How to make a dance floor for outside wedding

Build Outdoor Dance Floor on Ground

If you're wondering how to build a dance floor on uneven ground, then consider this DIY dance floor option, the quick answer is you should check into portable dance floors from Greatmats.

One of the great advantages of portable DIY dance floors is that they can be used in many different locations, so you can literally take the dance floor with you. Whether you're setting up a dance floor for a special performance or need a dance floor for a wedding or other event, you may find yourself in search of flooring for dance that can be used outdoors.

DIY Dance floors are versatile, but they aren't all versatile enough to be used on grass. Grass poses a number of different challenges. First of all, you'll need an outdoor dance floor on uneven ground that can withstand moisture without being damaged. Secondly, outdoor use means that you'll need a floor that can withstand UV rays. This article can inform how to build a outdoor dance floor on uneven ground.

Don't worry, though - at Greatmats, we understand the importance of being able to install a DIY dance floor over grass. That's why we stock a number of suitable temporary dance floor products that can give you the versatility that you're looking for. This article can inform how to build a portable outdoor dance floor on uneven ground.

Necessary Features for A DIY Dance Floor on Uneven Ground or Grass

Waterproof Flooring: Make sure that any dance floor you consider for use on top of grass is fully waterproof. Even if you plan on covering the floor with a tent, there will still be moisture in the grass which a non-waterproof floor could absorb. We offer plenty of waterproof flooring options that are suitable for outdoor use.

As an added benefit, if you're working with waterproof flooring, it's no big deal if a guest spills a drink. Cleanup is easy.

If the ground is uneven, you'll need to provide a surface to help level it out before installing a dance floor, such as a waterproof composite mat system with strong interlocks. If you are confident that the ground won't get wet, simple plywood may do the trick to create a stable subsurface.

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UV Resistant Dance Flooring on Grass

Even a temporary outdoor dance floor on grass will be exposed to UV rays, which can cause your average flooring to fade, and possibly degrade the quality of the flooring over time. Look for a dance floor that has been treated for UV protection so that it can safely be exposed to the sun.

Portable DIY Dance Flooring

When you're working with a grass area, chances are you won't have a flat floor to wheel a flooring cart over. This means you'll need to carry the dance floor, so the portability of the floor is a major factor.

Modular dance flooring tiles are an ideal solution. These tiles are conveniently sized and easy to lift and carry, so even if you're installing the floor in a large field, getting the flooring into location won't be an issue. This will make installing the portable outdoor dance flooring on uneven ground or grass, and depending on the size of your floor, it's a task that a single individual can perform; no need for a professional installation. If you're attempting to install an outdoor dance floor over uneven ground, you may want to consider first laying down a layer of plywood, ground protection mats, or composite mats to level out the surface and prevent tiles from separating.

Easy DIY Dance Floor Installation

When you're working with tiles, you'll want a flooring product that connects together easily. Most of our tiles have a snap together or tab and loop closure design. Either of these systems is easy to use, and lets you quickly connect and disconnect tiles. This means you can quickly assemble the dance floor on grass, giving you plenty of time to finish with the rest of your event preparations.

Additional Tips for Choosing the Right Portable Dance Floor on Grass

We outlined a few specifications above about what to look for in a dance floor that will be installed on grass, but there are a few other tips you should know about choosing a dance floor for any event or venue.

Consider the type of shoes dancers will be wearing - Footwear, particularly high heels, can damage some types of dance flooring. Make sure you select a product that-s appropriate for what people will be wearing.
Think about the aesthetic that you want - Are you looking for a classic floor with a wood grain finish? Or is a more generic tile suitable for your needs?
How large of a dance floor on grass will you need - How many dancers will you have, and how large does your finished floor need to be? Remember, you can always add or remove tiles to customize the size and dimensions of your floor during different events.
Think about additional accessories you'll need, like ramped edges. Many of our products are available with ramped edges for safety, and for an overall clean finish.

