4 Hacks to Get Every Guest Dancing

Let’s be real: As a bride, you’ve spent months obsessing over centerpieces, the exact shade of "cream", and whether Aunt Linda’s gluten-free-vegan-paleo diet will be accommodated. But on the big day, there is only one metric for success: The Dance Floor.

If that floor is empty, the wedding is just an expensive dinner party where you're wearing a very heavy dress.

As a behavioral science nerd (and someone who has analyzed way too many social cues), I know that getting people to dance isn't about the music—it’s about reducing the friction of social awkwardness. People want to dance; they’re just terrified of being the first ones to do it.

Here are 10 "behavioral hacks" to manipulate—I mean, encourage—your guests to stay on their feet.

1. The "Song Ransom" RSVP

Behavioral Science calls this Endowment Effect. If guests feel they’ve contributed to the playlist, they feel a sense of ownership over it. On your RSVP cards, demand a song request. If they hear "their" song and don't dance, they’re basically betraying themselves.

Here's our Get-Them-On-The-Floor Handouts to include in the envelope with your wedding invitation or have guests fill them out when they walk into the wedding. 2. The "Group Photo" Bait-and-Switch

Have the DJ announce a "Mandatory Group Photo" on the dance floor. Once you have every single guest in a tight, sweaty cluster, have the photographer take the photo, and then—BOOM—the DJ drops a high-energy anthem. They’re already standing there. Resistance is futile.

3. Ego-Boosting Props

There is a strange psychological phenomenon where props provide a "shield" for people to do things they normally wouldn't. A grown man in a tuxedo will feel "too cool" to dance, but give him a plastic neon saxophone, and he’s suddenly Kenny G.

Other great ideas include Hula-hoops, Limbo stick and sparkly gems to paste on guests' faces.

4. The Midnight Snack Lure

Around 10:30 PM, blood sugar drops. Instead of a buffet in the corner, have servers bring sliders or mini-tacos directly onto the dance floor. It keeps the energy centralized. If you feed them on the floor, they stay on the floor.

Before you go! If you're not sure what to play for your last song I've created this playlist with a variety of great options, crack open a bottle of wine with your fiancée, give it a listen, and see which one creates the most spark.

Your guests want to let loose. They just need a little "nudge" to get there. Use these hacks, and I promise your wedding will be less "formal gala" and more "I need to carry my heels night."