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Jun
2008
You mother and father danced at their wedding, and although you love the idea, you just aren’t sure if you want to follow suit. As part of your wedding reception entertainment, dancing can add a lot to your wedding: memories, laughs and a lot of fun.
Here are some tips for a successful rug-cutting evening:
Take Lessons
You don’t need to go to the extremes on this British couple on Youtube who choreographed their first dance to Johnny and Baby’s famous dance from Dirty Dancing, but you should have some basics down so there is no panic on the dance floor. You can even find wedding dance classes that specialize in wedding dances.
Some dances that are common at weddings include:
- Slow dance
- Lindy
- Swing
- Fox Trot
- Tango
- Waltz
The waltz is traditional, as is the slow dance. If you don’t have time or means to learn the other dances, make sure to at least learn the basics of the waltz.
You can always ask mom or dad (or friends or other family) to teach you to dance. They would love the chance to spend time with you before you marry.
Use music you can dance to
You want to encourage your guests to dance but you also want to find music that you and your to-be enjoy. Compromise. Discuss with your DJ/band leader/computer/MP3 player which songs will invite dancing from all age groups. Mix in some classics, something your parents can two-step to, and some songs your friends can swing to.
And don’t forget Your song. Your bridal waltz (which is what it used to be known as) is your all-important first dance. Whether you choose to dance to Celine Dion or Sir Mix-a-lot (as the couple does in this video), be prepared: have a copy of your song and be ready to dance (choreography or not).
To make your first dance less scary, silly, jerky and awkward, practice it a few times before hand.
Dance Traditions
You know about your first dance, but traditionally, there are other dances that wedding and dance etiquette favor.
- The first dance: this is done by the bride and groom and follows the announcements and speeches. At some point, the bride’s father will cut in…
- Father-of-the-bride and bride/groom and mother-of-the-bride dance: the groom will (or should) graciously place the bride’s hand into her father’s hand, then he asks the bride’s mother for a dance.
You can stop here, or you can continue…
- Groom’s father and bride dance
- Bride’s father cuts in on groom to dance with his own wife
- Groom dances with his mother
- Parents can exchange dances
- Maid/matron-of-honor dances with groom, and bride dances with best man
And then you can invite your guests out onto the floor and let the party begin!
Although it is tradition that the man ask the woman out onto the dance floor, that doesn’t need to be the case.
Tradition has laid the ground work on the wedding dance floor, but this part of the wedding, like the others, should be a reflection of you and your to-be. If he loves to breakdance and you love ballet, let your imaginations come up with a way to blend what you both love.
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Topics: Utah Wedding Planning, Wedding Advice |