Register or log in —

Newer blog post
more in Blog
Older blog post
Newer blog post by Mrs. Green Tea
more by Mrs. Green Tea (oldest)
Older blog post by Mrs. Green Tea
Mrs. Green Tea's Picture
Mrs. Green Tea, Sacramento Age and Occupation: 30, Tea Analyst Fiance's Age and Occupation: 31, Coffee Critic Engagement Date: November 17, 2006 Wedding Date: August 23, 2008 Blogging Since: June 10, 2008 Venue: Vineyard on the Delta About Me: I'm just your average obsessive compulsive, arts & crafts loving, funky-on-the-inside/boring-on-the-outside girl, who dares to say 'Hey! I can make that!' Nerdy professional by day, goofy won-ton by night. The won-ton sometimes comes out during the day when I'm fed the dollar breakfast at Ikea. Since our engagement, wedding planning has put me on high alert for bargains and I've been pushing my nimble fingers through callous building experiments!
About Mrs. Green Tea

The Tea Party: Da Get Down

April 22nd, 2009 @ 3:58 pm by Mrs. Green Tea

Previously:

1. Prelude, 2. Tea Ceremony, 3. Getting Ready, 4. The Kids, 5. Wedding Party, 6. Down the Aisle 7. Ceremony, 8. Group Shots, 9. Couple Shots, 10. Jump Shots 11. House Shots, 12. Cocktails and Dinner, 13. First Dance, 14. Parents’ Dance, 15. Toasts, 16. Cake, 17. Lion Dance, 18. Sweet Fountain

A lot of thought was put into the dancing portion. I know that while I put effort to get on the dance floor at weddings, I don’t often stay out for long. But when I do, watch-out y’all, we got a hot one in here!

From the DJ, to the music, to the set up to the timing of events, we considered as much as we could and made decisions based on what would keep guests around and dancing through the night. Well, our hard work paid off, because every single guest was on the dance floor at some point and most of them boogied ’til the end!

Here’s us showing ’em how itz done:


We actually cleared the dance floor several times for planned activities, but with our lead (plus a few strategies) the shaking booties always came right on back:

I told you da MIL was having a good time!

This one just cracks me up. Apparently there was a need to direct the dance traffic:

I’m pretty sure this is the first time I have EVAH seen my parents dance with each other!

And our ring bearer was cutting a rug like it was nobody’s business:

Even my super shy little cousin got a piece of the action!

And I don’t gotta tell you what song was playing in these two pics, right?


I think what makes a hot dance party depends a lot on your crowd. With our small wedding (94 guests) that included folks of all ages and very few dance-prone bodies, we did the following with the dance focus in mind:

  1. We sacrificed our favorite songs. While we obviously stamped our personalities everywhere in the wedding, we left most of it out of the guest dance portion (supplemented by a very ’us’ first dance). I’ve been to too many weddings where it was obvious that the couple handpicked the reception songs (or paid no attention to the playlist), and very few guests appreciated them. In my wedding attendance during our engagement (10!), I took notes of songs that seemed to always get people to dance and we played mostly those. We got so many compliments on the music selections!
  2. We paid the MC/DJ. While my stingy behind DIYed and shopped deals like crazy, I knew not to skimp in this department. Dead air, awkward transitions, bad timing… etc. can drop the dance mood like *snap* THIS!
  3. We kept things centralized. I noticed the venues that break up the reception tables areas (e.g. some in main room, some on patio or the next room) often make ’the other room’ guests feel left out of the main event. We picked a venue capable of accommodating all tables in one area adjacent to the dance floor. We also arranged for most happenings at the reception to take place right on the dance floor (even the chocolate fountain line) so guests didn’t get distracted or have many reasons to venture off.
  4. We made sure there was space. I went to a big wedding once where the tiny dance floor was packed. I wanted to get in on the action but there was simply no room! I think from that bride and groom’s POV it was a hopping party (not that it wasn’t), but the majority of the guests were actually sitting out or leaving early (which we did).

