only stand here still
And I can only hope you will
Keep me in focus long enough to tell
I’m trying to help (that’s all)
Bring your love to me
I will hold it like a dandelion
One I want to save, one I want to keep
From the breeze that follows me and no one else
I can only stand here still
And I can only hope you will
Keep me in focus long enough to tell
I’m trying to help
We always have a grand time in Winter Park, and NICOLE + CHRIS sweet outdoor Alfond Inn wedding was no exception!
Alfond Inn Wedding Winter Park Florida
I don’t wanna miss a thing – Aerosmith – First Dance
I could stay awake just to hear you breathing
Watch you smile while you are sleeping
While you’re far away and dreaming
I could spend my life in this sweet surrender
I could stay lost in this moment forever
Ooh, every moment spent with you is a moment I treasure
Don’t want to close my eyes
I don’t want to fall asleep
‘Cause I’d miss you, babe
And I don’t want to miss a thing
‘Cause even when I dream of you
The sweetest dream will never do
I’d still miss you, babe
And I don’t want to miss a thing
Lying close to you feeling your heart beating
And I’m wondering what you’re dreaming
Wondering if it’s me you’re seeing
Then I kiss your eyes
And thank God we’re together
And I just want to stay with you in this moment forever
Forever and ever
I don’t want to close my eyes
I don’t want to fall asleep
‘Cause I’d miss you, babe
And I don’t want to miss a thing
‘Cause even when I dream of you
The sweetest dream will never do
I’d still miss you, babe
And I don’t want to miss a thing
And I don’t want to miss one smile
I don’t want to miss one kiss
Well, I just want to be with you, right here with you
Just like this
I just want to hold you close
I feel your heart so close to mine
And just stay here in this moment
For all of the rest of time
Yeah-yeah-yeah-yeah-yeah!
Don’t want to close my eyes
Don’t want to fall asleep
‘Cause I’d miss you, babe
And I don’t want to miss a thing
‘Cause even when I dream of you
The sweetest dream will never do
I’d still miss you, babe
And I don’t want to miss a thing
I don’t want to close my eyes
I don’t want to fall asleep
‘Cause I’d miss you, babe
And I don’t want to miss a thing
‘Cause even when I dream of you
The sweetest dream will never do
I’d still miss you, babe
And I don’t want to miss a thing
Don’t want to close my eyes
I don’t want to fall asleep, yeah
I don’t want to miss a thing
photo by The Roots
photo by Rudy and Marta – How to ensure a full dance floor all night
