Swing, waltz, polka dancing vs traditional dj playlist dancing

My husband’s grandparents danced to Pennsylvania Polka at our wedding and it was a hit!! Everyone clapped along and enjoyed watching Nana and Pap Pap (both in their 80s) steal the spotlight for a very special moment ❤️

I think it sounds super fun to have that kind of dancing. We weren't looking for the huge party vibe either, but we played a variety of music (we're pretty eclectic in our tastes) - but we did a playlist versus a DJ/band - so no one was trying to "hype the crowd" as it were.

That sounds like a blast! I would maybe just want to know ahead of time because I would totally practice some new moves haha. Maybe there is some cute way of adding that into your invitations or on your website if you have one.

I was thinking of doing this and maybe hiring a few people from the ballroom dance studio I took lessons at the walk around and offer to teach a few moves.
Also, I’ve gone to dance social nights where they do a 30 min very basic group lesson - I thought that might be fun for cocktail hour?

This would be fun, but only if your guests know these type of dances. I for one do not so I would be quite bored. I went line dancing years ago and every now and then one of the instructors would take over the dance floor and teach a dance for the newbies (me!) so everyone could have a chance to dance. I think if you go this route doing something similar should be included. Otherwise guests might feel left out/bored. Then they may be more likely to leave early.

This is a 'know your crowd' thing.

But it's also your wedding, and if this is the type of playlist you want, go for it!

Though, I'd echo Cassidy, and say, maybe have someone show those who *don't* know the dances what to do.

I think it would be fun to do a few dances like this. However, I would not make this the only dancing. For those who do not know the dance, or that do not have a partner, they might feel a little left out. But I would definitely do a few of those dances since they seem to be important to you and your family!

The music itself sounds fun. But very few people will dance to it because they don't know how, and may not have a partner. If you don't want modern dancing, skip the dj and get a band.

We had a live big band and 3 hours of ballroom, dancing, which is the traditional for weddings, with or without the specific ethnic dances like polka. To me a wedding without a waltz for romance, and some swing to get your blood going, is not romantic . A lot of people do not recognize that many of the spirited love songs they dance to are in waltz time. Because fully half of our reception guests were 36 to 70, and a huge number either Italian near the Austrian border, Danish or from Finland, we had lots of variety.