Everything You Need to Know About the Wedding First Dance
The First Dance marks the beginning of a lifelong journey of love shared by two people, and it’s one of the most cherished moments of any wedding day. 💖
This dance can be a beautiful expression of your bond with your soulmate—or it could be three nerve-wracking minutes of awkward swaying in front of your guests. 😬
But don’t worry, we’re expert wedding dance choreographers, and we're here to ensure your first dance is as magical as the love you share!
You might be wondering:
Are there any first dance traditions or etiquette I should know?
When should the first dance happen at my wedding? How long should it last?
Do I need to practice with a choreographer?
How do I calm my nerves when the big moment arrives?
We’re here to answer all of these questions, help you perfect your first dance, and make sure it’s a highlight of your special day!
Here’s what we’ll cover:
Want the perfect song to make your first dance unforgettable? 🎶💖
We’ve curated a list of 400 Romantic First Dance Songs for Your Dream Wedding to help you find the one that fits your love story perfectly.
The Etiquette and Traditions of the Wedding First Dance
Ultimately, the choice of sticking to tradition or going your own way is up to you!
We are here to answer any questions you may have about how to plan a traditional first dance at your wedding if that is your choice.
Traditional Origins of The First Dance
This time-honored wedding tradition comes from the royal courts of Europe in the 17th century. An altogether different first dance was the opening act at ballroom festivities.
The guests with the highest social status would be chosen as the guest of honor and they would lead the first dance of the party with their partners.
Sometime in the 19th century, this ballroom tradition inspired the addition of the first dance at weddings.
Today, the song and vibe of the first dance are up to the newlywed couple to choose.
Of all the dances during the wedding festivities, this one is the most traditional and meaningful.
✨ Want to make your first dance WOW! rather than meh? ✨
With our wedding dance choreography, you will dazzle your guests, and truly enjoy yourselves!
When To Perform the First Dance at Your Wedding
Traditionally the first dance will take place at the beginning of the wedding reception.
After everyone is settled in their seats, the newlyweds will make their grand entrance to the applause of family and friends. The DJ will turn on the chosen song as the couple moves directly to the dance floor to commence the first dance.
Does The First Dance Come Before or After the Cutting of the Cake?
The first dance comes before. Many engaged couples plan the cutting of the cake to immediately follow the first dance. This is an excellent time to cut the cake, giving guests the energy to start dancing themselves.
Some couples like the dance to be later, after dinner, but the issue with that to consider can be you’re too full from eating, and also maybe drinking a bit much.
We don’t recommend too many drinks before your dance, because you’ll want to be fully present with each other, and not forget the steps!
(We know of a sad story where the groom had to guide his bride through the entire dance because in her tipsy state she couldn’t remember the moves.)
Don’t worry - with our help, you won’t need alcohol to feel relaxed and have a good time dancing!
How to Announce The First Dance
It's typical for the DJ, toastmaster, or designated wedding coordinator to announce the impending grand entrance with a microphone or PA system.
The DJ will cue up the first dance song, signaling the newlyweds to begin their grand entrance and move to the dance floor for their first dance.
Length of the First Dance
We recommend keeping your first dance between 2 to 3 minutes long. For new dancers, anything much above 3 minutes can feel like an eternity!
On the other hand, dances that are shorter than 2 minutes will make it more difficult for wedding photographers to take good shots of the first dance.
How Choreography Can Enhance Your First Dance
Wedding dance choreographers can make what would be a nerve-wracking experience into the most special experience of your life. You, dancing intimately with your beloved, with all your loved ones surrounding you, moving together as a comfortable, confident, and harmonious team.
At Steps to Love, we create custom dances that make your first dance absolutely unforgettable!
Wedding dance lessons stand apart from most wedding planning activities, in that they are ridiculously fun. (At least with us they are!)
We provide you with a special time where you’ll be looking into your partner’s eyes, synchronizing your bodies and movements with each other, and learning to do something together as a team.
When the big day comes, you’ll feel totally prepared and confident (and yes, even excited!) to dance, so you can enjoy yourselves and dazzle your guests!
Oh, and have some amazing dance skills to boot that will keep you dancing together for the rest of your lives!
Schedule a consult call with us here to see which package is best for your wedding.
How to Calm Your First Dance Nerves In 6 Steps
We hear all the time how nervous you feel when you think about going out on the dance floor in front of all your guests.
We get it! It makes sense!
You probably have never “performed” in front of 100+ people, all watching you at the same time.
So we wanted to provide 6 simple, but vital steps to calm your nerves before stepping on the dance floor for your first dance:
Bay Area First Dance Lessons with Steps to Love
Make your first dance a moment to remember! 💖
We’ll help you feel confident, prepared, and excited to share this special dance with your partner. You’ll be ready to wow your guests, enjoy every step, and create a memory you'll cherish forever.
Ready to invest in your dream first dance? Check out our packages here!
And if you’re still searching for the perfect song, explore our 400 Romantic First Dance Songs for Your Dream Wedding to find the one that speaks to your love story. 🎶
