12 Sangeet Dance Decisions To Really Rock The Music Night

The Sangeet dance sequences are the highlight of every wedding. Whether they are professionally choreographed or impromptu, they heighten the wedding excitement and bring a sense of fun and joy. With most couples opting for a combined Sangeet ceremony, it becomes a great way for the two families to get to know each other, enjoy themselves and revel in the excitement of the wedding that awaits.

Every Sangeet dance must have two things in common - songs that depict emotions and people who add to these emotions. That’s why planning for the Sangeet dance sequences requires great thought. It’s not just another Cocktail evening or a DJ night where everyone just moves to blaring music; in fact, it’s a day to celebrate the love between the soon-to-be-married couple through dance, music and some fun.

The Sangeet Dance Sequences:

Here is a list of all the Sangeet dance decisions you need to make right now:

1. The People Involved

While you may have a long and endless guestlist for the Sangeet ceremony, not everyone will be a part of the Sangeet dance sequences. The Sangeet dance is performed by close friends and family who are and have been a part of the couple’s journey. This includes the parents, siblings, cousins, best friends and close uncles and aunts.

Once you make a list of all the people you want to be a part of the Sangeet dance sequences you can further categorise them into groups.

2. Create Groups

Now that you know who all will be performing the Sangeet dance sequences it’s time to put them in groups. You can use a person or certain people in multiple groups too. For example, the bridesmaids could have a performance with the bride and another one with the groomsmen. Similarly, the couple could do a duo performance as well as a group performance with their siblings.

3. Solo Performers

Every family has at least one person who was born to dance. You could plan for a solo Sangeet dance performance for this dancer in the family to show off some moves and skills. The bride could also work with a choreographer and rehearse a solo performance.

4. Songs

Put on your creativity hats for this one. The right songs add to the meaning and emotions being depicted in a Sangeet dance performance. The bride dancing to Banno Tera Swagger with her bridesmaids will always be more meaningful than dancing to a song that has got nothing to do with weddings.

Similarly, the mother and aunts of the bride dancing to Banno Re Banno will evoke those beautiful sentiments that every mother of the bride feels. The songs thus play a very important role in how the performance impacts the audience.

5. Budget

Before we move ahead, it’s time to set aside a budget that you are willing to spend for the Sangeet dance sequences. There is no limit to how much you can spend, what’s important is that you work around a set budget, so you don’t end up burning your pockets.

6. Choreographer

If you have budgeted for a wedding choreographer, it’s time to start finding one that fits within your budget. You can ask friends who may have hired some professionals and do online research to find capable choreographers around you. Set meetings and get to know the choreographer to set expectations right at both ends from the very start.

This process should start at least two months before the wedding, so you have enough time to book a choreographer, practice and get everyone on the same boat.

7. Rehearsals

It may not be as easy as it sounds to get everyone at one place to rehearse the Sangeet dance sequences. You may need to book a studio that is easily accessible for everyone or get together at someone’s house that has enough space. If some of the people involved are in other cities or countries, you could record the practice sessions, so they can watch and learn, or just get on a video call.

8. Couple Dance

Everyone in the audience will wait with bated breath to watch the couple dance together and give a memorable Sangeet dance performance. No pressure! Pick songs that tell your love story or songs that both of you connect on.

Practice and just let yourself lose. You don’t have to be a phenomenal dancer if you dance with a spring in your heart.

9. Theme/Story

Having a theme for your Sangeet dance sequences or creating a story around them will keep the audience gripped. For example, each Sangeet dance sequence could depict a different chapter from the couple’s love story or a different phase of life of theirs. You could also have a theme like a dance-off between the bride’s side and the groom’s side or a game theme where both sides challenge one another to dance on impromptu dance songs.

10. Scale

The Sangeet dance sequences are also dependent on the scale of the event. If you are throwing a large scale Sangeet function, the Sangeet dance sequences could have all the different lighting, props and even costumes. For a low key and pocket-friendly Sangeet dance performance, you could just put on your music and speakers and move with the music.

11. Pick worthy inspirations

Image courtesy: Priyanka Chopra on Instagram

It's time to take notes for your epic Sangeet dance. This means a lot of films, Bollywood scenes worthy of shaking a leg, Instagram and YouTube, besides the functions for your favourite celebrities. Apart from catching the latest social media trends (did you get the Lipdub videos and the bride who got her whole Shaadi clicked in Boomerang mode), you will see and bookmark a lot of things that you just might want for your own days.

You could choose Sangeet dance backdrops, moves, songs, dresses and more this way, alongside some awe-worthy moments. We would recommend catching the latest Bollywood weddings too, including Priyanka Chopra's marriage to Nick Jonas.

12. Check on tech support

Image courtesy: The Wedding Story

Last, check the tech. Seriously, you do not want this to go wrong for your Sangeet dance lineup. Apart from adequate backup and power to the sound systems, get the deck checked on audio output. You'd also want the wedding DJ to have a roster of your songs and remember when's when for the right lineup.

You would also want to have a backup system in place - even if that's just your iPhone and a mic. Believe us, if something goes awry, then even this basic addition would provide a lot of saving grace.

Wedding planning is crazy, agreed, but sorting out things with checklists and moving forward one step at a time makes it a breeze. Everyone has a different concept of fun and excitement, make sure your Sangeet ceremony captures that. Right from the decor to the food, the venue to the Sangeet dance performances, everything will add to the vibe of the ceremony and make it memorable. The Sangeet dance sequences are a great way to express the many emotions that are felt by the friends, family and the couple themselves. What better way to say how you feel than with music?

Don’t wait till the last minute to plan the Sangeet dance performances. Start early to put on a good show. Once you are done considering and sorting out these 10 key points, you are all set to throw the craziest and most memorable Sangeet dance ceremony. It’s a ceremony that is all about dance, music, drinks, food and of course family - make it exciting.

What are you going to do to make your Sangeet dance ceremony exciting?