Dance Floor for outdoor wedding? Is grass ok?

Raisin712 · August 2010

I am doing a completely DIY wedding, and very low cost. However, for our reception, I'm torn about renting a dance floor. The reception in in the backyard, which is nice and flat. But there will be older people at the wedding. Aside from their complaints about taking off their shoes to dance, I'm concerned someone might slip and fall. But the $500 price for a dance floor is outrageous! I'm not even spending that much on food!
Any helpful suggestions? Opinions? Should I just suck it up and rent the dance floor?
Thanks!

danieliza1127 · August 2010

Do you expect that the older people will even want to dance? Why would people have to take their shoes off?

loop0406 · August 2010

I agree with ILoveMilkDuds

Get a few more quotes but get a dance floor.

mica178 · August 2010

Dancing on grass in heels is no fun. Unless you have a deck or some other solid surface in your yard where people can dance, you should rent a dance floor for the comfort of your guests.

mysticl · August 2010

Even if the area is flat there may be small dips, stones, etc just waiting to sprain an ankle.

If the wedding is DIY maybe find a way to DIY a dance floor.

ehathewa · August 2010

The sinking heels thing will be an issue. I'd rent the dance floor.

frogurt814 · August 2010

I would suck it up and rent the dance floor. I agree with PPs; even if it is a flat area in the yard, there could still be dips/holes/debris, etc. I think it would be safer and more comfortable for your guests if you rented a dance floor.

aerinpegadrak · August 2010

Aside from the other issues, I've also observed that people don't really dance at weddings where there isn't a defined space to do so.

unplainjane · August 2010

i would get a dance floor. $500 seems like a lot. can you shop around to get a better price? i'm renting my dance floor from my venue for $200.

CA2MT4EveR · August 2010

I think that floor is cheap. Where I am from it is $1200 for the floor. If you are a true DIYer, get a few pieces of plywood and stain them.

Taking off shoes is gross.

Peavy · August 2010

If you want people to dance, rent a dance floor. Re the plywood DIY version, unless you can securely fasten the pieces together to make one level floor, this could pose a tripping hazard.

topchef33 · August 2010

Definitely look into renting a dance floor. Dancing in grass seems a bit dangerous w/heels.

banana468 · August 2010

Definitely see about renting a dance floor. I'm so not a fan of taking off my shoes or dancing in the grass with the shoes on.

jas92 · August 2010

I think dancing in the grass would be fun! As long as there is music people will dance anywhere. Why waste $500 on a dance floor for only a few hours especially since its a DIY wedding? Save the money for something special like your honeymoon! And for all you ladies who think taking your shoes off in the grass is gross? Get over yourselves. Its just grass!

flamingtwig72 · August 2010

I went to an outdoor wedding a few years ago with no dance floor. The result was that almost no one danced. It made for quite an awkward reception because there was no defined space and everyone was wondering if the bride and groom really expected us to dance on grass.

It's also a HUGE liability for you as the hosts because no matter how flat the backyard may be, it's still dangerous for women in heels to be dancing on grass. That's a twisted ankle waiting to happen.

As for the barefoot dancing thing, there should never be a point during a social event where guests are encouraged to remove their shoes (save pool parties). It's unseemly, uncomfortable, and just gross. Please don't do this.

I'd suggest making the dance floor a priority or not having dancing period, which is a perfectly fine option.

Raisin712 · August 2010

Thanks for all the replies. I happen to think dancing in grass is fun (just my opinion). My wedding is VERY low key. I am wearing flip flops. No heels here! I know this is terribly untraditional, but we just aren't fancy people, and we want our special day to reflect who we are. I'm looking at this as more of a party with family and friends.
Aside from that. I understand the liability factor. But isn't is also a liability if one of your guests in 3" heels tripped and fell on a perfectly level dance floor? My point is, there are always "what ifs" involved in these sort of things. I can't plan a reception for 50 guests around those. I can, however, focus on making it a fun and enjoyable occasion!
I am still thinking about the dance floor, mostly as a defined area where dancing is encouraged. However, I know my friends. If there is music, they will make a dance floor! You can't stop these ladies! I'm more concerned about the older folks wanting to dance, but not wanting to be as carefree as the younger people, barefoot and dancing in grass.
OH, and my last thought. I have never been to a wedding, dance, formal, date party, etc where the girls didn't end up taking their shoes off by the end of the night. It happens, whether you plan it or not. (probably the pain from heels!!!) So why not encourage this earlier in the evening? Is looking good for 2 hours more important than comfort?

banana468 · August 2010

It's one thing if the younger crowd takes off their shoes.

I've NEVER seen older women take off their shoes. My 90 year old grandmother danced at my reception and she'd die before the shoes came off.

I agree that $500 may be a lot, but I think you need to find a happy medium between a $500 dance floor and no dance floor at all. Yes there's a liability with anything you do but you reduce the liability when you plan for even footing.

