Let's Boogie!

Months of planning are complete and you are now Mr. and Mrs.- what better way to celebrate than with a little music and some dancing! Many brides go back and forth between the ideas of DJ’s and bands. When you think about it, what is the one thing that wedding guest normally rave about? You got it, the entertainment. With this being said, it is important that you make the right decision for you and your guests but, also have your wedding photographer capture these special moments!

As for the professional dancers out there, choosing the perfect band or DJ may be the most important decision of your planning process! You want to be sure to pick a band or DJ that will make your guests get up and dance. One that will make you lose track of time and make you want to party all night long! For many, the cost difference between a DJ and band is a deciding factor. On average, a DJ costs about $500 to $1,000 while a wedding band can range anywhere from $1,000 to $10,000. If you are having a hard time picking between a few, ask if they have any local performances that you and your fiancé could attend. If you fall in love with them at a local performance, they will be even better at an event catered to you and your guests! For many of you, dancing may not be your thing. If this is the case you want to be sure to let your DJ or band know that you and your better half won’t be doing much dancing but to highly encourage your guests to bust a move! 

Think of your DJ or bandleader as the facilitator of the reception. They are the ones that will cue the guests for all the activities of the evening, from the big introduction of the new Mr. and Mrs. to the bouquet and garter toss. While most DJ’s play the master of ceremonies role, some may even “hit” the dance floor to teach your guests the latest line dance. If this is something you would not want at your reception, be sure to let them know what your expectations are. It is important to meet with your DJ or bandleader ahead of time to discuss playlists and a timeline for the reception’s events. One thing you may forget to go over is name pronunciations for the wedding party. Make sure this is on your meeting agenda to avoid name butchering on your big day. If you cannot meet with them ahead of time, be sure to send them a list of all the names written phonetically so they are easier to pronounce!

Another thing you may want to discuss is a “Do Play” and a “Do Not Play” music list. This way you know your favorite songs will be played, and your not so favorites will not- don’t let the “Chicken Dance” ruin the flow of your reception! 

Photography by Rick Dean Photography LLC

How to Achieve Picture-Perfect Wedding Dances

The best part about being newly engaged is selecting your options and envisioning your big night; before the stress sets in, things are quite fun! I always mention how your wedding photos will last for years, and sometimes they're even favors from your wedding, but a few other key points of your wedding will stand out. The food, the venue, the dances and the traditional events are all huge, but guests always enjoy tear-provoking, well-planned, dances. From the couple’s first dance, to the wedding party and parent dances, each moment holds extreme significance for all the relationships in the room.

Below, you'll find a few tips and everything you need to know about selecting your wedding music and dances.

Choose the Right Music!

The first thing is the music; do not underestimate the impact of your wedding song. Think about it for more than just a few days, what song truly represents you as a couple? Music often speaks the words we cannot say ourselves, so think about a song that tells your partner how much they mean to you, or maybe a song that provokes memory and strong emotions for the two of you. When you have the perfect song, it's easy to make the dance flawless. If the song is longer, or not a party pleaser, consider having the DJ switch to another song about three minutes in, this also works for couples who want multiple songs, or maybe couples who can't agree. Try not to be the latter though, compromise is key in marriage.

Make the Ending Obvious!

Many weddings have an entrance, but you may notice after the first dance there can be an awkward lull; people don't know if they should wait respectfully, or head to the bar or dance floor to start partying. Consider having an official "exit" or an announcement to conclude the official dances of the wedding.

Practice! Practice! Practice!

Choreography isn't easy, and you can't learn it three nights before your wedding. Practice makes perfect, so keep at it! Make practices fun, this will help you grow as a couple as well. Working together as a team will be a bonding experience about which you can reminisce after the wedding.

Let the Photographer Know What’s Up!

We need to be one step ahead of the couple so we can capture once-in-a-lifetime candid and posed shots, we don't want to miss anything, so if you have a surprise for your guests, let us in on the secret so we can prepare for a great photo of it.

Just remember that your guests will remember your dance, and so will you. This dance marks the first moment you spent as husband and wife, and it is a symbol of your happiness and future life together. The dance is also the moment you realize that your wedding is going well, and stress begins to melt off your back while you spend the night with your lover, your friends, and your family. You earned this!