Dance Floor on Grass - DIY Tile Options

Portable Dance Floor Tiles: Our Portable Dance Floor Tiles are versatile enough to be used both indoors and outdoors. These tiles are UV treated, so they'll resist fading when used outdoors. The tiles fit together tightly so you don't have to worry about them pulling apart while in use, and the commercial grade vinyl top surface is durable enough to hold up to serious dancing. Ramped border edging is available to create a clean, finished edge that is both safe and attractive.

One major benefit of these tiles is in their construction. The tiles themselves are built on a raised base, so air and moisture can circulate freely beneath the tile's surface. This helps to prevent water from working its way up to the actual dancing surface, even when the tiles are used outdoors.

Sized at 12x12 inches, these portable dance floor tiles are easy to handle and transport. You can vary the size of the floor by setting up just some or all of the tiles, and can also customize the floor's dimensions according to your needs. The tiles fit together quickly and easily, and you can assemble a 10x20-foot dance floor on grass in just minutes. They can be installed over grass, but note that they're only intended for temporary outdoor installations and do still require a hard, flat surface. Significant bumps, spongy ground and/or mud in you grassy surface can cause the installation to become difficult and/or uneven.

With a choice of eight different finishes, including six eye-catching wood grain options, you can have a beautiful floor suitable for any event.

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Portable Outdoor Floor Tiles

For a highly durable option, consider our Portable Outdoor Floor Tiles. These tiles are extremely strong, and can even support the weight of vehicles. While they don't offer the traditional wood grain finish of a dance floor, they are highly versatile, making them a great investment for event facilities.

These tiles are both waterproof and UV resistant, so they can be safely used outdoors. Their unique hinge system makes installation a breeze, as it quickly locks into place for a secure fit that won't separate during use. Measuring 3/4 inch thick, these tiles are made of a polypropylene plastic that is strong enough to easily support large crowds.

Perhaps the greatest benefit of these tiles is the fact that they can be used over many different existing surfaces, including uneven terrain. There's no worrying about finding a perfectly flat space, which will save you both time and stress. You can place these tiles directly on top of grass, and the tiles can even be rolled up for easy storage and a faster installation the next time. Just keep in mind that the tiles will, to a certain degree, conform to the ground it is sitting on, so you will not have a completely level dance floor on grass if the subsurface is uneven.

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Durable Dance Flooring Tile

Want a durable dance floor on grass with the look of real wood? Our ProCourt Gym Flooring Tiles offer you both. These tiles feature a generous 20-mil wear layer that is both scuff and stain resistant, ensuring the tiles continue to look great. Please note that these tiles aren't UV treated, and should only be used outdoors temporarily.

These tiles offer a raised flooring surface which will grip and accommodate grassy surfaces. They snap together easily for a fast installation, and are designed to withstand repeated installations.

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What You Need to Know About Installing a Dance Floor On Grass

While the above products are suitable for use as a portable outdoor dance flooring on uneven ground, it's important to realize that these products are only intended for temporary use. Don't leave them in place longer than necessary, and if possible, install a tent or find another way to protect the flooring from the weather, which will prolong its life.

When deciding where to install the dance floor, look for an area that is as flat and as level as possible. Installing the flooring on an uneven surface may make it difficult to get the tiles to connect correctly, and can place unnecessary stress on the tiles. It may also make the flooring itself uneven, and an uneven dance floor on grass can be dangerous for dancers.

You'll have the best results if you install the flooring over grass that has been mowed, since it will create a firmer, flatter surface than you'll have if you're working with grass that is longer. Placing a layer of plywood under any of these tiles will definitely help create a flatter, more stable and safer dance surface as well.

When it comes time to uninstall the flooring, try to do so when the flooring is thoroughly dry. If the weather isn't cooperating, then dismantle the flooring and allow it to dry indoors before stacking it and storing it away in a closed space, like a closet.

Most of our dance flooring tiles are designed to be easy to clean, but be sure to review the specifications for the particular product that you purchase. In most cases, you can damp mop the floor with a household cleanser.

Please don't hesitate to contact our great customer service team if you have any questions as you explore our many outdoor dance floor options.

