Worried people won't dance? Russian/American wedding?

An open bar and good DJ will likely get people dancing.

Part of my family is Ukrainian and I can relate to this, the older generations do not dance...the younger generations do, especially if Ukrainian punk music is playing.

Yes, we'll have open bar!! Thank you guys, a pretty large number of our guests are between ages 20-30, so hopefully they'll party!

Open bar plus DJ plus Saturday minus religious objections = DANCING. I'm sure it'll be fine!

FH and his family moved to America from Russia in the 90s. His guest list is primarily Russian family - around 40 Russian Guests - and they DANCE.

We're having some traditional Russian music (we're providing it to our DJ), and we're also going to do the hora (Jewish chair dance) which always gets his family out on the floor.

We go to Ukrainian festival each year - FH's and his family were from what is now Ukraine, but it was USSR and they identify as Russian - and there is always lots of fun dancing at that too.

This may be a family thing as much as a Russian/Ukrainian thing - if his family isn't comfortable dancing - you might be out of luck making it the party you're imagining, However - they may just need it to be their type of party/music/dancing to let loose.

We are having the same issue! FH was born in Ukraine and also said no one on his side of the family will dance either! He's actually never been to a wedding that had a DJ or dancing.

Linds, its not everyday I find more Jewish Ukrainian-Russians, between this and the Pats come back tonight I might need to get a lotto ticket. I agree its likely a family thing, the older generations on that side of my family are introverts.

Maybe put on the RSVP card a line that says "we will dance if DJ plays ---" ?? Or something like that. That way you can be sure to include songs that they at least want to hear and help the party mood

@Ali - no - I don't meet many that aren't related to FH at all. Planning a wedding trying to make everyone feel included and incorporating Russian/Ukrainian and Jewish traditions has been a challenge for me. I'm neither Russian nor Jewish - and FH is wonderful, and clueless. He can't give me any details about tradition, culture, and religion.

I'm super scared about his family drinking and partying, and then picking me up in a chair... I think I'll skip lotto tickets and save every ounce of love between now and then for that!

Ukrainian Russian here- and that’s nonsense - they dance so much. Plus Jews dance like crazy. And the chair thing is sooooooo much fun!!!!! Bring the vodka and add some older Russian song and you’ll have solid dancing.