Video- Project Block 14 Lecture Part 1.mp4
There are events that occur throughout your reception {we’ll get to basic orders later} which need to be facilitated out loud so that guests can keep up. Someone needs to coordinate the order of events so that they are all achieved, but also so that they occur before all of your guests {or your photographer} leave.
Someone with a loud voice, authoritative demeanor and preferably a microphone is the ideal candidate. For this Project Block, we talk mostly about the first round of dancing that is commonly associated with your reception “starting” after dinner. These are many of the things your guests are sticking around to see…
Building your Worksheet
Image:
Find a fun image that showcases the fun and or beautiful memories that you want to remember at your reception. Are you planning to do a bunch of wild and crazy group dances or are your traditional dances very sentimental and everyone will cry?
Find all sorts of inspiration on the Project Block 14 Pinterest Board
Ingredients:
The Main Ingredient for this Project Block is an actual human… Someone with a loud voice, authoritative demeanor and preferably a microphone is the ideal candidate. He/She facilitates the first round of dancing that is commonly associated with your reception “starting” after dinner. Those are many of the things your guests are sticking around to see…
Prior to Wedding:
HIRE A DJ/EMCEE
Plan to interview some DJs or bands.
Determine where the DJ will be located during the reception {close to the dance floor with outlets}
DANCE FLOOR
SPACE: Ask your venue or map out on the property where the flattest, accessible place is to put a dance-floor.
RENT/BUILD: Determine how to acquire a dance floor if needed
Rent: Negotiate delivery/setup/return contract
Build: Hire a contractor/purchase supplies
LIGHTING: Make sure you discuss lighting needs
Identify any trip hazards such as extension cords
Perhaps purchase some brown/green Duct Tape to secure Extension cords to the ground
DANCING
Determine your Traditional Dance Order
Choose Songs for each
Tell your DJ
Determine Group Dances
Wedding Party, Anniversary, Group Game, etc
Choose Songs for each
BOUQUET & GARTER TOSS
Will you be tossing these and when?
Choose songs
Have your florist add a Tossing Bouquet to your list and buy a garter.
Staging Materials:
There will be sound equipment and lots of it. You’ll need a table to set it all up on and a few extension cords. Decide how big of a table is needed and write in the specific items used for the styling factor of this Project, the table, linen or big furniture, etc. This way the person setting it up for you {Person in Charge} will know what it is supposed to look like in the pictures.
*Advice: This Project needs to be more functional than pretty or even themed. There needs to be more room for equipment than decorations. A linen may not even be wanted by a DJ so you’ll want to account for a nicer looking table.
Wedding Day Set Up:
Identify:
Who is setting up the Staging before the DJ/Band Arrives?
Who is doing the sound check and when?
Who knows where the fuse box is in case of breaker trip?
Where will the DJ/Band park so that they have easy access to unload all their equipment? They’ll have to make a lot of trips with heavy things if you’re parking them out in a field. I recommend allowing them to pull in as close as possible and then allowing them to go park elsewhere. You may need to inform some venues or offer additional hands to help them get unloaded quickly.
Overview: To Finish this Project…
You’ll want to decide on your Traditional Dance order and then each song that will be played. Your DJ/Band should have a list for you to complete. The big ones are:
Couple’s First Dance
Father Daughter Dance
Mother Son Dance
Anniversary Dance {Optional}
Then per the usual drill…
Check off when the Project is Done, Packed and Ready to Go
Check off when this Project is loaded into a Big Day vehicle
Assign the Person who is setting it up for you {if different than the Person in Charge}
Name your Person in Charge. He or she will then take over the Worksheet and check off the remaining Wedding Day Set Up boxes as they are completed.
Video- Project Block 14 Lecture Part 2.mp4
Blog Post | How to Hire and Awesome Wedding DJ
Blog Post | How to Coordinate your Traditional Wedding Dances
Blog Post | Father & Daughter Dance – East Coast Swing Inspiration