How many people will be attending your wedding?

Some people are surprised when one of the first questions I ask them is, "What is your expected headcount?" They may answer, "What does that have to do with anything?" I remember a gentleman on the phone that really got bothered by my asking this question! He didn't understand that it was needed so I could give him a price quote. With this info, I know how many hours of music and dancing one can expect, and how much lighting I'll need, as well as other party props.

First, lets present a "no brain'er". If asked which party would you normally expect to have the most fun at... one with only 50 guests or one with 200+ guests? Most would answer the one with 200+ and they would be correct. Obviously, it’s a numbers game and THAT becomes more important as you move from the opening hour to the final hour.

But you can "sway" the numbers, if you're a smart DJ.

With a small group of people, you've got to work much harder to make the party a success. It doesn't take a good DJ to have a successful party with 200 or 300 people! In that case, the percentages will kick in and provide the fun automatically because out of a group that large, there are bound to be some very energetic people in the group who would have fun even at an IBM meeting!

Group 1: These guests will plan to leave shortly after dinner, (normally a small number of guests, not close friends but people you felt you had to invite!).

Group 2: Will come planning to leave after the formal dances. Usually folks who don't dance and feel like a bull in a china shop on the dance floor. They'll say their farewells early, usually when the dancing music really gets started.

Group 3: Will want to stay until the formal events and tossing of the bouquet and garter is over. They are more curious than the first two groups and really do enjoy "being out". (Hence, don't let your photographer or wedding coordinator argue to move these events to the front of the party!)

Group 4: Will stay for a few dances, then plan on leaving, usually about halfway through the party. What else could happen at a reception party that is worth sticking around for anyhow? The food is gone and it's a cash bar. We've stayed long enough. Let's say good-bye and boogie.

Group 5: The die-hards, the ones that stay until they are thrown out! This is usually family and "close, tight" friends, such as the wedding party. They're on the dance floor in a circle at midnight with a drink in hand, singing with Billy Joel to "Piano Man". And when the last dance is announced, they almost get riled.

The larger the number of total guests, the larger each group mentioned above will be. A reception that started our with 200 people will have more "party" guests near the end than the party that only sported 50. Now it makes sense, right? At the end of say ... just three to four hours, the group of 50 will probably be down to a handful of "family" members. That may even happen after just two to three hours!

Now what does this mean and what can be done?

The easy answer is ... inviting more people! Okay, we're on a budget. Got to feed'em ya know.

First, it is important to book a package that will cover hours needed as opposed to skimping and not having the party covered adequately. Three hours won't usually do unless you're talking about a small group of 50 or 60 people, where the party WILL fizzle more quickly, AND it will with a tiny group. The best DJ in the nation won't keep all 50 people from start to finish, and will work extra hard to keep a few folks on the dance floor. About 5% to 10% of your guests, be it 50 or be it 500, will carry the dance floor. You might have five of the fifty who tend to dance more often, but they won't dance hour after hour!

Second, it is important to hire a fun and energetic DJ that uses techniques to prolong each group's "expected stay" that we discussed above! People are very curious creatures. Show them what fun is early and peak their curiosity... and they'll hang around longer than they had originally planned!

A great DJ will actually start this process during the dinner hour, setting the theme as fun. As the night goes on, you will want more excitement on the party floor to drive the larger individual groups that we discussed above, further into the party. This will entice them to stay longer and you’ll wind up with a nice sized group at the end of the evening!

Now the AVERAGE DJ basically shows up and just plays music, period. He's boring. He does boring introductions. His dinner hour is boring. Often his music is boring. He does all the wrong things like playing inappropriate requests from guests that even Michael Jackson couldn't dance too, (It is okay to take requests, but the DJ must be smart about it)! And sadly, he just doesn't get it. His four-hour party with 65 people just turned into the party from Hell.

TIP: This principle should apply to all of your wedding services such as your reception hall, for example. Would it make sense to book a hall for a six-hour party when you're inviting about 60 people? Probably not! Likewise, would it make sense to book a hall for three hours when you’re inviting 300 people? You see... it really is a numbers game!

Inside Humor: What is funny is some clients who are shopping may be worried about a DJ who can handle 300 guests! DJ's love BIG numbers! It is the client who says we're having 30 or 40 people that should cause concern about whether the DJ can pull this party off or not!

To summarize; you need to hire an energetic DJ personality to make the fun start early and keep it flowing, especially in groups with less than 100 people. However a great DJ is still needed for larger groups to stir the masses and keep everything going.

Check out more of my friend Dwight's writings at his website BerryBeat.com