First Dance Ideas For Your Wedding
The phrase ‘first dance’ is, these days, inextricably linked with a wedding’s opening twirl around the floor. But dance has long been a human ritual and, historically, the term referred to a society woman at her first social gathering, typically a ball. Or the first dance would be led by the guest of honour, which was usually a person of the highest standing, e.g. any members of the aristocracy, or royalty if they were present.
During the golden age of Hollywood, couples sought to emulate the glamour of their favourite stars’ dance styles. The tradition of the ‘first dance’ remains in the present day as a key moment in most marriage celebrations although, of course, it’s not compulsory. (But you may come under pressure from your guests to have one and take to the floor!)
So you can choose either not to have a first dance at all, or just to move to part of your chosen song before all your guests start joining in. (That way, after, say, a minute, the spotlight is off you, if that’s what you prefer.)
Equally, you’ll find a greater variety of dance styles than previously from which to take your pick, giving you plenty of choice.
Do we need lessons?
Again, that’s entirely up to you and the importance you attach to your first dance. Of course, your guests will be very forgiving whatever you do, and you’re unlikely ever to come before a more indulgent audience, so lose any lingering inhibitions. And clearly it’s not a competition. But whether or not to have lessons will depend on how much you’ve danced before, and the complexity of what you want to achieve when you step out onto the floor.
You may find having a few hours’ tuition gives you the confidence you need. And you may want to discuss your song choice with the tutor, and perhaps schedule a couple of sessions with a week or two in between them, during which you can practise.
If you have a shortlist of songs, the tutor may also be able to advise on what would work best choreographically.
Whether you have tuition or not, allow yourselves enough time to practise – bearing in mind that the six weeks or so before your wedding are likely to be very busy.
How do we choose a first-dance song?
With this decision, it may be hard to know where even to start, since the choice can seem almost limitless.
The first thing to say is that it is your choice, so you can have the song you want, however unusual it may seem. D.I.V.O.R.C.E. may raise some eyebrows, but your selection just needs to be significant to you as a couple. You may want a tried-and-tested classic that makes everyone smile, or you may opt to go for something completely different.
One thing to consider is that, perhaps surprisingly, it helps if you like the song, but actually you don’t have to completely love it – in many ways, it’s more important that this is a song you feel able to learn some moves to.
It’s also fine if you don’t have a particular ‘our song’ – it just needs to mean something to you both for whatever reason, so that it sparks emotions and conveys a sense of romance.
Choose something that’s long enough for the photographer to get some good shots, but not so long that your guests start to lose focus.
Chat to friends, ask around, listen to different music and you’ll soon instinctively know which song is right for you.
Some popular first dance songs
Here are a few quick ideas which may provide some inspiration:
· At Last – Etta James
· Can’t Help Falling in Love – Elvis Presley
· Baby I’m Yours – Arctic Monkeys
· Let’s Stay Together – Al Green
· Lover – Taylor Swift
· All of Me – John Legend
· Your Song – Elton John
· Can’t Take My Eyes Off You – Andy Williams
· Grow Old with Me – Tom Odell
· Make You Feel My Love – Adele
Your wedding at Howard Court
At Howard Court, a luxury, exclusive-use wedding venue in glorious North Yorkshire, we can’t choose your first dance song for you. But we can provide the perfect place for you to perform it. Learn more about our gorgeous converted barns where you can party the evening away – and get in touch or book a showround today.
