At a wedding, there’s naturally a first dance. You choose a song or songs on which you and your partner will dance during the first dance. How you select this song is up to you, but we can help you a bit with the selection. You can choose a particular style for your first dance.

What is a First Dance?

A first dance is the first dance of the celebration. The bridal couple selects a nice song and dances first. They open the wedding celebration with this dance and indicate that the dance floor is open. The tradition was always that the dance was an English waltz or a foxtrot. After this dance, the groom would ask the bride’s mother for a dance. In the next change, the bride dances with her own father, and the groom with his own mother. After these dances, the dance floor is truly open, and everyone is welcome to dance. The last dance of the celebration is actually also reserved for the bridal couple.

Is the First Dance Mandatory?

Is the first dance actually mandatory? No, this dance is not mandatory, and you choose whether or not to have a first dance. In fact, only 2 out of 3 bridal couples have a first dance. Many bridal couples consider the first dance the second most important moment of the day. If you’re not good at dancing but still want to present a good first dance, you can take dance lessons with your partner and learn a dance. This is a very fun preparation for your celebration, and everyone can see the end result.

Different Types of Dances

If you want to start a first dance, you first need to choose which dance you find suitable and enjoyable to dance during the celebration. It’s also very smart to see how the first dance will look and whether you can possibly learn the first dance.

The Foxtrot as a First Dance

The foxtrot is an old tradition that has been danced as the first dance since earlier times. It’s a simple and slow dance. This dance is also very quick and easy to learn. The dance consists of side-close steps. It has a four-four time, so choose music that fits well with this. A suitable song for this first dance is “Everything” by Michael Bublé.

The Quickstep as a First Dance

The quickstep is a ballroom dance. The dance is derived from the foxtrot dance; it resembles it and also has a four-four time. The quickstep is just a bit faster and more challenging than the foxtrot. This quickstep dance is one of the most popular dances at a wedding. A suitable song for this dance is “Deja Vu” by Beyoncé.

English Waltz as a First Dance

The English waltz is in a three-four time and is standard between 28 and 31 measures per minute. It’s a dance where you also do a lot of turns. The English waltz is a romantic but slow dance. You have to perform the dance with flowing movements, creating a wave effect. A suitable song for this dance is “See the Day” by Dee C. Lee.

Cha-cha-cha

The cha-cha-cha is a dance that originated in Cuba. It has a four-four time; you dance it with forward-back-side-close-side, so it’s a very challenging and fast dance. The cha-cha-cha is a spicy, flirtatious, and bold dance. People also call this dance the cat-and-mouse game. A suitable song for this dance is “When Love Takes Over” by David Guetta ft. Kelly Rowland.

Tango

The tango originally comes from Argentina. The dance is performed in a two-four time with accents. The tango is a sensual, seductive dance of love. It’s also a stylish dance, expressive, and you have a lot of room to interpret the dance yourself. A suitable song for this dance is “Objection” by Shakira.

Rumba

Rumba is a very difficult and popular ballroom dance. It has a two- or four-four time and is danced very quickly. The rumba is also recognized as the dance of seduction. The woman tries to seduce the man and then rejects him afterward. A suitable song for this dance is “Feel” by Robbie Williams.

Choosing the Song for the First Dance

Once you’ve determined the dance, you can start choosing the song. Choose a song that you both have a nice memory with, or if you have a nice memory together with a song, use that for the first dance. The first dance is ultimately very personal, so make sure the song is close to you. Choose a song that you both feel; otherwise, the dance won’t look comfortable, and the guests will eventually notice. You can also create a mixed song with various songs you like. You can make this yourself, but you can also have it made.

Tips for the First Dance

Ensure that the first dance doesn’t become too long so that people continue to enjoy it. If you’re not good at dancing, you can take dance lessons. Do this well in advance so you can practice the dance well and have all the time for it. This way, you won’t be stressed about the first dance and can go through it smoothly. Make sure that once the first dance is over, a good song comes on, so all your guests get on the dance floor and you have a fun evening. Choose a song that makes everyone want to dance immediately. A suitable song for this is “Levels” by Avicii.