How Much Open Dance Floor Time Do You Really Need?

A question I hear all the time is: “How much time should we schedule for dancing?” My answer: 30 minutes of open dance floor time.

Open dance floor is the time after your specialty dances, the first dance, parent dances, and any other religious or cultural dances like the hora, when everyone is welcomed to dance. Some couples think they have party people or guests who love to dance, so they feel like they should have their photographer on the dance floor all night. The truth is, your first 30 minutes will be the most lively, with the largest number of guests joining in.

If you don’t have a coordinator: make sure your DJ or band knows the timeline. I always talk with them too to help everything run smoothly.

If you’re planning to have dessert out during dancing and want photos of it, consider that for your timeline as well. For more guidance on wedding cake check my blog post on the subject.

I always suggest putting your photography budget into getting ready photos instead of trying to cover the dance floor all night. That first 30 minutes captures the energy, excitement, and movement that will give you the best memories of your celebration.