A Comprehensive Guide To Wedding Dances

The wedding celebration is packed with traditions both old and new. It’s no wonder that dancing plays such a huge role in making a one-of-a-kind day. Wedding dances allow couples to showcase their customs, display their love and let loose with everyone they adore. They also allow couples and their families to express their unique personalities and maybe even some impressive dancing skills.

No matter your traditions, there are several standard wedding reception dance etiquette tips to make the night run as smoothly as possible. From the order of the wedding reception alternatives to traditional dances, let’s lay out everything you need to know to plan a successful dance-filled celebration.

Wedding Dance Tips

wedding music band

Even if you’ve been sashaying around dance classes since you were five, wedding celebrations typically include a range of dance styles and parameters. The dances are meant to fit within a larger evening of events, so here are a few things to keep in mind for a successful dance party.

1. Choose Music That Inspires You

There are hundreds of traditional first dance, father-daughter and reception songs out there. Choose a wedding first dance song that speaks to you and your dance partner without concern for what is popular. Select a song that will inspire you well into the future.

2. Practice Ahead Of Time

Several variables may affect your wedding dancing abilities—a large dress, a new suit and, not to mention, plenty of nerves. Plan a romantic night with your fiance a few months before the wedding to go through the steps of your first dance, even if you keep things simple. If you want to feel a bit more confident about the ins-and-outs of partner dancing, head to a local dance school for some guidance.

3. Check Out Old Traditions

Indian wedding

Looking for a way to incorporate cultural traditions into your wedding day? Many countries feature some version of the money or “dollar” dance, for example, while others celebrate with different forms of line dancing. This is also a great opportunity to touch base with older generations in your family and weave their input into the wedding day design.

4. Coordinate With Your Venue

With all the moving parts behind the scenes of your wedding reception, be sure to coordinate with your day-of planner when mapping out your reception schedule. Planners will communicate with servers and the kitchen to time the evening around your plans.

5. Confirm With Your DJ Or Band

Your DJ is a great resource when planning wedding reception dances. Be sure to clearly communicate musical choices way ahead of the big day so they have everything queued up and ready to go. They can also help you trim your music and transition your dances throughout the night.

6. Stay Comfortable

comfortable wedding shoes

Be sure to bustle your dress and switch to comfy shoes if your ceremony shoes risk interfering with your dance moves. Men may also want to remove their suit jackets for the big moment so they don’t feel restricted when coasting around the dance floor.

7. Go With The Flow

Every event has a level of unpredictability. Be ready to roll with a few stumbles or music snafus. Surprises happen, but guests are always willing to cheer on the couple no matter what comes their way.

8. Chat With Your Photographer

Prep your photo team to capture every sweet moment of your planned dances. Working a big move into the end of your first dance? Make sure your photographer has a heads up so they don’t miss the moment.

Wedding Dance Etiquette

wedding dance

What is the traditional etiquette behind wedding dances? Let’s explore a few tips that have survived the test of time.

1. Schedule Your Dances Together

The order of the modern wedding reception typically groups partner dances together. This allows your guests to focus on one part of the room at a time without having to switch back and forth between the dance floor and their meal.

For example, begin your first dance as soon as you and your spouse enter the room. Your guests are already standing and meal service has barely begun. Transition right into your parent dances before moving on to speeches or the salad course. If you serve a buffet meal, plan out your dances as the kitchen is still setting up.

Many couples do save organized group dances for the end of the evening after the meal is complete. This better matches the energy of this time in the celebration.

2. Time With Your Meal

Be sure to time your dances with the arrival of your meal. Speak with your kitchen to ensure that they do not bring out the entrees the moment you begin your first dance, for example. Most venues will already plan for this, but it’s worth clarifying the order of your evening so everyone is on the same page.

Weddings with a buffet or cocktail and appetizer-only evenings have a bit more flexibility. As mentioned earlier, fit your dances into the space between the opening of the dining room and dinner setup. If you’re skipping the full dinner, allow your guests an hour of sipping and mingling before breaking it up with a dance.

The only exception is dessert. Many kitchens will serve the cake right after the cake cutting. This typically coincides with the beginning of the dance party.

3. Keep Your Whole Crowd In Mind

wedding dance crowd

Though it’s important to choose music that reflects you as a couple, consider the whole room when planning your playlist. What will get your aunts and uncles out of their chairs for a dance? There are plenty of crowd-pleasing dance tunes from every era, so ask your DJ to vary the selections to get the whole crowd moving.

If you love an obscure genre of music, mix up your favorite songs with some that are a bit more recognizable. A delicate balance will both show off your personality and keep the crowd engaged.

4. Short And Sweet Is Best

Most professional DJs recommend keeping each partner dance between two and three minutes long. Keep in mind that most songs go longer than three, sometimes five or six minutes. This is a long time to hold your crowd’s attention, especially if they’re about to dive into dinner.

Order Of Wedding Dances

father daughter dance

The first dance typically signals that the dance floor is open, even if it occurs before dinner. Most dancing won’t take off until after the entree is complete and the cake is cut, but setting the scene with the first dance typically occurs right after the DJ announces the couple into the room.

Father-daughter and mother-son dances usually occur as soon as the first dance concludes. The couple is already on the dance floor so parents can join for a full or half song. Some couples choose to bring their grandparents up immediately after or invite them to dance with the full group together on the floor.

Some traditional dances, like the Hora, typically kick off the dance party. If you do a garter and bouquet toss, this is also a fun way to pull attention to the dance floor for an easy transition. At some point in the evening, some couples choose to slow down the mood and add a couple’s slow dance. The night then ramps up before its closing with songs that bring everyone to the floor.

Unique Wedding Dance Ideas

unique wedding

Considering breaking the mold or starting your own wedding dance tradition? Let’s take a look at some unique ideas popping up in the reception dance scene.

Flash Dance Mobs

Surprise group and wedding party dances are a great way to show the bride and groom that you planned something special to honor their big day. The bride and groom may even plan these dances themselves. Be sure to contact all your brave dancers far in advance of the big surprise. Simple, clean movements are best for large groups unless you happen to be a room of spectacular dancers.

It’s also important to have everyone on board with the big surprise, including your venue, photographer and DJ.

Anniversary Dance

If you’re looking to honor all the couples in the room, invite all married or dating individuals onto the dance floor for a slow song. Ask your MC to announce increasing anniversary years and for those who don’t fit the category to take a seat. At the end, the oldest couple on the floor enjoys a special moment in front of the room.

Unique Choreography

wedding dance choreography

Not every couple fits the mold for a traditional slow dance. Meet with a dance teacher to explore other fun types of dances like ballroom, swing or even some famous moves from a movie or TV show.

Song Selection Tips

As we mentioned earlier, wedding music should strike a balance between representing the couple and the crowd. When choosing your wedding music, remember to:

  1. Consider age-appropriate songs
  2. Vary styles and eras
  3. Set the tone for the event you want to create
  4. Alert the DJ of any songs you want to avoid
  5. Create a rule ahead of the wedding about DJ requests or changes to the set

Dancing can play as much or as little a role in your wedding day as you choose. Not much of a dancer? Adapt the simpler traditions into your reception to your own comfort level. In the end, it’s all about designing a day that inspires you, your partner and all your family and friends to celebrate long into the evening.