Bryan, if there were only 40 people at this wedding, you didn't have much to work with. Brides have to be open to songs that guests will dance to. Yes, I'll play their special requests but if their playlist isn't working the client needs to understand the reason why.
Country and Alternative = Wrong music. Slow Country songs work but not many faster country songs fill the dance floor. Other possible problems: Lighting, some of these type of venues have bright flourescent lights that can't be dimmed. Cash bar, people drink less if they have to pay for it. Time of the day, day of the week, weather, - so many things that can work for or against the DJ getting people to dance.
I also agree with EERobert as far as playing those songs that will get some people on the floor. If the bride doesn't want those songs, either convince her or go to plan B. Plan B would be what Cap was referring too - as the MC, lead people to the dance floor. Announcements like "we need everyone in the Johnson family to come out and dance to 'we are family'", "We need all married couples to come out to the dance floor", (anniversary dance optional), "ladies choice" etc.
yeah, I had a wedding similar to this in April. Lighting was terrible, and not much dancing except for participation line dances. There was an open door that was bringing sunlight into the room. Started at 4pm which was too early IMO. The party ended early and I there wasn't much I could have done to coax people into dancing. I did the newlywed shoe game (which always gets some laughs) and if I had more games I would have done them too.
Country and Alternative = Wrong music. Slow Country songs work but not many faster country songs fill the dance floor. Other possible problems: Lighting, some of these type of venues have bright flourescent lights that can't be dimmed. Cash bar, people drink less if they have to pay for it. Time of the day, day of the week, weather, - so many things that can work for or against the DJ getting people to dance.
I also agree with EERobert as far as playing those songs that will get some people on the floor. If the bride doesn't want those songs, either convince her or go to plan B. Plan B would be what Cap was referring too - as the MC, lead people to the dance floor. Announcements like "we need everyone in the Johnson family to come out and dance to 'we are family'", "We need all married couples to come out to the dance floor", (anniversary dance optional), "ladies choice" etc.
yeah, I had a wedding similar to this in April. Lighting was terrible, and not much dancing except for participation line dances. There was an open door that was bringing sunlight into the room. Started at 4pm which was too early IMO. The party ended early and I there wasn't much I could have done to coax people into dancing. I did the newlywed shoe game (which always gets some laughs) and if I had more games I would have done them too.