Are you having a dance reception? What do you think contributes to one done right?

Images by Travis Hoehne and my friend Rob

Tags: , |   Link for this post | Share this post: The Tea Party: Da Get Down      
Newer blog post
more in Blog
Older blog post
Newer blog post by Mrs. Green Tea
more by Mrs. Green Tea (oldest)
Older blog post by Mrs. Green Tea
advertisement below

27 Responses to “The Tea Party: Da Get Down”

1.
Bee Icon
Bee
Miss Bruschetta (message)  5,553 posts, Bee Keeper

Dancing pictures are some of my favorite moments to capture during a wedding reception — SO many memories and stories come out of them!

 
2.
Vic004
Member
Vic004 (message)  784 posts, Busy bee

Now I am curious what are the best songs that keep the guests dancing? I love these tips I am in the middle of making my dj song list!!!

 
3.
Member Icon
Member
blightygirl (message)  207 posts, Helper bee

I agree with Vic004: what are the best songs that keep guests dancing? Dancing Queen? YMCA? Inquiring minds want to know!

 
4.
Guest Icon
Guest
Lauren

I too am trying to decide on reception songs that will have everyone dancing. Do you have a list?

 
5.
frenchbulldog
Bee
frenchbulldog (message)  6,077 posts, Bee Keeper

@Vic004: I’m curious too…
Mrs GT will you post a list?

 
6.
Bee Icon
Bee
miss mouse (message)  3,354 posts, Sugar bee

I’m having one, and I’m worried that people won’t dance. But at the same time, my FI and I are so picky about music, and we want to handpick our songs. Such a dilemma!

 
7.
Vic004
Member
Vic004 (message)  784 posts, Busy bee

Yes Mrs. GT you must post a list now!!!!

 
8.
Guest Icon
Guest
midwestelle

these are great! What a fun party. The ring bearer is adorable.

I was recently at a wedding where I saw a 10 year old boy enter the mostly empty dance floor, look both ways (probably to see if his parents were watching), and start doing the “worm”. It was kind of amazing. Ha!

 
9.
MrsSl82be
Member
MrsSl82be (message)  1,472 posts, Bumble bee

I really want to be able to have a good dance party - do you think you could post your dance list???

 
10.
Member Icon
Member
phruphru (message)  180 posts, Blushing bee

Looks like a fun party, GT! And to echo every other poster here, would love to hear the song list!

 
11.
Guest Icon
Guest
theredpen

List! List! I’m trying to put mine together right now and I keep going back and forth…

 
12.
Shay
Member
Shay (message)  438 posts, Helper bee

I love action shots they express so much emotion by everyone in the photo

 
13.
lwillia58
Member
lwillia58 (message)  130 posts, Blushing bee

yes, please post your list!

 
14.
Guest Icon
Guest
HappyAmy

I completely agree with not skimping on the DJ. I’m in the sac area-any chance you could let me know which DJ you hired? I’m still shopping for mine! Thanks!

 
15.
Bee Icon
Bee
Mrs. Coconut (message)  337 posts, Helper bee

I love the picture of you two getting down. Oh wait, that’s all of the pictures. :) You two are hottt.

 
16.
Ms. CitySlicker
Member
Ms. CitySlicker (message)  36 posts, Newbee

Everyone looks like they are having such a great time. Who was your d.j???

 
17.
Bee Icon
Bee
Mrs. Green Tea (message)  705 posts, Busy bee

OKOK! I’m working out of town right now and the wedding stuff are not not on my laptop. I’ll do a post later with the playlist and DJ info :)

 
18.
Member Icon
Member
militarywife (message)  22 posts, Newbee

Thank you so much Mrs. Green Tea! I too would love the song list you compiled! I have having a wedding of about 90 people too, and I am concerned that no one will dance.

