How to Kick Off Your Wedding Dance with a Bang!

Written By Archie Jenks

The first dances are done! Time to start dancing!!

Hey there, DJs, wedding planners and soon-to-be newlyweds! Let’s chat about one of the most exciting parts of your big day – opening the dance floor. Getting everyone, especially those lovely older relatives, out there and dancing is key to setting the perfect party vibe. Here’s how to make it happen smoothly and with plenty of fun.

Start with the Classics

First things first, its all about the music. You want to get everyone, including your grandparents, aunts, and uncles, up and moving. They’re usually the first ones to head out, so let’s keep them around by playing some timeless tunes they love. I like to start with Motown and disco hits. Here are a few crowd-pleasers:

  • Jackson 5 – "ABC" and "I Want You Back": These songs are super fun and everyone knows the words.

  • James Brown – "Get On Up": It's upbeat and sure to get people on their feet.

  • Stevie Wonder – "Superstition": This one’s a bridge between Motown and disco.

  • ABBA – "Dancing Queen": An all-time disco favorite that’s guaranteed to fill the floor.

Snap a Pre-Dance Group Photo

After your formal first dances, why not invite everyone to the dance floor for a big group photo? This is a fantastic way to capture everyone looking their best before the party really kicks off. Plus, it gets everyone in place for the first big dance number. Once the photo is taken, have your DJ drop a fun, high-energy track to keep everyone hyped.

Try the Reverse Anniversary Dance

You’ve probably heard of the anniversary dance, but have you tried it in reverse? It’s a great twist that gets everyone involved from the start.

Traditional Anniversary Dance:

You start with all the married couples on the dance floor and gradually eliminate them based on how long they’ve been married, celebrating the couple who’s been together the longest. I like to interview the couple that has been married the longest and ask them how they achieved such a long and happy marriage. Some couples like to to take this moment to gift this winning couple something special.

Reverse Anniversary Dance:

Flip the script! Start with just the newlyweds, then ADD couples to the dance floor based on the length of their marriages – one year, five years, ten years, and so on. It’s a beautiful way to honor all married couples and gets the dance floor packed right away.

Be Cautious with Crowd Participation Dances

Songs like the Cupid Shuffle, Cha-Cha Slide, and Macarena can be super fun, but they can also feel a bit cheesy if played too early or often. Save these for later in the night when everyone’s loosened up a bit. Instead, start with universally loved music that’s guaranteed to get everyone dancing without the cringe factor. If you have really little kids in the wedding, maybe call them out for the hokey pokey, or chicken dance so they are included, but then play music for the rest of the guests.

A Few Extra Tips

  • Read the Room: Know your audience and pick songs that they’ll enjoy. It’s all about creating the right atmosphere to include everyone! I like to play through different genres throughout the night, starting with the older music and ending with the new hotness! Grandma, probably doesn’t know the latest trends in music, so save those for later.

  • Inclusion is Key: Make sure everyone feels welcome and excited to join in the fun, you won’t be able to make everyone happy. But, you can give them their moments throughout the night. Not everyone will want to dance the slow songs, not everyone will want to sing along to your backpack hip hop jams.

So there you have it – some tried and true tips to open your wedding dance floor with a bang. Here’s to a night full of dancing, laughter, and unforgettable memories!

Archie Jenks