First Dance Smoke – The facts
We get a lot of people asking about the first dance ‘smoke’ that lies on the ground. This is becoming a query we get even more often as some fabulous venues in the area now offer this – Newton Hall, Runa Farm, LPC to name a few.
However, as a mobile DJ it really isn’t something we can offer – although many claim too!
The Facts
What you are really looking for is a ‘Dry Ice Machine’. Nothing else at all currently on the market comes close to the effect produced by a Dry Ice Machine.
Many will try and fluff it up by calling it other names – ie dancing on the clouds – but no matter what it is called it is important to ensure what you are hiring is a DRY ICE MACHINE.
As with anything to do with weddings, the market gets swamped with inferior imitations which people try to jump on. There are smoke machines out there which WILL produce the same effect BUT as soon as anyone walks through it, or a slight draught, the effect is the same as a normal smoke machine – and yes it WILL set off fire alarms.
The Differences
Haze, Smoke, Low Lying Fog and Dry Ice Machines are the 4 basic options.
Haze – this creates a very fine mist. Used correctly with a ‘good’ haze machine it is usually safe for use with smoke detectors in the room, however most venues will still not allow their use
Smoke Machines – the good old fashion machine which makes lighting effects look a million times better. Unfortunately, these are not allowed in most venues and often people with chest or breathing problems can find the smoke affects them
Low Lying Fog – this is basically a smoke machine, but using a little trickery keeps the smoke low down. That is until someone walks through it or there is a slight draught. Even if it does work, the smoke still has to rise and can easily set off fire alarms.
Dry Ice Machines – as mentioned above, this is what you want for that special first dance effect. This uses dry ice pellets and safe to use where fire alarms are present. A fantastic effect.
The Consequences
Booking the wrong machine/service will mean you have wasted your money – something isn’t cheap if you cannot use it. For the real first dance ‘on the cloud effects’ it will cost a bit, however the dry ice alone is expensive without considering machine costs, operator costs etc.
Using a Low-Lying Fog Machine will result in the effect looking the same as a normal smoke machine by the end of your first dance, that is if it hasn’t set off the fire alarms
We do not have Dry Ice Machines – as mentioned logistically we cannot supply this (dry ice has to be posted out and with working delivery can be difficult) and firmly believe that, as with everything, booking a professional is the best, and safest, advice. Please do contact us and we can direct you to a supplier closest to your venue.
There are some alternatives etc but not widely used in the DJ/Wedding market – more specific for theatre etc so you may be offered a viable solution that is not Dry Ice.
NOTE: We DO class the venues mentioned earlier as professional and they have the knowledge, machines, facilities to provide this service to a high standard.
