Along with cutting the cake, the wedding dance is one of the first things you will do as a newlywed couple at your celebration. There are countless ways to choreograph this dance. Here are our tips to ensure that your wedding dance is a complete success and a moment to savor.
Design your dance so that you feel comfortable! Not great dancers? No reason to skip the wedding dance. Just hold each other in your arms and sway gently back and forth—that's all it takes! You can also plan your wedding dance as a “lavine dance,” where you separate from each other after a certain amount of time to ask a parent or in-law to dance, for example. For those of you who like to put on a show: from elaborately choreographed dances for two to flash mob dances with your bridesmaids or groomsmen, anything goes. Just make sure that not only the DJ, but also all guests involved are informed of your plans in advance.
Announce your dance: You can leave this job to the DJ/musician or ask one of your witnesses to announce your dance and ask the guests to give the bride and groom a warm round of applause. Not only does this have the nice side effect of letting everyone know what's coming next, but it also makes this beautiful and unique moment of the wedding dance even more festive.
Choosing the wedding song: Basically, you have the option of dancing your wedding dance to a single song, to several consecutive songs (especially for the “lavine dance” variation), or to a medley of several songs (choreography for two or with guests in on the secret). For the romantic version, choose the song that has the most emotional connection for you. A song that has family significance can also be particularly touching. (There is no right or wrong.) You can also find the most popular wedding dance songs of the season in our wedding tips blog!
Planning the perfect time for the wedding dance: Some couples decide to perform their wedding dance at the beginning of the evening or as part of the program between two courses. However, it is best to plan it after the cake cutting and/or dessert to open the dance floor. If you want a lively party with a full dance floor, this is definitely the easiest way to set a good example for your guests and not chase them onto an empty dance floor. Also keep in mind that there may be surprises or delays that could push back the start of the party even further. We therefore recommend using the opening dance as the starting signal for the party.
No one knows how you planned the dance: This is pretty much the best tip a stage professional can give. Did you mess up a turn or miss a cue? No problem, as long as you act like it was supposed to happen, no one but you will notice the mishap. So don't just practice the perfect choreography, but also practice improvising and agree on individual points where you can re-enter the rehearsed dance sequence.
The perfect transition after the wedding dance: To ensure a smooth transition from your wedding dance to the full party dance floor, one of the best tricks is to ask the guests to gather around the dance floor before the dance. As a nice extra, sparklers or glow sticks can be handed out for the perfect sea of lights. What's more, when the time comes, your guests will just have to start dancing instead of having to overcome their inhibitions about getting onto the dance floor. You can also ask the DJ/musician or a witness to announce after your wedding song and the applause that everyone is now invited to join the bride and groom on the dance floor.
Don't plan any other mermaid activities after the party has started: After a few songs, how about another wedding game or releasing lanterns outside? Remember, your guests have already had a long day and a lot to eat. A breather after a few songs will allow your guests to feel the first signs of tiredness setting in and reconsider the perhaps not so short journey home at a late hour. Once the party is in full swing, allow yourselves to simply enjoy the celebration.
What to keep in mind for wedding dance photos: The lighting on the dance floor tends to be dim to encourage dancing, and there are many different colors and effects. Depending on what you want for your photos, this may not be ideal. So discuss your ideas with the photographer and DJ in advance.
Think about the wedding dress and the right dancing shoes: Of course, women don't want to show their future husband their wedding dress before the big day, so practicing together in the wedding dress is probably out of the question. However, when buying the wedding dress, ask if the train can be pinned up for the dance and take the width and length of the skirt into account when practicing. Some brides decide to change into a “short white dress” before the wedding dance and switch from high heels to more comfortable platform shoes or even flat shoes.
The most important thing: Enjoy your dance! It's your moment to make it your own. Look deep into each other's eyes, take a deep breath, focus only on each other, and enjoy your song(s)!