Creating an Outdoor Wedding Dance Floor Using Tiles

For those who love the simple and charming idea of having a wedding and reception in the backyard, in a park or on the beach, trying to figure out how to make an outdoor wedding dance floor may be the only thing that’s holding the event back. Creating a plan to set up the flooring for the dance after the wedding can involve a few different designs.

Those hosting the wedding could try to rent outdoor wedding flooring for the reception and dance, but this isn’t always the best alternative. It can be hard to find the right size and quality of floors for rent on the exact date and time for the wedding. If the event will happen in the busiest wedding season in the summer, finding rentals can be nearly impossible.

Purchasing the materials required for outdoor wedding flooring may represent the better idea, as the hosts can pick the perfect size to handle all of the people being invited.

With a rental, there may be a limit of 20x40 feet or less, which can be extremely cramped and small for an event with dozens of guests. With a purchased outdoor wedding flooring option, any size is available.

The rental floor also may have more than one decal to promote the rental company stuck to it, which may detract from the overall look of the decor the designer is trying to achieve.

If the wedding and reception will be underneath a tent, this may affect the length and width of the flooring layout. With a rental, the precise dimensions may not be adjustable, leaving a portion of the flooring outside the tent’s coverage. With a purchase, where the installer controls the precise width and length of the layout, fitting the floor under the tent is not a concern.

As an additional benefit of making a purchase, the flooring will always be available for any type of event in the future. Having temporary portable backyard flooring for events such as graduations, anniversary parties, birthdays, and neighborhood get-togethers, as well as for weddings, will be extremely beneficial over the long run.

How Do You Start With Laying Out an Outdoor Wedding Dance Floor?

Before choosing the style of dance floor you want to have available at the wedding, it’s important to consider ideas for the base material. A sturdy base allows the outdoor wedding dance floor to go over almost any type of ground, including grass, dirt, sand, or gravel, creating a firm area that’s safe for dancing.

Using firm tiles as a base layer will create a floor that’s appropriate for almost any kind of dancing at the reception. It will protect the wedding party and guests from coming into contact with any dirt or mud in the area as well, importantly keeping the wedding dress clean and looking like new.

Next, think about the size of the space to use for the outdoor wedding flooring for the dance. As a general guide, assume that about one-third of all of the guests at the reception will be dancing at any one time. (If the average age of the guests is younger than typical, assume closer to 40% of guests will be dancing at one time. )

Assume that each guest will need about 5 square feet of space to dance. Using these calculations should help those hosting the event to determine the ideal space to create for the dance floor.

What Are Some DIY Options for Creating a Base Layer for Outdoor Floors?

To save time and money when putting on a wedding in the backyard, having a flooring that’s easy to assemble and disassemble without the need to hire a professional is important.

One popular option is the White Matrax Light Duty Pedestrian Composite Mats product. These tiles consist of an extremely firm polyethylene plastic, which allows the dance floor to provide the necessary support for people walking and dancing across it.

Each tile uses a series of connector pins to tie into the adjacent tile, which makes the layout of these pieces a DIY-possible project. Installers will not need to add any adhesive to the tiles to create a secure connection.

An individual tile covers 16 square feet, measuring 4 by 4 feet, which speeds up the layout process. This is important when setting up for an event like a large wedding, where it always seems like the setup time is never quite long enough to do everything perfectly. The less time spent doing the outdoor wedding flooring build, the more time for the hosts to focus on other aspects of the event setup.

For those events where a dance floor is not necessary, these tiles can go directly over the grass, creating a sitting area for the ceremony or for tables. The tiles have small drainage holes that extend through the entire 1.5-inch thickness of the material, allowing any rain to drain away, rather than pooling on the surface.

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For a different color in the tiles, the Gray Matrax Light Duty Pedestrian Composite Mats product is available. It uses the same connector pin system to create the secure fit in the flooring, and it also has drainage holes that allow it to work in all kinds of weather.

The water drainage holes do not affect the integrity of the base layer. They will not affect the ability to lay a dance floor over the top of the tiles either.