AbbeyS2011 · August 2010

If you need a defined dance area, get some kind of poles and rope off a section with Christmas lights! I read about someone doing that at a wedding - make a cute "dance floor" sign.

I would suggest you put something on your wedding website, if you have one, about the dance floor being grass - suggest your guests bring along flip flops or comfy dancing shoes to change into! Or, if it is within your budget, buy a bunch of $ store flip flops and have them in a basket at the dance floor site.

Personally, I would be more worried about someone slipping and falling on a rented dance floor than I would in the grass.

MilleRsBest · August 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_reception-ideas_dance-floor-outdoor-wedding-grass-ok?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:5Discussion:5a44c390-13d2-4dcb-bb7d-cf896b69e3ccPost:fc7f0411-d78a-4d64-959b-d73731111368">Re: Dance Floor for outdoor wedding? Is grass ok?</a>:
[QUOTE]I think dancing in the grass would be fun! As long as there is music people will dance anywhere. Why waste $500 on a dance floor for only a few hours especially since its a DIY wedding? Save the money for something special like your honeymoon! And for all you ladies who think taking your shoes off in the grass is gross?<strong> Get over yourselves. Its just grass!</strong>
Posted by jas92[/QUOTE]

I'm not under myself, but I think it's gross!

I don't need dirty feet
I don't need to show off my feet
I don't want to step where a dog may have shhit (even if it was picked up)
I don't want to step in bird shhit
I don't want to step on bugs
I don't want to step where someone spit
I don't want to step where someone spilled their drink/lunch
ETC

banana468 · August 2010

And let's not forget that some nasty bugs make their nests in the grass.

katiedeardorff · August 2010

Guess you can tell who the city girls are, hahaha. For 50 guests, at a low- key, casual wedding, I don't see the problem in NOT having a dance floor. BUT if you ARE concerned about the Older folks wanting to dance, go ahead and make a small 2-3 plywood platform for them to dance on. If the others don't mind dancing in the grass, they can dance around the small platform and leave it to those who would like to use it. You'd probably spend $50 at most building it : )

banana468 · August 2010

Ahh yes. Only city girls dislike going barefoot in the grass.

Victoriatx · September 2010

no question about it, suck it up and get the floor or done even have music.

MommaSmurf922 · February 2012

Maybe make one out of wooden pallets??

Heavenly0209 · August 2013

I'm having my reception in my backyard and going to have my dance floor in the grass. I'm going to do a night reception, section it off with rope flights and offer flip flops near the dance floor. If people are to high Maintenance to dance in the grass then they can sit in a chair and miss out!!! Dancing in the grass is fun! And it's your day not there's!!

JoanE2012 · August 2013

Heavenly0209 said:

I'm having my reception in my backyard and going to have my dance floor in the grass. I'm going to do a night reception, section it off with rope flights and offer flip flops near the dance floor. If people are to high Maintenance to dance in the grass then they can sit in a chair and miss out!!! Dancing in the grass is fun! And it's your day not there's!!

Did you search to find this old thread??

And newsflash: Once you invite guests, the day is no longer about you. Your guests and their comfort should be top priority. I am not high maintenance, but I sure as hell am not going to go dancing barefoot on grass when I don't know what the hell pissed, pooped, spilled or is crawling there.

ETA: And cheap flip flops are not comfortable.

Ven&Radio · August 2013

Make sure you rent a floor that has more than enough room for all of your guests. The one time I went to a wedding with a rented/raised dance floor, it wasn't big enough. The main issue this caused is it would get packed to the point where it was uncomfortable, then everyone would go sit, then it would slowly fill up - rinse, repeat. The other thing is when it got super full, I fell off and twisted my ankle.

heidirs731 · August 2013

I would recommend a non-raised dance floor, perhaps some plastic or foam mats. A raised dance floor can be knocked against (for those not on it) and fallen off of (for those on it). And you have to worry about size. If you go with something non-raised, then if it's not large enough to accommodate all your guests, those that are okay with it can dance in the grass without worry of injuring themselves.

Here's a blog that mentions some DIY dance floors: http://www.poorandawesomeweddings.com/apps/blog/show/18125035-homemade-dance-floor-

southernbelle0915 · August 2013

THIS IS A ZOMBIE THREAD - 3 YEARS OLD. PLEASE LET IT REST IN PEACE.

THANK YOU.

cbrearley5 · August 2013

We are dancing on grass!!!!!

csinko824 · April 2014

We're dancing on grass too! We're poor, lol. So we're going to just get our closest family and friends together for a DIY wedding. Think about what "tradition" and "commercialism" have done to the modern wedding...honestly, are you going to have guests there who will be judgmental and turn their noses up at you if you don't have a real dance floor just because it's the "wedding thing to do"? I wouldn't invite those people! We're just here to have fun and celebrate the joining of two families. Have fun with it, do what you want to do and don't worry about what other people think.

Dance Floor for outdoor wedding? Is grass ok?

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