Like everything on your big day, your first dance as a blushing bride can be nerve wracking. You’re up front, the centre of attention and everyone is looking at you. How do you cope with such an event? You plan for it of course!
The wedding dance is traditionally the time when you take a romantic dance with your new spouse and have the dance floor all to yourself. If you have two left feet, or are shy, this could possibly be the worst part of the day. With a little planning, or trickery, it could also be the best.
Preparing for the Dance
All weddings are planned like military operations. The first dance is no different. It’s a pivotal moment of the reception and the last of the day, so it has to be good. Preparation is key, especially if you want to do something a little special.
You need to decide in advance what you want to achieve. So ask yourself these questions:
What mood do you want to achieve?
What song do you want to play?
Do you want to prepare?
Do you want to surprise people?
What Do You Want to Achieve?
If you have had a traditional wedding day, it’s probably a good idea to end it with a traditional first dance. It’s easy to carry off, involves no real preparation and has the desired effect for all your guests. If you want a great end to the formalities of a great day, this is the way to do it.
What Song Do You Want to Play?
An important decision that takes more preparation than you might think. For some weddings, the couple will already have a favourite song they will play. That’s great if you’re one of those. If you’re not, you’re going to have to think long and hard, then listen to your choices.
As above, if you’re having a traditional wedding day then a traditional song would fit the bill nicely. Doing anything else might not work unless you plan it very carefully.
Here are the current Top Ten Wedding Songs of 2013 so far:
‘Everything’ by Michael Bublé
‘Let’s stay together’ by Al Green
‘At Last’ by Etta James
‘Amazed’ by Lonestar
‘Make You Feel My Love’ by Adele
‘Greatest Day’ by Take That
‘(I’ve had) the time of my life’ by Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes (from Dirty Dancing)
‘One Day Like This’ by Elbow
‘Better together’ by Jack Johnson
‘You’re the first, the last, my everything’ by Barry White
Do You Want to Prepare?
Even if you’re going for a traditional wedding dance, it’s still good to practice in advance to help you with nerves. That’s alongside dress fittings, meetings with caterers, booking the DJ and the million other details a wedding involves.
If you’re not a great dancer or think your nerves might get in the way, practicing beforehand can help. Whether you go for a dance teacher or not, a few practice dances in your living room not only gives you alone time with your spouse to be, it can also work wonders with your confidence.
Once you know the moves and flow well together, you only have to worry about doing it in public!
Do You Want to Surprise People?
We have all seen the YouTube clips of weddings where the bridal party burst into song and dance, or the wedding couple suddenly surprise their guests by switching from romantic song into rock ‘n roll. That may be what you want to achieve, but you have to ask yourself honestly if you’re capable of pulling it off.
However, just like Fame and Glee, hours of rehearsal went into making these look casual. Let’s be honest, they are great and everyone thoroughly enjoyed it. We would love to go to a wedding and see something like this. However, we also know that Janet and John from down the road is unlikely to be able to pull it off.
If you do decide to do something different, do yourself a favour and hire a dance teacher. Put in the practice, get your routine so you don’t have to think about it and only then consider doing it. Anything else could be very cringeworthy indeed!
The first wedding dance is the last of the formality of the day. Once done, you can go back to meeting, greeting, sitting and eating. It’s only a few minutes of your time and you’re surrounded by friends and family. There’s really nothing to worry about!
These couples did it with a little bit of flare !!!