Dancing at Small Weddings?

[Kate G]

Hi Brides,

 

I have had this on my mind since I started getting into my wedding planning so I thought it was time to bring it to the boards and get people's feedback that have gone through the same thing regarding dancing at smaller sized weddings.

 

I am getting married at Dreams in Puerto Vallarta next May. I have always imagined my wedding have dancing of course, and can't really picture it without it. However, the deeper I am getting into planning this wedding, the more I am realizing that since it is a destination wedding, most of the people we're inviting won't be coming. So far I have 17 confirmed out of about 100 total guests invited. So this has been worrying me because I just have such a hard time picturing the wedding reception (which will be on the terrace at Dreams) being really high-energy and dancey with such a small crowd! Now granted, the wedding is still over 6 months away and I'm sure that more than 17 will end up coming, but I would be surprised if much more than 30 to 40 attend. I don't doubt that the people that are there won't have a good time, but I keep picturing it being awkward when trying to round people up to dance. And what troubles me even more is that I am just going the playlist route, so won't have a DJ to possibly control the crowd and get the energy flowing.

 

So my question for you all is: are you facing the same fears about dancing and "fun" at your reception with a small crowd? And the brides that have already experienced it, how has it gone for you?

 

Am I overthinking this? I figure I'm going to be in Mexico with my closest family and some good friends, so how bad could it really be, right?

[Lizrmt]

I've been thinking the same same thing, I have 30 guests booked. Problem is several of our guests are ditching their spouses and kids to come (about 10 of them) which only leaves 8 couples and 2 kids .

[Kate G]

I hear ya, @Lizrmt. 

 

A few of my girlfriends will be coming solo so I hope this doesn't dissuade people from dancing!

[kellip17]

I've had this on my mind too.  In fact, I've said from the beginning that my biggest fear is that the "party" won't get started.  I've come to the conclusion that there are 3 variables that must be in place in order to have that fun, party atmosphere...the right music, alcohol must be flowing, and the right combination of people.  We obviously can't control the last one (for the most part) so I'm just going to cross my fingers and hope for the best.

[kellip17]

I've had this on my mind too.  In fact, I've said from the beginning that my biggest fear is that the "party" won't get started.  I've come to the conclusion that there are 3 variables that must be in place in order to have that fun, party atmosphere...the right music, alcohol must be flowing, and the right combination of people.  We obviously can't control the last one (for the most part) so I'm just going to cross my fingers and hope for the best.

[Kate G]

That's definitely true, those variables must be there! Yeah I am really happy for whoever will be able to come but so far the people that have made their travel arrangements are older...I haven't really had any friends book anything yet I just want it to be fun, but I guess once we are there things will just kind of play out naturally. 

[Connolly]

I am definitely worried about it too! I invited 100 people to our wedding and thought we would have 60 attend, but it looks like it will be about 38, plus some kids. I've been a little upset over it and have had thoughts about whether I should have done a local wedding, but I know it will be an amazing time.

 

I think the key to getting people to dance is having GREAT music and lots of alcohol. Unfortunately, the only thing we can do is plan the music list and hope for the best. I have never heard anyone say they had a bad time at a destination wedding, but I have heard people say local, traditional weddings, have been just okay!