Planning for your First Dance

I was recently interviewed for an article about wedding first dances…and thought I’d share some basic planning tips to help you create a memorable wedding first dance.

• First of all, pick a genre of song you are comfortable (slow ballad, two-step, salsa, waltz, etc) – it doesn’t have to be a ballad
• If you can, choose a song around 3 minutes in length or 4 minutes maximum – you’ll feel like you are on the dance floor for a long time and a shorter song will make the time pass faster
• Make sure you have appropriate and comfortable footwear for the song you are dancing too – feel free to wear your favorite dancing shoes, even if it doesn’t match your gown
• Before your first dance, bustle your dress, and if it bustles with hooks or snaps then have reinforce it with a diaper pin under your dress (so it doesn’t fall mid-dance)
• Speak with your photographer in advance to determine what level of lighting is needed to capture a great first dance photo and have your wedding coordinator or friend manage that for you.
• If not comfortable with the spotlight, have your wedding party and parents join you in halfway through the song – you’ll feel more comfortable with others up there

Your first dance can be one of the few minutes the two of you have alone together. Talk about your day, mention your favorite memories of the day so far, stare into each other’s eyes or just enjoy the loving embrace. This is your moment!

You can do a first dance at the beginning of your dance or if you have the time and your musicians are aware, you could also do a first dance when you first enter the reception room – when you have everyone’s undivided attention. Either way, your first dance is sure to be a special moment for the two of you – whether you gently sway in each other’s arms or totally rock the dance floor!

Jolyn | Luxury Wedding Planner
Nuance Occasions