Let it be among the most beautiful memories!
The first dance is a traditional moment where newlyweds introduce themselves as a married couple to their loved ones. It’s a moment eagerly anticipated by family, watched closely by friends, and carefully cheered on by the bridal party. And you? Are you awaiting this moment relaxed and well-practiced, or are you nervous with sweaty palms at the thought of all eyes being on your every move for those few minutes?
How it all began?
The tradition of the first dance has its origins dating back to the 17th century when formal balls were held. At these events, the honor of opening the ball was given to the guest of honor, usually the person with the highest social status, who would be proudly introduced and invited to dance by the hosts of the ball.
During formal balls, significant social gatherings, or even debutante balls, the first dance would sometimes be given to a young lady to mark her debut in society.
After World War I, the idea evolved in Europe and the USA that the newlyweds should dance on their own for their first dance. Initially, it was not an obligation nor a particularly spectacular performance. With the development of society, dance halls became increasingly popular, and dancing became a social skill, an opportunity for display, and a widely accepted form of entertainment. Television and celebrities further contributed to the popularity of couples choosing the first dance for their weddings.
7 tips for planning the first dance
And today? Whether you’re planning a modern or a more traditional wedding celebration, sooner or later, the planning of your first dance comes into play. Regardless of whether you are skilled dancers or believe you have two left feet, you can turn the first dance into unforgettable moments and an entertainment piece that sets the “tone” for your entire wedding dinner.
Here are a few things to consider when planning your first dance:
- Do you know the size and type of your dance floor? Take into account tables, chairs, columns, etc. Pay attention to the dance surface, its slipperiness, and whether it complements the shoes you’ve chosen. Adjust the lighting too – let it work to your advantage.
- Explore different dance styles and which one best describes you and your partner? If you have a specific song for your first dance, try it out to see if your dance matches the song’s rhythm and tempo?
- Your dance rhythm should match your attire. Some wedding dresses take everyone’s breath away with their appearance, but they may not be the easiest for executing more complicated dance moves. Similarly, a groom in a tight suit and numerous hand movements could be detrimental to the seams of the suit.
- Ideally, the wedding dance should last between 1:30 and 3:00 minutes. A dance that is too short may not showcase all your skills, while one that is too long might lose the audience’s attention. As the saying goes – you should stop when you’re at your best.
- Think about who will introduce you and how. If you entrust this role to the band, talk to them about how they would like to do it. Quirky, serious, romantic, festive, shorter, longer… let it be exactly the way you want.
- If your first dance song is performed by the band, you might be able to listen to it beforehand. Every performer has their own style and interpretation of the song. If a DJ is playing the song or you’re playing it as a recording, make sure the recording doesn’t end abruptly, is of good quality, and smoothly transitions into the dance for parents and the wedding party.
- According to the advice of some dance instructors, if you want to prepare a special choreography to surprise your guests, depending on its complexity and your prior experience, you may need to dedicate 2 to 4 months of practice, approximately 2 hours per week. Optimally, this would be 5 to 10 hours of instruction, or one to one and a half months before the wedding to master the basics and shine on the dance floor.
How first dances are danced around the world
- Few countries take the first dance of the newlyweds as seriously as Lebanon. The Lebanese Zaffe is a glamorous entrance of the bride and groom and their welcome dance, surrounded by drummers, musicians, and professional Zaffe dancers. Often, belly dancers join them on the dance floor, everything is very lively, guests are on their feet, applauding, and in the end, the couple is showered with blessings and flower petals before joining the dance and partying late into the night.
- Ceilidh is one of the most popular traditional dances in Scotland and Ireland, often chosen as the first dance. It’s important that ceilidh is fun, and it’s loved even by those who are nervous about making mistakes during the first dance because you don’t need to know it in advance, and it doesn’t put the newlyweds in the spotlight. All that’s needed is a good dance “leader” to explain the sequence of dance moves, a lively ceilidh band, enthusiastic guests, and a large dose of relaxation and laughter.
- Dance is a central feature of Jewish weddings. The Hora, or the traditional dance of the newlyweds on chairs, is known worldwide. The newlyweds are lifted into the air while sitting on chairs, as their family and friends dance around them. The handkerchief that the newlyweds hold during this dance is a symbol of their connection and new union.
- African American weddings have a tradition called Jumping the Broom, which symbolizes a new beginning, clears the past, and represents the couple’s first step into married life. After reciting their marriage vows, they “jump” into a new life, leaving the old one behind. It’s believed that this tradition originated in the American South when slave weddings were not allowed, and they introduced jumping over the broom as a form of alternative wedding ceremony. The tradition has persisted to this day, and brides even decorate the broom with silk ribbons, lace, and flowers.
The Money Dance, known everywhere, has variations seen at weddings in countries like Poland, Greece, Mexico, Cuba, Fiji, and Nigeria. Money during this dance symbolizes the love and happiness that guests wish for the newlyweds, helping them start their journey together. In some countries, guests attach money to the clothing of the newlyweds, shower them with money, collect money in a wedding apron, make garlands and crowns out of money, put money in the bride’s shoe… all this is accompanied by the essential dance, music, and joy.
No matter where in the world you are, the first dance of the newlyweds is certainly one of the most special and anticipated moments of a wedding celebration. It’s not surprising that first dances have become true performances and surprises that many celebrities would be proud of.
Don’t forget…
The first dance should be relaxed and fun. If you simply forget that you’re in the spotlight at that moment and just surrender to the embrace of your loved one, you can’t go wrong. And even if you make a mistake, laugh it off; it will be your unforgettable memory.
Plan your special dance routine and coordinate with the photographer to capture it on camera. This way, you’ll forever preserve your best dance moment, regardless of any occasional clumsy dance moves that came before it. Incorporate a special effect like smoke. On photos, it will look great, and it will hide any uncertain dance steps even better.
Keep in mind that it’s just a few minutes of your most beautiful day, and no one but you knows what you’ve planned. If you’re worried that things won’t go as planned, arrange a secret signal with the band to call the witnesses and parents to the dance floor earlier.
And once you dance into your marriage, nothing will be able to stop you. Dare to be different and be yourselves. After all, it’s your day, and all the guests are there to support you and celebrate with you. Fill your album with photos. Every moment of your wedding is a special memory.
We’ll help you preserve them so you can relive them whenever you want.
Check out our selection of personalized photo books and albums that will tell only your story. Save special pages for your first dance!
EXPLORE OUR OFFERING OF PERSONALIZED WEDDING GIFTS
P.S. Did you know that in your personalized Wedding Book you can even save the entire video of your first dance, watch it, and reminisce whenever you flip through the photos of your wedding?
P.S.S. And if you need help with planning, the personalizedWedding Planneris the ideal assistant!
Good luck on your special day, and don’t forget to enjoy every moment!
With love,
Daria
