I’m a wedding photographer and can always tell when nobody is going to dance – it’s mostly the bride’s fault too
ASIDE from being jilted at the altar or tripping down the aisle, there’s one bigger fear every bride shares.
That is putting on the wedding reception of the century and forking out for a DJ… just for guests to spend the whole night sat down.
When we look back at pictures of our special day, we want to see our guests smiling and laughing, particularly on the dance floor.
But one wedding photographer has revealed there’s a common theme with receptions where nobody is dancing.
What’s more, it’s even the bride and grooms’ fault when it happens.
Taking to Instagram, Paul Wilkinson claimed it’s the “main reason” guests won’t dance at a wedding.
That is, the bride and groom not being on the dance floor themselves.
“Lead by example,” Paul urged.
“If you’re busting some moves, your guests will follow suit.
“Not dancing yourself is the main reason your dance floor won’t be popping off, so make sure you set the tone.”
He also cited good music as a key factor in getting guests to dance.
“Ask your guests to suggest a track or two for your playlist,” Paul recommended.
“If they get up to dance for their songs, they are more likely to then stay on the dance floor.”
Other things to think about are having dance floor props and providing late night snacks to keep dancing guests’ energy levels up.
“Think cowboy hats, glow sticks, sunglasses and colourful wigs,” Paul penned.
“It gets the dance floor lively and helps break inhibitions.
Dos and don’ts of wedding dress codes
By Josie Griffiths, Fabulous deputy editor and bride-to-be.
I’ll never forget the wedding I went to in October 2022 where a guest wore a white dress.
It was ill-fitting, knee length and looked nothing like an actual wedding dress, but that didn’t stop everyone judging her.
The rules on wedding guest outfits – which are annoyingly loads stricter for women than they are for men – are meant to be about “not upstaging the bride”, which in reality is quite hard to do on someone else’s wedding day.
But if you get it wrong as a guest, you do end up looking a bit silly, and in front of loads of people who don’t know you personally.
It’s just not the occasion for your new white dress, as much as online stores love dumping them in the ‘wedding guest’ section.
I’d avoid anything too tight/short, and ditch super formal gowns unless the dress code calls for them – you don’t want to be in a full length sequin gown at a smart casual event.
Personally I don’t like black dresses either, it isn’t a funeral.
Otherwise you should be pretty safe. Technically wearing red means you’re in love with the groom, but that’s the kind of rule most people would scoff at nowadays.
I do always check what colour the bridesmaids are in, just to be safe, after the Spanish wedding where I watched them walk down the aisle in the exact same dress I’d had in my Asos shopping basket just weeks earlier.
If in doubt, safest to just double check with the bride… but if you’re already doubting your dress that might be all the answer you need.
“Start with two to three high energy numbers immediately after the first dance to set the mood.”
Social media users took to the comments of his video to share their thoughts on dancing at weddings.
“I’m also not dancing if the lights are on,” one claimed.
“Kids on the dance floor running around usually kills it,” another moaned.