Thursday weddings are less common than weekend celebrations, but this week we travelled to Stonehouse Court in Gloucestershire to install a black starlit dance floor for an intimate midweek wedding.

The couple had booked a 12ft × 12ft floor for approximately 40 guests in the hotel’s Caroline Suite.

Why choose a black starlit dance floor?

White starlit dance floors remain the most frequently requested option for weddings, but they are certainly not the only choice.

A black starlit dance floor creates a completely different look. The dark surface provides a strong contrast against a lighter wedding room, while the small LED lights still give the floor its familiar sparkle.

The couple had arranged their DJ and some other elements through the hotel’s regular supplier. However, they specifically wanted a black starlit floor, which is not as widely available as the traditional white version.

We regularly supply both black and white starlit dance floors, so we were able to provide exactly the style they wanted without the couple having to compromise.

Setting up in the Caroline Suite

We arrived at Stonehouse Court at approximately 6pm, shortly after the wedding breakfast had finished.

One of the biggest variables with an evening dance floor installation is how quickly the room can be prepared. Wedding breakfasts sometimes overrun, and hotel staff have a considerable amount of work to do when transforming a dining room into an evening reception space.

On this occasion, everything ran almost exactly to time.

The staff at Stonehouse Court were extremely helpful. They prioritised clearing the area needed for the dance floor and DJ before moving the remaining tables, allowing both suppliers to begin setting up promptly.

Access to the Caroline Suite is also particularly convenient. We could park close to the entrance, with only a few steps between the van and the installation area. Easy access makes a considerable difference when unloading and carrying multiple dance floor panels into a venue.

A few familiar faces

It was also one of those installations where the local events industry felt surprisingly small.

When I entered the room, I immediately recognised the DJ, Dave. Many years ago, when we also supplied DJs, he completed some DJ work for us. It had been quite a while since we had last seen one another.

The wedding photographer was from Grace Studios, another familiar supplier I had not seen for several years.

Catching up with people naturally meant that this was not one of my quickest installations, but that wasn’t a problem. The room was ready, the suppliers worked comfortably alongside one another and there was a relaxed atmosphere throughout the setup.

Once completed, the 12ft × 12ft black starlit floor was well proportioned for both the Caroline Suite and the number of guests attending.

A choreographed first dance

We later heard that the bride and groom had prepared a choreographed first dance.

Unfortunately, I wasn’t there to see or film it, but a choreographed routine must have looked particularly effective against the illuminated black floor.

The finished dance floor was photographed at the beginning of the evening, while it was freshly installed and ready for the first dance. We also took some photographs when we returned for collection, providing an honest view of how the floor looked at both ends of the hire.

A midnight collection

Collection was arranged for midnight. I arrived a few minutes early, just as the DJ was playing the final song.

Only a small number of guests remained by then, but that is not particularly unusual for an intimate Thursday wedding. It had also been a beautiful, warm summer day, and during hot weather guests often naturally spend more time outside enjoying the evening rather than remaining inside a warm function room.

That can make it more challenging for any DJ to keep a dance floor continually busy, particularly at a smaller midweek celebration.

The floor was still remarkably clean and took approximately 15 minutes to dismantle and load into the van. I then spent considerably longer chatting with Dave than I had spent collecting the floor!

Afterwards, it was around a 40-minute drive back to our unit. By the time the van had been parked securely and I had travelled home, it was approximately 2.30am.

Dance floor hire at Stonehouse Court

Stonehouse Court is a lovely Gloucestershire wedding venue with helpful staff, convenient supplier access and a Caroline Suite that works well with a separate temporary dance floor.

For a wedding of approximately 40 guests, the 12ft × 12ft floor provided a suitable dedicated area without overwhelming the room. For larger celebrations, the suite can also accommodate a larger dance floor where the room layout and guest numbers make it appropriate.

Black starlit floors are requested less frequently than white ones, but they can provide an attractive alternative for couples who want something a little different.

If you are planning a wedding at Stonehouse Court or another venue in Gloucestershire, contact Just Dance Floors to discuss the most suitable dance floor style and size for your celebration.