Quantum Music Event Planners

"The Money Dance"

So, you are debating over whether or not to have a money dance. You may be concerned about it coming off wrong, making your guests uncomfortable or looking a bit tacky. But, it can also be a great way for participation, having interaction with your guests, having lots of fun and lets face it…getting some financial reward. How can you carry this off without any of the negative factors raising their ugly head. It really depends on the DJ you hire! The transition into the actual special dance and the way your DJ conducts his or herself on the microphone play a major role in how your guests will perceive what is happening.

The DJ being “Cheesy” or trying to be funny, actually making remarks like ”Bring Your Checks, Cash, or Credit Cards…” , is very inappropriate. The DJ should simply make the announcement to inform your guests about the dance. Also, you don’t want to attempt the dance and not get a reaction, subsequently leaving you stranded and possibly embarrassed on the dance floor at your own wedding! So, I am here to give you a plan of action.

First, do not attempt a money dance after you serve dessert! Sometimes, older guests plan on leaving immediately after the cake. These are guests that will not be participating and therefore not giving any money! Also, if people are eating cake or enjoying their dessert, they are far less likely to get up and dance. We always peform the money dance early in the wedding reception. This does a few things. It will get your guests up out of their seats and moving. It also gets them used to being out on the dance floor.

Second, the DJ should plan ahead. Communication is key. Having willing participants ahead of time is very important. The DJ should approach members of the bridal party to inform them of the dance and ask specific bridal party members, “the bestman and maid of honor” if they wouldn’t mind getting things started. This way, by the time the DJ is finished announcing the dance and procedures to your guests, there is already someone out on the dance floor with you, giving your guests a visual and most importantly Not Leaving You Stranded and Embarrassed.

Third, the money dance should not take too long. Traditionally the dance can take up to 30 minutes! It can take over and ruin a beautiful wedding. So, we always play just a few selections, not too fast and not too slow, and then the DJ makes an announcement, ”If you haven’t had a chance to dance with our lovely couple, we will continue the Money Dance, however we will also open the dance floor for the Entire Wedding Party”. So now you’ve actually transitioned into open dancing. Your guests are used to being on the floor, if they are waiting to dance with you they will have fun dancing while they wait and it didn’t take over your wedding and become boring.

It is best to perform the dance after your First Dance or even after any Parent Dances. This also is a good way of holding back the actual “Bridal Party” dance. You can then use this special dance and transition into open dancing after the cake or dessert to keep the party going, almost like a second half or new start making for a great party flow!

"Dancing Through The Decades, (An Alternative to the Bouquet Toss)"

At many weddings there usually comes a point when the disc jockey plays a song and makes an announcement that the bride will now toss her beautiful bouquet. The disc jockey makes a request for all of the single ladies to make their way to the dance floor. And the spotlight is on.

Naturally, some would-be participants are not so willing to be "singled" out of the entire wedding party as one of those poor unmarried souls. Everyone is paying attention, the photographer stands ready, and suddenly these young ladies have been thrust into the midst of a competition, at what was supposed to have been a nice, elegant evening of dinner, conversation and dancing in their lovely cocktail dresses.

And then it's the gentlemen's turn to chase, dive, jump or even wrestle over the garter, often in a drunken stuper. Sometimes it's even worse. I've seen weddings where, in a moment that seems to occur in slow motion, the garter slowly floats down to earth after being tossed by the groom because no single man makes any attempt at catching it, preferring to watch it land before simply walking away.

What can a soon-to-be-married couple do to avoid these awkward moments you ask? Well, I have a simple answer that I like to call "The Dance Through The Decades."

This dance will encourage participation, evoking the spirit of true support and recognition while creating a sentimental mood of love involving many more of the wedding guests. The Disc Jockey will request all the "Married Couples" to join the bride and groom on the dance floor. Being invited guests at the wedding, most couples will certainly comply. As a result you'll have immediate participation and a show of support for the brand-new couple. As everyone makes their way to the floor, the DJ should play a nice romantic tune for all to enjoy.

Once the dancing has begun, after a few moments the DJ will make a request: "If there are any couples that have been married for less than one day, they may have a seat." The response may be surprise, but the guests will soon catch on as the newly married couple takes their seats. After a few moments more of dancing, the DJ will make another announcement: "If there are any couples that have been married five years and less, you may have a seat as well. Thank you for participating."

Now everyone will realize what is happening. Conversation grows as the dance continues, with everyone trying to figure out which couple has been married the longest. The DJ continues as the music plays, 10 years, 15 years, 20 years and so on.

In your wedding, as the dance gets closer to highlighting your longest married couple, the DJ should encourage the other wedding guests to applaud each couple as they are eliminated. Having performed this event many times, I have often finished the dance with couples who have been married for over 50 years. Once the longest married couple has been determined and everyone is cheering, the bride and groom present the bouquet and garter to the winning couple. At this point the DJ should acknowledge all participating couples.

This event usually only takes a few songs, which is also a bonus. It creates a very special moment, without taking over your wedding.