Wedding Reception - No Dancing

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Well folks, I learn something new every day. Yesterday's lesson was that you can have a great wedding reception with no dancing whatsoever.

It was a reception for Seventh Day Adventists. They don't dance.

So, then, why hire a DJ? Coordination, announcements, ceremony music, and background music.

The cocktail music was all Jazz from Down To The Bone and I owe a big thanks to a DJ in my area for turning me on to this group.

Dinner and most of the reception was a Rat Pack. We did do some other stuff for the garter, bouquet, and other activities. Towards the end I got into Brandon Lindsay's Toe Tapper list.

Lot's of compliments on the music and audiuo levels (people could talk) and a decent tip from the client.

We also had an amatuer wedding coordinator that I think should become professional. She does it for friends and family but she did a great job working with us, the venue, the caterer, florist, and so on. She also coordinated the decorations and did a great job. I told her that if she wanted to do it professionally that I'd be more than happy to promote her.
 
Good job, Tom! It just goes to show that people don't have to dance in order for it to be a great party! I think that's something that needs to be driven home every now and again. (Especially when I'm kicking myself after an event because the guests didn't seem to enjoy themselves the way I want them to... i.e. dancing all night!)
 
Not to throw a wet blanket over the love fest (above)......BUT I've had parties with 7th Day Adventists that were rather poopy affairs.

Given a choice between dancing & no dancing....I'd pick the party with dancing.

But, since May 19 was not a really busy day for wedding traffic......I got stuck with yet another prom (my 3rd one of the year........the most I've done in several years).

Given a choice between Prom & No-Dancing reception? I'd probably pick the HS dance. (WOULDN'T have said this even a few short years ago....)

To recap:

Given a choice between working & NOT working........I'd gladly take a 7th Day Adventist function!

On a busy date in June thru Oct: the 7th Day group will go to one of my other needier DJs.
 
But, since Sunday's are a bonus and we don't get very many weddings on Sundays and they were willing to pay the price, ding, ding, we have a winner.
 
I had a client make a comment a couple of weeks ago about the audio levels also, saying the music was loud but you could still talk. I think it had to do with the split levels of the speakers (4), (2 high 6-7 feet), and the second pair, (1-2 feet lower.)
 
I had something similar a number of years ago and it went fine.

The couple had the no-dancing reception in the day to placate their parents and then partied with their friends that night.

It was actually an enjoyable wedding on my part, for I was able to pull out songs from deep within my library that I normally don't get the chance to play.

Announcing was minimal and right to the point.

By 5:00 I was back home with a full day's pay in my pocket and the rest of the night off! :sqcool:
 
The feedback from yesterday's bride just came in:

Justin and I had a wonderful time at the wedding. We couldnt have asked for a better dj. We are very happy with how everything turned out and sounded thanks to you Tom.
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Great Job Tom!

I have had a couple weddings that there was no dancing. Believe it or not they went over really well, alot of compliments. Of course dancing is great but music is also used to create an ambiance and energy for the room.
 
GoodKnightDJ said:
The feedback from yesterday's bride just came in:
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I guess...not to burst a bubble..but I'd almost bet any DJ would have got that letter! If you know what I mean!

But still....good...no wait...GREAT JOB!!

I probably would never do this type of event....I dont like the idea of 'no dancing'!

Just a personal opinion and nothing more!
 
Hmmm. So Adam, I guess you're saying that you measure the success of any event by how many people dance. Interesting. Whatever happened to the concept of providing the atmosphere for a good time, whatever the client thinks that means? If it's no dancing, then so be it.
 
Bryan Durio said:
Hmmm. Whatever happened to the concept of providing the atmosphere for a good time, whatever the client thinks that means? If it's no dancing, then so be it.

So Adam, I guess you're saying that you measure the success of any event by how many people dance. Interesting.
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No...lol...I mean if I am playing for a crowd...I love to watch them dance and have fun! I'm even happy with like 3 dancers on the floor...but yet almost every foot and head is boppin' in the crowd!

I just like to see people "expressing" how they really feel!

Its weird...but yea....I guess I am one of those guys that go out and dance! So I guess thats probably a small reason why!:sqwink:
 
Adam you are not alone.

Packed dance floors are a large measure of success.

Other measuring sticks can be "toetapping" in the audience, or effective coordination and emcee work to punctuate the event.

Take away the dance element, and it removes our safety net.
Our other talents need to be used, or we perish!
 
I have had some no alcohol non-dancing Baptist weddings that were great. Everyone knew the B&G and their religious beliefs, so they came to the wedding with those expectations in mind and they still had a good time. They hired me for the MC'ing and coordination of everything, and for background music.
 
Hey tom wait till you get other type weddings where there isnt dancing, the music is a clean as you washed your hands and one wrong move the heavy's come over and tell you off (potters house wedding I did)

well thats just the start I could give you some rippers.... but thats another thread
 
Its easy to get wrapped up in if none is dancing than the event was a failure. each event is different, not everyone is a dancing machine so its sometimes better to play the events where its more lowkey and people appreciate the music.

I had a corporate event this past christmas where no one danced but at the end of the event everyone was raving about how the music was great and that they had a great time drinking and hearing their music.

To each their own.
 
Brian:

Sounds like you've gotten past the mindset that dancing has to happen to make the event a success. That is a good thing.

I've found that there are too many DJs that think that if the guests aren't dancing, the party's a failure. These DJs tend to try to force people to dance and that just ticks the guests off.
 
Amen.
 
Boreing!!! Ive done a few of those gigs and dont like it.You first get the impression that your not playing the right music for the event,but I usually get an atta boy when its all done.Thou shall not dance,its evil.
 
Smallworld:

This may sound harsh, but, even though you may find it boring and you don't like it, it is not your call, it is your client's call. You are there to provide the entertainmnet and if that entertainment is background music and MC work, than that is your job for the day.

There is nothing that says that you can't liven it up with other things. Maybe some games, trivia, or something like that.

If we are going to survive in this new world of technology where the DIY bride can rent the gear and hook up an iPod, then we need to get past the fact that dancing is the be-all and end-all. Be the entertainment no matter how your client defines it!
 
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