‘Socially Distanced” dance floor?

This isnt something I have thought about. And I think I'm going to continue not to. I wont be telling people to stay away from one another. Theyll just have to police themselves.

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I definitely agree on not wanting to tell people what to do. I just was thinking about if the state doesn’t allow dance floors. I also wanted to offer something that helps people feel at ease

My wedding is August 30. We postponed from April and I am also so stressed about not knowing what restrictions will be in place. I feel like I want to wait until all restrictions are gone since I feel like we’re paying soooo much money for this lol. And idk if I want to be remembered as the socially distanced wedding. Like itll just be a sad reminder forever. Has your venue given you any real info about what the restrictions will be? Ours is in NY as well and the best they could tell me is theyre opening second week of July with mask requirements but no clue how long thatll last

Being upstate might give you a little more freedom than being in the city, but I think you're going to have to get used to the idea of masks, at the very least.

Having an outdoor space will increase the likelihood of you being able to have some form of dancing, and maybe opens up the possibility of games?

Good luck!

At this time it’ll probably be hard to plan with out knowing the restrictions. I would say make a not so pleasant time around us into something a little fun to ease everyone tensions. If masks are required maybe offer personalized wedding masks or asking guests to come with their best masks. If you want something not so formal buy cheap masks & have a quick mask decorating table. I even saw somewhere they taped the dances into square to keep the distance & people had fun with it & made it a game. Just some ideas but I’m keeping my fingers crossed the pandemic with end soon. This is just a sad time for everyone.

View Quoted Comment I haven't heard anything from the venue yet regarding what will be required. I haven't asked yet since I know a lot will probably change in 3 months. I expressed my worry to our friends and they laughed and said any restrictions would be a sign of the times. They've been very supportive and have been trying to approach it in a fun way. We can't postpone due to craziness with our jobs making that difficult, plus we're in our 30s and ready for kids, AND I'm not sure how next year will look so I just want to have it and at least have some degree of control. If things keep going well for NY we.will be in phase 4 before August. They seem to be saying that outdoors are less risky for transmission that's why I was thinking of dancing outside? Hopefully things work out for us good luck to you

View Quoted Comment Thank you! It's funny you mention yard games because I was thinking about those as well!

View Quoted Comment Of course, definitely wasn’t trying to say your decision was a bad one at all. Sorry if it came off that way. Not sure what phase 4 means, I will have to look into it but sounds good. Not sure if my venue will allow the entire reception to be outside but it’s worth asking. Fingers crossed for you!

View Quoted Comment Not at all! And thank you! Phase 4 is when NY is allowing concerts and larger gatherings. There isn't much more info than that though but I'm happy I'll at least get to have my wedding lol. Good luck to.you too! Hopefully we'll get to enjoy our big days instead of feeling so stressed about them.

That sounds like a very good idea using the outdoor patio. But at the end of the day it’s still hard to avoid people in an intimate setting.

I honk some people won’t dance. And others won’t care. Speak with your dj/music person. Mine said, either way he’d make it fun.

Here in Ohio, they are allowing receptions June 1st but not dance floors allowed. I am hoping by August they do away with that restriction.

I think moving the dancing outside could really help! I think you'll have to talk to the venue though, because while you may not want to enforce social distancing or tell people to avoid each other, it really may not be up to you. It's the venue's liability as a business for not having and enforcing a policy that keeps people in line with the state regulations, so there could be venue staff telling people they have to stay apart. I love the outside dancing idea and the lawn games! You could also try inside entertainment like casino tables, a live event painter, one-person / household at a time Photo Booth, etc. Good luck!

View Quoted Comment Same here. I’m ready to try for kids next year and I don’t want to be pregnant and showing at my reception. I’ll be 32 next year. Also my parents are getting older and I don’t want to put special moments in hold, it’s my fear of something happening to them and I not get married or have them meet their grandchild.

I think it’s smart to have a back up plan now, while we wait to find out what different states are going to do by the end of summer. Our new date is September 5 here in Virginia. I’m hoping we are in our phase 3 by then, with no band on social gatherings.


Lawn games are a good idea, corn hole boards are easy to set up 10 feet apart and could work really easily. Same thing with horseshoes, although a similar concept.
I think just a blanket statement maybe on your wedding website if you have one, to let guests know it’s OK if they are not comfortable attending, or dancing, and that their presence is welcomed, and to take any precautions they feel necessary. I think as long as your event is following guidelines, it’s up to individuals to police themselves.

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You really think New York will be in Phase 4 by August? My fiance's family is from New York and they don't believe so. I also feel like a wedding without dancing is strange, even with social distancing. I'm in Maryland and waiting to postpone my August wedding. I don't want a wedding with restrictions like that. With restrictions like that personally to me it makes more sense to just do a small ceremony and reception later. But again its your decision and you're doing what is best for you. My friend is also having a wedding in New York at the end of July and the venue told her they are cancelling through September based on their stance of what will be allowed.

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Tara I read an article on that yesterday and that is part of what prompted me to ask this question ha! I am hopeful that if they are allowing gatherings of that size (I think in Ohio they’re going to allow up to 300 people?) that by August things will be better. I am also wondering if people could dance but not on the dance floor - kind of like when you’re in a bar standing with your friends and two of you start dancing while the rest chat? I’m sure it will work out either way. A lot has changed over the last couple of months and a lot will hopefully continue in a positive direction

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Leslie I love that! Great suggestion. My vendors have been really comforting during this time so talking to the DJ about this is a great idea

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Elizabeth great call and thank you so much! You’re absolutely right - I know some of it will be out of my hands. I wonder if placing large plants/something fun in the dance floor to keep people from congregating would be helpful hahah.

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100% with you on that one