Tips For The First Dance Wedding
Let’s face it, weddings are a big deal! So many things go into planning your perfect day. One of the most memorable moments at your wedding will be the first dance between the Bride and Groom. The ceremony is what sets your marriage in stone, but you invited friends and family to join you for this very special occasion for a reason. Once the ceremony is over and you have officially become husband and wife, it’s time to have a little fun and celebrate with those you hold dear to your heart.
The first dance will be something that you, your new spouse, and all of your guests will remember forever! Of course, you want it to be memorable for all the right reasons! Here are 10 tips to help you prepare for that first dance.
1. Make It Fun!
The first dance at your wedding can be fun. It doesn’t have to be all romantic. Many couples decide to start off with the “sweet and slow” type dance and then work their way into including several different songs and dances as they go. Taking this approach with your first dance can take your guests from emotional and teary-eyed to ready to have fun and celebrate!
Start off with a slow song and slow dance, then incorporate more fun popular songs to get the crowd going. The following video is a perfect example of how to execute this.
Video: Most Amazing Wedding First Dance Mash-Up
2. Include The Wedding Party
Another fun idea for your first dance at your wedding is to include the wedding party. Consider including the Bridesmaids and Groomsmen either during your actual first dance, or immediately following. You can plan this with your fiance and work on this together including the entire wedding party, or it can be planned separately so that it will be a surprise for each of you.
Video: Surprise Groomsmen Dance
Video: Best Bridesmaids Dance
Video: Full Wedding Party Dance
3. The Father/Daughter Dance
In terms of importance, the Father/Daughter dance sits right near the top next to the first dance between the Bride and Groom. This is typically a very sentimental moment between the Bride and her Father. The Father is basically “giving the Bride away” and letting her start a new life with her new husband. If you really want to crank up the emotions with your guests and give them a very special moment to remember, the Father/Daughter dance should get special attention.
You can choose to keep this special moment sweet and slow, or you can go the route this Father and Bride went for their dance and make it fun and entertaining!
Video: Fun Father Daughter Wedding Dance
4. Make Sure Your DJ Has The Correct Song Version
There are several versions of many songs. You need to ensure that your DJ plays the correct version for your first dance.
If he or she were to play a re-mix version of a song that you have been practicing to, it could be disastrous and leave you feeling lost and unsure what to do, as well as embarrassed! Make sure that you two are on the same page before you step out into the spotlight.
5. Pick the Perfect Song
Picking the perfect song for your first wedding dance is crucial. Does it reflect your personality? Does it reflect your relationship? Make sure the song you pick stays true to you as an individual and as a couple. Do you have a song that you both hold dear to your heart? Maybe you have a special song that you danced to during your first date? When considering your first dance wedding song, try to sit and reflect together and decide which song really captures a special memory for the both of you, or at least describes your love for one another in beautiful lyrics.
6. Don’t Be Nervous!
One of the biggest concerns pertaining to the first wedding dance is nerves. You have convinced yourself that you will be the center of attention and all eyes will be on you. While this is true, you need to remember to keep this moment intimate and special between you and your new spouse.
A great way to do this is to speak to one another during the dance. This will help you both concentrate on one another, rather than all of the guests watching.
7. Take Dance Lessons If Needed
Do you and/or your spouse simply lack rhythm? Some of us simply aren’t “built” for dancing. And guess what? That is perfectly fine!
As long as you can be prepared for the first wedding dance, the rest will be smooth sailing! This is where dance lessons can really come in handy. If it isn’t in your budget to invest in full blown person to person dance classes, you can find plenty of basic lessons on YouTube.
Here is one example of dance lessons to get you headed in the right direction:
Video: First Wedding Dance Tips
8. Keep It Short
Just thinking of your first wedding dance may have you stressed out enough as it is. There is no reason to pick a dance and song that will require you to entertain the crowd for a long period of time. Take a load of stress off by planning a dance that will only require a few minutes of you being the center of attention.
Another good reason to keep your song and first wedding dance short is because you don’t want to bore the guests or make things start to get awkward. By this point of your big day, they are probably ready to just celebrate and have fun! Don’t keep them waiting.
9. Keep Comfort In Mind
The more comfortable you are during your first wedding dance, the easier it will be. Simple things like removing your veil, putting on more comfortable shoes, or even changing your outfit altogether are great options for ensuring that this first dance goes as smoothly as possible. Let’s face it, some dresses and shoes simply aren’t meant for dancing.
Prepare to throw in an extra few minutes in your timeline to get “wedding dance ready.”
10. Focus on Your Spouse!
One of the most important things you need to remember when preparing for your first wedding dance is that it is more about an intimate moment between you and your new spouse! Don’t get caught up in the idea that it is all for entertainment purposes to appease your guests.
This will be your first dance as husband and wife. THAT should be your focus! Enjoy the moment, get lost in one another’s eyes, and use this dance to bond and just enjoy one another for a moment during this big hectic day.