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With the Matrax tiles, each unit weighs about 30 pounds, which may make it beneficial to have two or more people available to help install the large squares. For a set of tiles that are smaller and that weigh less, consider the Portable Outdoor Tile product.

Each of these tiles measures 1 by 1 foot and weighs less than 1 pound. The Made-in-America tiles measure only 3/4 inches in thickness, which further simplifies the installation process for one person. Each tile connects to the others through an interlocking tab and slot system on the edges.

These tiles will fit over almost any kind of outdoor surface, including sand, gravel, and grass, while providing a firm base for an outdoor wedding dance floor.

The durable no-break polypropylene plastic can stand up to all kinds of foot traffic, while maintaining its integrity. Even if the surface underneath the tile installation has slight undulations. When used as a base for an outdoor dance floor, these tiles should be installed over a surface that is already pretty flat as the hinging seams will adjust some to fit the subsurface. Once the installer connects these tiles, they will give users a firm surface on which a portable dance floor can be installed.

With drainage holes that extend through the entire thickness of the tile, there are no concerns about rain water pooling on the surface of the tiles.

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What Floors Work Well for Outdoor Wedding Flooring Dance Surfaces Without a Tent?

Once the base layer is ready to go, installers can place a dance floor surface over the top. If the outdoor wedding dance floor layout will occur in an area exposed to sunlight and weather, the EZ Portable Dance Floor product is an excellent choice.

The UV resistant vinyl top layer sits on a waterproof plastic base. The vinyl layer has a faux wood grain look, which is ideal for a natural looking dance floor. Color stain options include:

Cherry
Maple
Dark oak
Light oak
Walnut

The plastic base carries the interlocking edge, which ensures the 1 by 1 foot tiles will remain tightly connected, even when placed under the stress of multiple people walking and dancing on them.

The vinyl layer can handle any kind of shoes that people attending the wedding will be wearing, including high heels. The manufacturer offers a 5-year limited warranty on these tiles.

When disassembling the tiles, we recommend leaving 3 by 3 foot sections connected, rather than disassembling each individual tile, if storage space is available for the larger sections. During the next installation, the assembly process will go far faster with the 3x3 sections already assembled.

These Made-in-America tiles contain both water and UV protection, which allows their use in areas exposed to the weather. However, do not leave these tiles in place for an extended period of time where they will receive constant weather exposure as they are not designed for long term outdoor use. Disassemble and place these tiles into storage soon after the event finishes.

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What Floors Are Best for a Dance Floor Underneath a Tent?

Installers certainly could use the EZ tiles mentioned earlier in areas where a tent will provide weather protection for the dance flooring for the wedding reception, but tents also open the door to other options as well.

With a tent available, installers also can choose the Portable Dance Floor Wood Grain 3x3 Foot product. (For those installers who need to cover a larger space, the Portable Dance Floor Wood Grain 3x4 Foot product is also available.) Neither of these products has a waterproof or UV resistant design, which necessitates the use of a tent or another type of weather protection.

These products represent commercial quality dance floor surfaces that can stand up to almost anything. The individual panels connect to each other using a cam lock design that ensures they will stay tightly in place for the entire event. Installers only need one type of tool to assemble the tiles, meaning it can be a DIY job for the majority of people.

The vinyl layer sits atop a sturdy plywood core layer, yielding a highly durable flooring for the wedding reception. As the installer assembles the individual panels, they will go together without any noticeable seams, which is an important benefit for the look of the flooring.

As the perfect finishing touch, the customer can select a ramped border edge to place around the perimeter of the layout. These silver trim border pieces sit at an 11-degree angle upon installation, which reduces the possibility of a tripping hazard for those entering or exiting the dance floor at the reception.

The faux wood grain color options for these panels include:

American plank
Dark oak
Dark walnut
Elegant oak
Light beech
Stone pine
Tropical beech
Warm cherry

Customers also may be able to select an all-white or all-black color in the panels for a unique look in the dance flooring at the wedding.

