7 Top Tips for your First Dance
You may be a budding Strictly contestant, or the thought of stepping onto the dance floor may fill you with absolute dread – hopefully these top tips can help you navigate those first dance nerves, avoid any oversights, and even… dare we say, enjoy the moment!
1. Find your song
Your first dance as a married couple is something worth celebrating, and what better way than with a song that has a meaning and connection for you both and your relationship. Choosing your song can be one of the less stressful things to tick off the list – have fun with it, maybe you could arrange a night together playing each other songs on your shortlist? Don’t feel that you need to conform to any ideas about what style of song you should have - your first dance should reflect your personalities and be about you both having fun and enjoying the moment.
2. Perfect preparation
Learning a few basic steps and practicing your dance together will make all the difference when it comes to stepping out onto the floor. The more comfortable you are, the more you will enjoy the moment together, and the more confident you are with your moves, the less anxious you will feel. If your budget (and your partner!) allows for a few lessons, this could be a great activity to do together, but if not – move the furniture, turn up the volume, and most of all – enjoy yourselves!
3. Think about clothing
So you’ve chosen your perfect song, and you’ve mastered a few moves – after all that hard work the last thing you want is for your shoes or outfit to unravel your plans for a flawless number. Wear your shoes when practicing, to help wear them in and so you can be confident how to move in them. Take your outfit into account when planning your dance too – long trains and fishtails can affect your movement. On the other hand, if you have your heart set on a certain choreography – maybe an outfit change could be in order? (did you need an excuse?)
4. Song variations
As you step on to the dance floor, the music starts, and your heart sinks. It’s always best to double check with the DJ/band that they know which version of the song you want to be played – with so many covers and alternative versions of popular songs, it could be an easy mistake to make!
5. Get you guests involved
Your song may seem to last seconds when you’re listening to it in the car, but suddenly, everything seems to be going in slow motion as you hear the music start and you take your partner’s hand. Suddenly 4 minutes feels like a lifetime and everyone is looking at you intently. Don’t feel that you need to dance the whole song solo, you can invite your guests to join in at any point, or even plan with your bridesmaids/groomsmen to join at a certain part of the song. This will help take the pressure away from you both, and trust me, your guests will appreciate the invitation to join the party!
6. Take a break
Unplugged ceremonies are becoming increasingly popular, so why not consider requesting that your guests put away their phones and cameras during your first dance. Not only does this mean that everyone can enjoy the moment and really focus on you both, but if you’re worried about any wrong moves ending up forever available for replays on the internet, this is a great way to squash those concerns. This could help you feel so much more relaxed about this special moment, and any photos or videos you would like to have - can be taken by your photographer or an assigned member of your wedding party.
7. Enjoy yourselves
Nobody is expecting anything more than for you both to have fun and enjoy yourselves. Embrace any mistakes, the most important thing to remember is to enjoy this moment – your first of many dances together as a married couple.
And finally, don't forget the last dance...
Trend alert! The last song plays, and it’s time for your guests to make their way out – they could be getting ready to send you off if you are leaving for honeymoon or retiring to a nearby overnight room to recover from the celebrations. The perfect time for you both to take a moment to soak in the day, and everything it has been. What better way than with a private last dance, (dj and photographer optional). Wedding days are full of activity, excitement, entertainment, emotion – take this opportunity to enjoy an intimate moment with you partner as your wedding day draws to a close, and your journey as a married couple begins.
