I have a wedding comming up, where I will be doing an Anniversary Dance. I know how an anniversary dance works, for those who don't... You play a slow song, invite all the married couples to the dance floor...After a little bit you ask anyone married less than a year to leave the floor...then a little later anyone married less than 5 years... then 10...etc.. untill only one couple is left.
My question to anyone who has done these dances before is...What do you do if the last 2 or 3 couples all leave at once? Say you were at 20 years, and you had three couples left. Then you asked anyone less than 25 years to leave and all the couples leave the floor! What do you do? Do you call them back out and start going in smaller increments? Any tips would be great!

I would call that last group back and let them finish it together. Have a good time and get the crowd to applaud all of them.

Having had this happen I did just what Marty said. You can break it up into 1 or 2 yr. if you want. I would judge that by how long it took to get to that point(I don't like to drag it out to long) After I get my final couple (or 2-3 whatever) I always ask them if they would like to give some advice to the newleyweds on their secret to making it last. It can be interesting and sometimes quite funny(esp. the mens thoughts!) Anyway this is what I like to do.

- ircoach

I like that idea, about asking them their secret. I might have to use that. I guess I will have to call them back if this happens and go by smaller increments, because the bride wants to give the bouquet to the last remaining couple, so I have to narrow it down to one.

So last remaining gets the bouquet huh? Interesting, guess this is done instead of traditionak bouguet toss. Gotta suggest that when i talk to the brides during planning, Thats a neat alternative to the traditional toss. THANKS,for heads up planet.

- ircoach

That is a pretty cool idea. Haven't seen that done here (NY). But, a nice twist on tradition. Which, I think, some weddings need.

Since we're on the topic of Anniversary dances...

I have done a few gigs where it was completely (the whole dance was) FOR the anniversary couple...like they were celebrating 40 years together.

So, I'm wondering what your thoughts are on making the entire dance special for these kinds of gigs. Like what do you do/say throughout the dance to keep the focus on them, anything fun you do, etc.???

BTW, I have a few Anniversary dances coming up this year and any input would be greatly appreciated! Thanks .

Yea, I wish I could take credit for it, but it was the couples idea. That doesn't mean I won't suggest it in the future to couples wanting an alternative to the bouquet tossing.

Oh, here's anohter question, any of you have some good ideas for an anniversary dance song?

Garth Brooks - The Dance
Kenny Rogers - Through The Years
Kenny Chesney - Me And You
Spiral Staircase - More Today Than Yesterday(may be a little to pop, but like to work it in)
Kenny Rogers & Dolly Pardon - Islands In The Stream
Journey - Faithfully
Al Green - Let's Stay Together
Also check out Luther Vandross, Lionel Richie, Peabo Bryson, The Impressions, The Temptations.
Just a start, Hope it helps some.

- ircoach

lionel ritchie and diana ross- endless love

god i love that song it is a great song for couples

Those are good suggestions. An absolute, must-have, is the "Anniversary Waltz" (Eddie Howard's rendition of this Bing Crosby tune). An oldie, but terrific song to celebrate the married folks.

Great ideas! Thanks!

I always start with "Through The Years" and make sure to end with "Unforgetable". You want to make sure you play songs that the older couples will still want to dance to. Others include.
What a wonderful world-Louis Armstrong
Can I Have This Dance-Anne Murray