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What special effects can be used at a wedding? NEVESTA.MOSCOW

To get an answer to the question "What opportunities are there now in the pyrotechnics and special effects industry?", we turned to Andrey Kobzar, the head of a company that organizes visual support for most large projects in the wedding industry.

Heavy smoke

This is one of the most common types of special effects. According to the principle of obtaining heavy smoke, it is correct to call it steam, and the smoke generator is called a steam generator. It is simply impossible to feel it in the air. Heavy smoke has a white color, spreads near the floor, does not rise up, quickly dissipates, does not leave behind smell and traces. It quickly disappears after the generator stops supplying it.

This effect is most often used to add romance to the right moment. In addition, it plays an important role for successful photographs: it hides the bright floor in banquet halls, electrical and other switching, and is additionally illuminated with the necessary light. Most often, heavy smoke is used at exit registration, at the first appearance of the newlyweds in front of the guests, photo shoots at the welcome committee, during the first dance and the dance of the bride and dad, taking out the cake, during the highlights of the show program, creative surprises from the guests.

Andrey Kobzar, head of the company. During the first dance, the music begins to play and the dance floor is covered with smoke almost immediately. The couple goes out to dance, and the smoke covers the floor for 3 to 5 minutes. It depends on how powerful the smoke needs to be. At the end of the dance or at some culminating moment, fiery fountains of silver sparks light up behind the dancing couple, beating up 2-3 m. During the entire dance, artificial snow can slowly fall - to make it more romantic and beautiful.

Cryogun

The cryogun is capable of creating columns of white smoke from 4 to 8 meters high. The liquid fraction of carbon dioxide, which comes out of the gun under pressure, cools the surrounding air, turning the humidity of the air into frost, which gives the gas jet a white color, which, due to the right light, can also be “colored”. Such smoke also has no smell at all. The cryo gun is used for the spectacular appearance of the newlyweds and during the show program. They are stationary (mounted on the floor or suspended) and manual (smaller, cryoblaster). Stationary guns are mounted before the start of the event and can no longer be moved to another place during the event. When ordering cryo guns, you can count on launching columns of white smoke with a total duration of about 40 seconds. It can be 20 runs of 2 seconds, 10 runs of 4, and so on.

Light smoke

Such smoke fills the entire space of the hall, forming a light haze. Light smoke is much cheaper than heavy smoke, because its production does not require a long time to warm up, while its supply can be almost constant. There are devices with a smoke cooling function, then the smoke spreads along the floor without rising up, but it is still rather not thick, but heavy. In addition, it has a specific smell. And also, unlike heavy smoke-steam, light smoke is obtained by burning a glycerin-containing substance and is smoke in its pure form, so fire detectors that do not respond to powerful puffs of heavy smoke confidently signal in the presence of even a small amount of light.

Confetti

Confetti equipment is very diverse, and there are several types of confetti delivery: pneumatic (barrels with cans and compressors), blown electric, blown with a gas cylinder (blasters), hanging spreaders. Depending on the scale and area of the hall, confetti cannons of different power are used. In addition, confetti comes in different shapes, sizes and colors, and can even dissolve in water. At various events, the most commonly used confetti are rectangular or round. But "rose petals", hearts or flowers are the best fit for the theme of the wedding celebration, so the choice of brides often falls on them.

Snow

Snow is a type of confetti that can be classified as a separate category. It is melting and non-melting. The second type is paper squares 1 * 1 cm and cellulose grains. Artificial snow is fed in small portions to create the effect of a light snow blizzard. Thanks to the large number of options for confetti machines, this effect can be created in almost any hall in any place. Melting is obtained using special generators that run on the "artificial snow" liquid. It is very realistic, and therefore can leave not only vivid impressions, but also a slippery floor and marks on clothes. Cellulose grains visually resemble snow as much as possible, but are very strongly electrified.

Cold Fountains

This professional stage pyrotechnics is designed to accompany various events and concerts on large stages with special effects. It looks like a sheaf of bright sparks, beating upwards from the nozzle of a pyrotechnic charge. All charges are designed for a certain height and duration of work. It has a number of restrictions on its use in banquet halls and restaurants, and after its use, smell and smoke remain. Since this is the most dangerous effect in terms of fire safety among all of the above, its use requires the presence of a professional pyrotechnician on site. Fountains can be fixed strictly vertically, or they can be mounted at various angles.

