Weddings/Family Dance
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Question
I am a widow getting re-married. It will be my fiances 1st marriage. I have 2 young boys that we are wanting to include as much as possible and decided to do a "family dance" instead of the traditional father/bride, mother/groom dance (later in the song the D.J. will invite parents, siblings, nieces/nephews and etc. The only problem is, we can not think of any songs that would be fun for the boys/family and be appropriate. Can you help?
Dear Toni,
There are many dances that can be done as a 'family dance'... Alot depends on the ages and interests of your boys...
If they are VERY young (4-7) then you could do the 'Hokey Pokey', Chicken Dance or other popular childrens 'participation' type of dance... If they are older than that (say 8-13), you could try other participation type dances like the Cha Cha Slide (the song tells you what to do), or you could do something like YMCA or such...
Other options are just standard dance songs that have a 'family' theme to them...
Like:
We Are Family
Family Affair
I Hope You Dance
That's What Friends Are For
Sweet Home Alabama
Leader Of The Band
If you want to open it up halfway through, then I don't think a participation dance is the way to go... Go with a slower dance and just have YOUR whole family get in a circle and dance together, then about 1/3rd of the way in (NOT halfway) have your emcee invite the others up all together or maybe even open the dancefloor up to everyone... The reason not to wait until halfway is because it will take folks 30 seconds to get up to the dance floor and start dancing and you don't want them to come up and only have 1 minute left on the song (most songs are around 3 to 3:30 long).
Good luck with your new family!
DJ Alan
Amazing Sounds
http://www.amazingsounds.com
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Answers by Expert:
Alan Mckenzie
Expertise
All music and entertainment related questions for wedding ceremonies and receptions. Questions on timelines, unique reception ideas, hiring wedding entertainment, finding entertainment professionals and even other things like: How to(and why you should) make a seating chart (don't put the talkers near the dance floor!), The different TYPES of DJs/Bands and how you can find the right one for your event. We also offer a "Grooms Workshop" to help educate the newly engaged GROOM.
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Over 23 years experience as a Disc Jockey with the last 18 years as a wedding entertainment specialist. Experienced in planning, helping to coordinate and entertaining clients and guests in a professional, fun and elegent manner.
In addition I have taught several seminars on interaction (as an entertainer), microphone skills, business plans, keeping yourself educated, digital DJ'ing and more.
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American Disc Jockey Assoc., Pacific Coast Disc Jockey Association (Past President & also a founding member), Southern Calif. Entertainers Assoc., ABC (Association of Bridal Consultants), Bridal Assoc. of America, Oxnard Chamber of Commerce.
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Mobilebeat Magazine, Ventura Wedding Guide, Santa Barbara News Press (wedding suppliment article), Respond.com, Bridesandgrooms.com, Rainbowproductions.com, Foreverwed.com, Ultimatewedding.com, Bridalgoddess.com, Buyersclub.com (their wedding section), WeddingZone.com, WeddingPlanningHelp.com and of course on our website at: http://www.amazingsounds.com as well.
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I teach seminars for other entertainers on subjects such as; Marketing, Advertising, Web Search Engine Optimization, How to help your clients even BEFORE they hire you, Pricing your services fairly, Knowing the REAL cost of doing business, Ethics for DJs (buying music, licensing, insurance, etc.).
I have also attended (and continue to do so) numerous seminars specifically related to mobile dj's as well as workshops and seminars for coordinators, speakers, team building, presentations, voice skills and more.
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Past President of the Pacific Coast Disc Jockey Association, also past Vice President and a Founding Member. We also are the ONLY Entertainment company in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties that has passed the rigid qualifications to become a "Certified Wedding Professional".
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