Dancing at weddings - fun or annoying?

floola

Hi, just looking advice on whether people actually want to dance at weddings.

I mean, do people really enjoy dancing at weddings or do you get that sinking feeling of "oh god, i suppose I'd better join in and dance"? I'm in the latter group but maybe that's just me.

Basically, will guests feel cheated if we skip the whole dance thing? Or would they just be relieved to be left to get on with socialising?

We're having a small wedding abroad and then a big party when we come back. It's just an evening thing with fingerfood, a bar etc. so does the fact that it's not the actual wedding make a difference?


Really would appreciate people's views, either way. Thanks!

sweetie

floola wrote: »

Hi, just looking advice on whether people actually want to dance at weddings.

I mean, do people really enjoy dancing at weddings or do you get that sinking feeling of "oh god, i suppose I'd better join in and dance"? I'm in the latter group but maybe that's just me.

Basically, will guests feel cheated if we skip the whole dance thing? Or would they just be relieved to be left to get on with socialising?

We're having a small wedding abroad and then a big party when we come back. It's just an evening thing with fingerfood, a bar etc. so does the fact that it's not the actual wedding make a difference?


Really would appreciate people's views, either way. Thanks!

In my experience some people love to dance, some people hate it and some only dance when they have a few drinks. It's nice that you want to have a party when you come home from getting married (congrats by the way) but I think people may be puzzled if you don't have any entertainement especially of you are going to the trouble of hiring venue, caterers etc. Otherwise, why not just book a private section in a pub.

izzyflusky

I can really advise you on this because I am one of those people who really enjoys dancing and looks forward to that part of weddings, most of my friends and OH would be the same. However, since its YOUR wedding I think you should do what you feel most confortable with.

davesneddon

If it's a small wedding you could get away with something inbetween - if you don't want to hire a band, get a friend to dj or even just set up a stereo with music, and have a small dance area available. Guests will definately expect this, and its part of the day when people are most relaxed and let their hair down.

I hate dancing myself, and know what you mean - in most hotels the entire area is devoted to dancing and you can feel obliged to dance since the only other thing to do is sit at the side and watch, since its too loud to talk anyway.

But you do need to have something. Just set it up so its just as easy for people to chat/ stand around without being blasted by music so that those who want to dance can, and those that dont - dont!

omahaid

I think most of the "older" generation would look forward to dancing. We had the siege of ennis as our last dance (when everyone was well oiled) and it was some craic. I think only about 1/4 of the people knew it but everyone was up dancing, wild stuff that

omahaid

But, ya, if its a small wedding then I'd say you'd get away with it fine.

BeardySi

I hope so - we're having a ceilidh!

Most folks seem to enjoy flailing around a dancefloor - particularly when they've had a skinful! I've yet to go to a wedding where there wasn't plenty of dancing...

At the end of the day, if people don't want to dance, they won't - if people want to dance and can't, they'll feel somewhat put out... If you're worried about those not dancing not being able to hear, you need ot pay some attention to the room layout and/or sound levels so it's not too loud everywhere...

floola

davesneddon wrote: »

I hate dancing myself, and know what you mean - in most hotels the entire area is devoted to dancing and you can feel obliged to dance since the only other thing to do is sit at the side and watch, since its too loud to talk anyway.

But you do need to have something. Just set it up so its just as easy for people to chat/ stand around without being blasted by music so that those who want to dance can, and those that dont - dont!

That's exactly the fear I have but I think you have really hit on the solution- I'm beginning to think it's about making sure that those who don't want to dance can get on with chatting if they want to. So I'm thinking yes to dancing, but with a bit of thought on layout and noise levels in other areas. Brilliant.

I know people say "it's your wedding do what you want" which is great guidance up to a point but of course if people are good enough to turn up and celebrate with us we want them to enjoy themselves. And it seems we'd be disappointing a lot of people if we skip the dancing. Thanks so much for the feedback on that.

Think Omahaid has a point about the "older" generation too - the Uncles do go a bit mad for it on the dancefloor at a certain point in the night.

Love the céilí idea! might steal that!