Cold fountains can be of various colors, but the brightest of them is silver. When ordering, you need to remember that the more fountains or the duration of their burning, the stronger the smell from their work. Therefore, in small rooms it is better to limit the number of pyrotechnic charges, combining them with special effects that are more gentle on the health and comfort of guests, such as heavy smoke, confetti and cryoguns.

In addition to fountains running vertically upwards, firefalls occur on large concert venues - a sheaf of sparks beats from top to bottom. For this, waterfall candles and the same fountains are used. Firefalls are designed for use in huge concert halls or outdoor venues, their use in restaurants and banquet halls requires special safety precautions and the work of pyrotechnicians with extensive experience with these charges. Therefore, in order to comply with fire safety requirements, specialists use ordinary pyrotechnic fountains in their work, reducing the height of such a firefall and increasing its cost.

Imitation flame

Imitation of artificial fire is used as an alternative to real fire, where it is better not to use "live" fire for one reason or another. This is an airfountain - a design with constant air blowing, illuminated by a searchlight of the color you need at the moment. In other words, the design is a fan, from the action of which the fabric flutters. Such a “flame” can be used both indoors and outdoors, and the air fountain can work indoors without interruption.

Wedding professional:

Special effects:

9 ways to make wedding guests dance all evening

1. Warm up the guests

It is best to start preparing guests for the dance without stopping in advance. As soon as the first cocktail is sipped, you can start "warming up". A light lounge or jazz will do just fine for him. In general, any music can sound. The most important thing is that guests do not chew snacks in complete silence.

2. Make the perfect dance floor

On a cramped and uncomfortable dance floor, few people want to dance; a dance floor that is too spacious will also confuse guests. It is best if each couple can have three square meters of space. Let's say if you have 150 guests, then the dance floor should be 15x15 meters in size.

A dance floor in the very center of the banquet hall is a great solution. Guests will immediately understand that dancing will be an important part of the program at this celebration.

3. Seating the guests correctly

People who love to dance are best seated very close to the dance floor. Hearing the first groovy rhythms, they will be the first to start dancing. More modest guests, seeing this, will relax and join the dancers. Elderly guests should be placed away from the dance floor. They will surely thank you for it.

Don't turn the music up too loud. Of course, the guests need to come off to the fullest, but they should also have the opportunity to talk.

4. Trust the professionals

Don't skimp on a professional DJ. This person will not only spin the discs, but also make sure that none of the guests get bored. He will be able to pick up good music that will appeal to everyone. The bride and groom have better things to do than play the role of an entertainer, don't they?

See also: What is better for a wedding - a DJ or "live music"?

5. Consider the tastes of all

Consider the musical tastes of the guests. Perhaps you yourself love rap, but do your guests share such addictions? The same applies to the hits of the 1980s, as well as hard rock or country. To some, such music will seem like a mournful stream of sounds, and to someone it will be completely annoying. You need to make sure that none of the guests remain offended. Assorted, consisting of popular genres, will completely solve this problem.

Ask your loved ones (don't forget the older generation) and friends about what kind of music they would like to hear. Let every guest have the opportunity to dance with pleasure.

6. Create a stop list

Do not be lazy and make a so-called stop list for musicians and DJs. It should include compositions that in no case should be played at a banquet. Even one single unloved song can beat off all the desire to dance. However, you shouldn’t be too categorical either: you don’t need to stand over the soul of a DJ while mixing tracks.

7. Don't delay the first dance

Traditionally, the first dance at the wedding is danced by the young. Even if it is simply delicious, it does not need to be tightened. Pay attention to the duration of the soundtrack to which you will dance. It is better not to turn the invitees into indifferent spectators for a long time. If the composition lasts more than five minutes, in the middle of the dance, draw guests into the circle - so they will not get bored. Your first dance should be remembered by guests as romantic and touching, not lasting forever.