Engage your guests in a dance competition

The theory behind this is to entice and motivate guests to take part in the spectacular celebration of your wedding day.  Inform guests in advance and solicit those willing to participate to give them opportune time to practice.  The competition could be a duo or group dance.  Those guests not participating will be the judges and will be given a score card and/or the winners may be determined via the loudest applause.  Also, in advance, consider prize options for the winners to include table center pieces or perhaps a small gift card.  This is a friendly contest designed to infuse fun and stage a unique element into your celebration.

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Gaming during the cocktail hour

Retro has gone full circle both in the music and gaming world.  If you’re planning a wedding reception that will be more on the casual side or perhaps, have a vintage theme, have your guests secure their favorite beverage from the bar and roll out a cocktail hour that doubles as a game night prior to the arrival of the bridal party.   While your guests are gaming, your cool DJ will spin the tunes that fit the mood.   As for the games, consider those faves from days-gone-by and have a different game on each table with easy instructions to remind guests how to play.  Games, such as Sorry, Connect Four, Uno, Checkers or Scrabble, among others, will be sure to spark up nostalgia.

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Essential Music for Your Reception

After the cocktail hour comes to a close and it’s time to launch the celebration, open with great songs that will naturally put your guests in a great mood.  Setting the right mood from the start will set the stage for a fun & memorable event.

Dinner Music

An experienced DJ or Entertainment Director will possess the knowledge to vary music during dinner and will plan accordingly with the bride and groom to ensure their preferences are accommodated into the mix.  Standards are always a good choice and the music played during dinner should be relaxing, enjoyable and fit the mood the newlyweds wish to convey.

First Dance

The flagship event at most wedding receptions is the bride and groom’s first dance.  Typically following the grand introduction of the wedding party or perhaps after dinner, the bride and groom will share an intimate dance alone and your song should reflect how you feel about one another.  I have also observed couples begin their first dance will a slow balled and suddenly break out a pair of dark sunglasses and change it up to Corey Harts “I Wear My Sunglasses at Night” or an AC/DC balled.  It’s your night!  Make it special.

Father Daughter Dance

If you share a special bond with your father, select a song that reflects that bond.  Although your father may not show or admit it, his dance with you on your wedding day is a highly emotional event for him as he has just given his little girl away.  I frequently advise my clients to approach their fathers for a song preference as this takes pressure off of you and extends respect to your father in selecting this very important song.

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"Cruising Down Memory Lane"  As a Columbus Ohio Wedding DJ, I'm in tune with the concept of making your guests feel like essential parts of your big day by incorporating them into the decor to even include a gallery.  You may consider hanging pictures of the bride & groom with friends & family along the corridor leading from the ceremony to the reception.  It will ignite conversations during cocktail hour and as your guests discover pictures of themselves with you, the reminiscing will be magical. 

Megan Thomas & Zach Hammond exchanged vows on Friday, September 6th, at the Taylor Mansion, in Columbus, OH. The wedding ceremony commenced on the stairs in front of the picturesque century old mansion on a perfect fall evening as the sun began to dip. Following the ceremony, guests enjoyed good conversation and cocktails at the rear of the mansion prior to the grand entrance of the bridal party. Pictured in the video, Megan Thomas and company "Get Low" to Lil John.

Julianne Wallace and Erik Balster exchanged vows on Saturday, August 31st, at the Scioto Reserve Country Club in Powell, OH.  Following the nuptials, a lavish dinner was enjoyed by all in the exquisitely decorated ballroom and as tradition has it, guests began clinking their glasses shortly after the bride and groom were seated at the sweetheart table to get them to kiss.  In lieu of this tradition, I informed guests that if they desired to see the bride and groom kiss, they needed to serenade the couple with a song of their choosing as long as the lyrics contained the word love.  The response was immediate as several tables of guests rolled out love ballods prompting the bride and groom to kiss.  A good time was had by all with plenty of dancing, good cheer and a sparkler send off for the bride and groom when the evening came to a close.  Pictured here, is Julianne Wallace enjoying a dance with her father, Kelly.  

Ashley Croskey and Kyle Henning exchanged vows on Saturday, August 24th, 2013 and celebrated with friends and family at the LaScala Italian Bistro in Dublin.  The large and excited bridal party arrived curbside in a stretch limo with partying attitudes in check.  The dance floor got few breaks as these party revelers gave it plenty of action dancing to old school and to the latest beats on the dance party circuit. The Bride's father, Patrick Croskey, whipped out his air guitar and rolled up his pants legs and flamboyantly entertained the crowd to AC/DC's "You Shook Me All Night Long".  Enjoy videos of this celebration by visiting my website and follow the Youtube link.