Want your dance floor to look like this?

It Starts With The DJ, Not The Drinks


While drinks will definitely liven people up, I've actually seen plenty of beer and wine only or even dry weddings have really fun receptions. The trick is in hiring a great DJ. That's not just someone who can play music or has high quality equipment (also important, but any pro should meet those standards). It's picking someone who knows how to MC in order to read the room, keep the energy flowing, and match the vibe you're going for. That's something you can't just get from photos, so it's important to read plenty of reviews, look at websites for videos, and ask your existing vendors for recommendations. I have a preferred vendor list with tons of amazing DJs that I've worked with for my couples!


Kicking It Off


I always recommend starting your open dance off with a big group photo on the dance floor followed by a song you know will get people going, that way people are already there and you're not pulling teeth to get people out of their seats.

Favorite Group Songs


  • Cha Cha Slide - Casper & The Live Platinum Band
  • Cupid Shuffle - Cupid
  • Wobble - V.I.C.
  • YMCA - Village People
  • Low - Flo Rida
  • Mr. Brightside - The Killers
  • Party In the USA - Miley Cyrus
  • Dancing Queen - ABBA
  • I Wanna Dance With Somebody - Whitney Houston



Prop It Up

LED Sticks

Hats

Sunglasses

Not only do guests love something to interact with, but it makes your dance floor look even more fun and interesting! LED sticks are my personal favorites, but I've also seen hats, bubbles, sunglasses, streamers and more.

Hire a Fun Photographer (Like Me!)


You don't get fun party photos by standing over by the bar (looking at my own wedding photographer.) For great reception photos, you need someone who knows how to properly use a flash, isn't afraid to mix it up on the dance floor, that'll help lead group dances when people are struggling, and constantly hype people up. I was unfortunate enough to not have this kind of photographer, which is why I work that much harder to give couples what I had hoped for!

Trust me, you want this:

Photos I've taken at several different weddings across the years from right in the middle of the dance floor.

NOT this:

Photos I got back from my wedding that look like they were taken on a phone, and why I work so hard to do better for my couples than what was done for me.

The Ultimate Tip...


The single best piece of advice for you to have a fun reception: STAY TOGETHER! You can absolutely have fun talking to people separately, but this whole thing is about the two of you, and I can't tell you how many receptions I've capture with hardly any photos of the couple together. If you're not a good dancer, literally nobody cares! Just be present and open, and it'll be a good time! If you truly hate dancing but your partner loves it, make a compromise and split your time between going around to guests and hanging on the dance floor. You spend the entire first half of the day apart, so trust me when I say, you want to make the memories for the second half together.