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The Great Dance Debate

YoursEtcRachelYoursEtcRachel
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in Wedding Reception Forum
Hey there! We're 4 months away from tying the knot and we need to nail down the reception. My fiance and I are pretty laid back people and our wedding is going to be a casual affair for about 175 guests. It's going to be rustic/elegant/barn-y/burlap-and-lace affair. We're classy folk ;)

I had the idea of renting a jazz ensemble from the local college, and having them play during the reception. I have a lovely fantasy of people swing/line dancing to classy jazzy music, but I don't know how much of a reality that could be. I want to avoid a DJ because I want to keep it clean and classy, and keep the casual feel of the reception.

The other option is to do no music at all. If we chose that, I'm not sure how we would do the first dance/daddy-daughter dance/etc. Thoughts??
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Re: The Great Dance Debate

  • calliopeia2013calliopeia2013 member
    500 Comments Second Anniversary 25 Love Its Name Dropper
    I'm confused about what your problem is with a DJ.  Is it that you don't think pre-recorded music is classy at all, or just that you don't like the typical loud DJ persona?

    If it's the former, and you only want live music, maybe just hire an ensemble for your few spotlight dances?  Because Retread is right that many people don't know how to dance to jazz.  And maybe a string quartet or something for your ceremony music? 

    If it's the latter, and you just don't like DJs, you can always do an iPod reception or, you know, just find a laid-back DJ.  My DJ didn't say a word for the entire reception except to introduce us; she just kept the music playing.

    I admit, I feel like no music at all would be weird for a wedding.  It's really hard to keep a party feeling alive if you don't have any background music at all, and having dancing at a wedding is great since it gives people the chance to take a break from actual socializing if they want to.  I know at my wedding I really appreciated having a few dances with my husband where I didn't have to worry about greeting people and making small talk and stuff, and could just tune out and be with him.
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  • Maggie0829Maggie0829 member
    Eighth Anniversary 10000 Comments 500 Love Its 25 Answers
    DJs play the music that you like and request.  If you don't like loud club music then tell them that and they won't play it.

    But like Retread said, even if you do the jazz band will all your guests know and want to swing dance.  I know if I was one of your guests I wouldn't know what they heck was going on.

    In the end you don't have to have dancing but background music is a must.  You may not always notice the background music but if there was no music the lack of it would be deafening.

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