A Little More Conversation, A Little Less Dancin’, Please …

Couples looking to make the most of their time with guests may say yes to entertainment while keeping the event dance-free

By Nola Sarkisian-Miller
CTW Features

For some brides-to-be, dancing is one activity that can take a bow when it comes to their weddings. Their decision to ban the boogie may stem from a desire to actually talk to guests at the reception. Brides who fear not spending enough time with their family at the big event might see eliminating dancing as one way to free up more conversational opportunities.

“Dancing is not for everyone,” says Christine Baumgartner, who owns The Perfect Day, a wedding planning services firm in Laguna Niguel, Calif. “I didn’t have dancing at my wedding. It was all about the food and talking.”

That’s not to say that there’s no entertainment at the big event. Baumgartner recently worked with a client who wanted a steel drum band for her outdoor reception. The performers played music from Bob Marley, the Beach Boys and other rock bands at a decibel level that was conducive to talking.

Performances also can replace dancing. Sal Kuenzler, president of City Connection Entertainment and Productions in Agoura Hills, Calif., is working with a client who wants a bluegrass music band interspersed with square dancing.

“We’re hiring square dancers and a caller that will instruct the couple and the guests,” Kuenzler says.

Sometimes culture plays a role in the decision for a dance-free wedding. For instance, couples of certain religions, such as Seventh-day Adventists, are often restricted from dancing. Asian weddings often don’t include dancing, says Melody Walker, who owns a wedding planning business in Southern California. Walker recently helped plan a wedding for an Asian couple that had a disc jockey with professional dancers and a magician.

“It lent a different flavor to the event,” she says.

Couples still may brave their first dance together on the dance floor, but that’s about the only time they’ll twist and shout. Figuring out what kind of music works best at a non-dance-oriented wedding isn’t as challenging as one may think. Entertainment planners say a variety of genres work well as background music at wedding receptions. Kuenzler has recently provided flamenco rumba styles a la Gipsy Kings at a wedding and is working with another client who wants jazz.

Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire types need not worry, however, that dancing is on the wane.

“Most couples still want to party till they drop and dance on the tables even if they don’t,” Kuenzler says.

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