 
19.
Guest Icon
Guest
busylizzy

Your wedding looks like so much fun! I love it.

 
20.
Newport Nuptials
Member
Newport Nuptials (message)  1,133 posts, Bumble bee

We just picked our DJ last night, and we are defintely hoping for lots of dancing, your weddign looks so fun! I think dancing plays a huge part in that!

 
21.
SpinningJenny
Member
SpinningJenny (message)  453 posts, Helper bee

We want to have a hoppin’ dance party so Mr Spin and I have been trying to pay attention to what keeps people dancing at weddings and work parties. I think we’re going to have a “strongly suggested” list for our DJ–I can’t wait to see your list. It looks like it was effective! ^_^

 
22.
LatteLove
Hostess
LatteLove (message)  4,120 posts, Honey bee

yikes, Mrs GT. I think from the sounds of this post we’re not exactly going to have the dance party we’re hoping to….

our dance floor is teeny and we skimped on a DJ because it just wasn’t somewhere we could splurge (i.e. serve alcohol or have an awesome DJ….we opted for the booze). I hope it turns out half as fun as yours did.

 
23.
AnnieAAA
Member
AnnieAAA (message)  1,076 posts, Bumble bee

I can’t wait to see your playlist! It is a priority of mine to keep the dance floor packed and keep everyone shaking their groove thing!

 
24.
Member Icon
Member
West Coast Bride (message)  672 posts, Busy bee

See Miss Cheese’s wedding playlist, that she posted a few days ago, Hive! It’s one of the most awesome mixes I’ve ever seen!

 
25.
Bee Icon
Bee
Miss Taffy (message)  2,605 posts, Sugar bee

Looks like you had a fun reception! Thanks for the tips, I’m a bit worried since our friend is going to dj with our ipod… timing, dead air, stuff like that. Mr. Taffy is also a music fiend and may be picking some rare songs that people don’t know…eep!

 
26.
Bee Icon
Bee
Miss Labrador (message)  1,325 posts, Bumble bee

Heck yes we’re dancing the night away! I hope it’s as good as your reception (minus all the elaborate presentations I can only wish for!). The sign of a really fantastic reception is when the older people are breaking it down!

 
27.
Member Icon
Member
doublemint921 (message)  489 posts, Helper bee

@Mrs. Green Tea: Yay I look forward to seeing your list! Looks like everyone had a blast. Hopefully your list will help do to same at our wedding :)

 


You can also just...

Newer blog post
more in Blog
Older blog post
Newer blog post by Mrs. Green Tea
more by Mrs. Green Tea (oldest)
Older blog post by Mrs. Green Tea
Visit our sister sites Project Wedding
Wedding Songs
eHarmony Advice
Dating Advice
JustMommies
Pregnancy Calendar
Fertile Thoughts
Infertility Support
Copyright 2004-2009, eHarmony, Inc., Advertise
 


Sponsors
Mrs. Green Tea
Mrs. Green Tea Mrs. Green Tea, Sacramento Age and Occupation: 30, Tea Analyst Fiance's Age and Occupation: 31, Coffee Critic Engagement Date: November 17, 2006 Wedding Date: August 23, 2008 Blogging Since: June 10, 2008 Venue: Vineyard on the Delta About Me: I'm just your average obsessive compulsive, arts & crafts loving, funky-on-the-inside/boring-on-the-outside girl, who dares to say 'Hey! I can make that!' Nerdy professional by day, goofy won-ton by night. The won-ton sometimes comes out during the day when I'm fed the dollar breakfast at Ikea. Since our engagement, wedding planning has put me on high alert for bargains and I've been pushing my nimble fingers through callous building experiments!
Weddingbee PRO
 
Boards
 
Classifieds
 

Blog Calendar
November 2009
SunMonTueWedThuFriSat
1234567
891011121314
15161718192021
22232425262728
2930

Weddingbee Bios
Wiki
More