My aim at such outdoor events is to have as many people participate as possible,
regardless of the size of the dance floor. In fact, if it's a party of 150-200
people, and it's going to be under a large tent, I encourage the wedding couple
not to get a dance floor if ours is the only dancing. Participants at such
events don't do a buzz step swing; they'll be just as happy to walk/hop around
their partner with an elbow swing. I'll call simple dances-- rarely any that are
actual contras in lines-- that allow maximum participation with minimum
instruction. Having the dance floor in the center can send the wrong message
that this is only for the few people who can squeeze onto that space.
And if that decision has already been made and there's a floor there, then
simple longways dances (such as Galopede) can and do extend off the floor
allowing many more to participate. A Sicilian circle such as Haste to the
Wedding can go all around the open space in the tent, crossing over the official
dance floor as needed but not limited to that space.
David Millstone
Lebanon, NH
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Another consideration is that if there is a raised dance floor, you
don't want people dancing near the edge where they might step/fall off
and twist an ankle or do something worse.