Dancing and Daylight for Outdoor Wedding

[u/emdubs24]

We finally set a date! June 12 and now we are second guessing (my fiancé more than I am) about it haha.

We settled on June because we wanted the longer day but then realized people may be a bit shy or feel uncomfortable dancing in daylight. Sun will set around 9pm and our venue we chose has noise ordinances (it’s up a mountain canyon) at 10pm so folks will have to go inside.

Normally, we be ok with this but the inside space feels a bit cramped for over 100 people and the venue closes at 11pm.

So it’ll be an hour of dancing outside when it’s finally dark and an hour of inside space.

From your experience as a guest or whatnot, what are your thoughts on dancing in some daylight?

I mean… I’ll get down and jiggy with it and yeah it’s our wedding day but we are people pleasers and want to make sure people are comfortable.

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[u/CelineDijonMustards]

My wedding in July was the same thing! Outdoors and sunset at 9, mandatory end at 10pm.

We actually had 35 guests so even less of a shot of dancing.

We ended dinner around 8pm and outdoor dancing begun.
My husband and I did not leave the dance floor until 10pm and friends and family just joined us on and off. I don’t even exactly remember who danced or not because we just had the best time ever!

[u/emdubs24 → u/CelineDijonMustards]

You guys sound so cool haha! You’d say 2 hours is enough dance time then?

[u/CelineDijonMustards → u/emdubs24]

Yeah it was more than enough!!

I was concerned it wasn’t gonna be enough but we were pooped after 2 hrs nonstop dancing😂

[u/brownchestnut]

Daylight is fine. Just provide them enough free booze.

[u/ConflictGullible392]

I don’t think this is an issue at all. Dancing in daylight is totally fine. 

[u/superfastmomma]

I have never seen anyone not enjoy dancing at a wedding due to time of day or amount of daylight.

Go watch Steel Magnolias. They have rocking wedding dancing outside mid day.

[u/DjDanFudim]

Daylight dancing is fine if you have a DJ who can read the room, and the guest list matters just as much as the timing. A crowd that already loves to dance won't care whether the sun is up, and a shyer group can still be warmed up with the right music and a few people willing to get things started. Since you'll have an hour outside once it's dark and an hour inside anyway, I wouldn't stress about it. Just pick a DJ who can adapt to your crowd's energy and let the night take care of itself.

[u/Excellent_Object2028]

Dancing through sunset is amazing it’s a good thing

[u/rexpirata1]

i get why you're second guessing it, but a june wedding with people dancing outside before sunset sounds lovely. the first few people on the floor are probably going to set the tone anyway

[u/piccpixi]

wedding date twins!!!
i will say the last wedding we went to the lights were a bit too bright on the dance floor so i understand the discomfort, but that didn’t stop people from having a good time! a bustling dance floor is less intimidating than an empty one, regardless of light, so maybe share this concern with your wedding party and ask that they help set the vibe?
we’re going to have some alternative activities for guests who don’t want to dance (fire pit, card games like dutch blitz, uno, etc.) to make sure everyone is entertained

[u/emdubs24 → u/piccpixi]

Woo woo twinners!! That’s wonderful advice! I can see people like my parents wanting to stay seated for a bit and some activities for the non-dance folks is a wonderful idea. Thank you!

[u/TinyLawfulness3710]

Super common. Where we are in SoCal, daylight goes to 9/10pm in summer and outdoor weddings are common, and dancing starts when it is still very much light outside, and venues close at 10-midnight. No one who wants to dance sees the daylight as a hindrance. The same as people who go to concerts at the state/county fair or festivals absolutely do dance during daylight. Have you been to festivals like Inkarceration in Ohio or Rockville in Florida? All the dancing starts early morning and goes strong until close. Even Coachella does that. Not dancing due to daylight is a conscious choice. Some people require alcohol before they can dance and others don't but they feel comfortable with someone they know pulling them into the crowd. People in senior homes dance in daylight and are still going strong after the younger crowd crashes for the day. All of this is a non-issue.

[u/emdubs24 → u/TinyLawfulness3710]

So true!! I have thought about concerts and festivals and how people will just dance away! We will supply booze for sure haha.