Adrenaline shoots through the crowd as the flame leaps up from a single torch, poised to light up multiple props, and illuminating the performers who must now control the very real fire through dance. Kids and adults alike are mesmerized by the fun and excitement emerging onto your dance floor as the dancers weave fire and music together to commemorate your special day.
With all the myriad of options you have to spruce up your event, we believe that fire dancing remains one of the most exciting and unique forms of live entertainment you can find. Fire dancing can be done indoors and outdoors, depending on the venue, time of year and style choice.
You can also incorporate a custom fire photoshoot into your engagement photos, your on-the-day photos and even post wedding photographs for a very special flair in your captured memories! Check out our info on post-wedding photoshoots, which have become popular in recent years.
We consider live fire performing to fall under 3 categories: stage style show, dance floor show, and ambient style performing. Each one has its own benefits and things to consider.
Stage Style
Dancers are on a stage or risers and usually the show is designed to look its best front facing. The audience is all on one side.
Pros: feels big and exciting, sightlines are generally good
Cons: the stage needs to be relatively clear, so if there is a band, you might need to work around setup/teardown or if there are speeches, you might need to move a podium, etc.
Dance Floor Style
Performers are on the dance floor and there can be audience on 2, 3 or all 4 sides. If you know the floor plan in advance sharing it with the performing company can really help their planning
Pros: you can have a larger show that feels more interactive
Cons: It could be harder for people in the back to see if it’s at floor level. One side is always the “Back” for orientation of choreography so if you have people on all 4 sides, keep in mind which way you prefer them to be facing, for the guests, for the cameras or for the Bride/Groom etc..
Fire Greeters (Ambient Style)
This is where you have fire dancers stationed outside your entrance, which can be at the doors to the reception, at the beginning of a trail or parking lot, or even inside your reception area, the lobby or the dance floor: setting a mood, and dancing to whatever music you have already but not putting on a choreographed stage show.
Pros: less real estate in your schedule, more flexible, longer overall burn time
Cons: not a feature show if that is what you are looking for
General Considerations
Outdoors
If there is a tent, the height of the roof
Hanging fabric or flowers around the area
Floor or ground space provided for show
Fire can be bigger!
Far less constraints if it’s on open grounds
Fire shows can be done rain, shine or snow!
Do you need weather options for your guests?
Indoors
Air flow
Ceiling height
Sensitivity of smoke and heat detectors
Size of performance
Size of dance floor
Designated space clear of paper and cords
This includes transient confetti, money, etc.
Preparation time taken into account
Outdoor fire shows can be bigger, with more props and less smoke consideration. Indoor fire shows create a more intimate setting, as your guests watch this wild element be tamed inside over dinner. Hotel detectors can be especially sensitive, so make sure to check that your venue allows for fire inside. If they don’t, you can always keep the fire alive by choosing fire greeters to guide your guest from their parking to the entrance with a warm fiery welcome. This is considered an ambient set, not a show, and can involve a longer time frame, set to whatever music you have already there.
Safety
Most fire performers come with their own 3rd party liability insurance, and will travel with safety equipment suited to their size of show, some shows might even have an extra safety person to oversee included as part of the overall package. Often, fire shows will need to take a few minutes to set up a safety station prior to the show so it’s good to plan a little transition time into your schedule for this style, or check the specific requirements of your dancers.
Logistics on the Day:
One of the most difficult things to manage with weddings is timing, especially when it comes to shows that happen after speeches. Fire can be quite planning intensive on-site, as once the fire props have been dipped, there is a window of time where it will look the best, after which fuel starts to evaporate and the show won’t be as impressive. If you can, designate someone to communicate with your fire dancers to keep them up to date on performance time. If you are running late, they need to delay preparations and if you suddenly jump the gun, they won’t be ready. Make sure to leave an average of 30 minutes for them to prepare properly right before the show. The more they can trust your schedule, the better the show will be.
Having a green room for your performers to store their gear, props and get ready before the show will make your space feel more in control. If they are outdoors and cannot be given a room, be sure to communicate that in advance so they can make other arrangements, or you can provide options, such as parking them close to the entrance in order to use their car to store fuel, props etc.
We hope we’ve taken some of the mystery out of booking your very own fire show, so you and your guests can get the most out of this elaborate and exciting form of live entertainment.
Reaching Out: A Fire Show Checklist:
Does your venue allow fire?
What is your guest count?
How big of a show are you looking for?
How much space will the dancers need?
Is there any changeover required? (for example if they are sharing a stage with a band)
Do you want a stage style show, dance floor show or fire greeters for ambience?
Will the fire be indoors or outdoors?
FIRE ENTERTAINMENT: Hoop You
PHOTOGRAPHY: Alissa Baltazar
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