The wedding dance is one of the most enjoyable parts of the reception. Guests can enjoy the music to their hearts' content. Beautiful music is playing in the background. The newlyweds entertain their guests with a choreographed first dance. This will be a wonderful time to take some pictures that capture the spirit of the event.
Dancing at a wedding involves some etiquette. The order of dancing can be arranged by the bride and groom.
Sequence of Dance Partners in Wedding
The bride and groom will dance first. This is the usual format. Then the parent dances with the couple - the father with the bride and the mother with the groom.
The groom’s father will then dance with the bride and the groom with the mother-in-law. The meaning of this dance is that the bride and groom are each welcomed into their new families. If the groom or bride has step-parents then it is proper to ask the step-parents to dance with the couple too.
After dancing with the couple, the parents then pair with each other. After that, they pair with the other parents. The sequence continues with the best man dancing with the bride and the maid of honour with the groom. Bridesmaids and ushers follow next until the entire wedding entourage has danced. The guests then can join in the dancing.
Other Dancing Alternatives
This is basically the traditional sequence of wedding dancing. It is not unusual for couples nowadays, however, to do some variation on this pairing order. Sometimes if parents are divorced, this kind of sequence might cause some awkwardness on the part of the parents. This is the reason why in most weddings today, the traditional first dance of the newlywed is observed. After that, there is no particular sequence to be followed.
The bridal entourage can join. At times the guests join with the entourage too. This set-up is more informal and most couples prefer it this way.
Another alternative to dancing at a wedding is after the full dance routine of the bride and groom, the wedding entourage will also perform a full routine. This, however, will take time to learn and might be expensive too. But this is one of the popular alternatives used in weddings these days.
The first wedding dance of the couple is usually done after the serving of the main course. Oftentimes, it is performed right after the cake cutting. The Master of Ceremony must announce the cake cutting. This will signal that the dance is about to happen.
If the couple will do a full dance routine then the guests should not be allowed to cut in while dancing. The MC should announce that the guests cannot cut in or join in the floor until the dance is finished. This will ensure that the couple will have the floor all to themselves and the dance routine will not be interrupted.
The couple has free rein on how the order will go in dancing. After all, it is their wedding and they can invent a tradition if they want. The couple must let the people who will dance know in advance. They should be instructed as to when they are supposed to cut in or join in the dancing. The MC can announce the order by calling the next participant to the dance. If the order of people dancing is long, then expect to play a number of wedding dance songs.
If you'd like to get some wedding dance lessons, browse wedding dance tutors here
If you'd like online wedding dance lessons, we can recommend the Wedding Dance Tutorial online course. Prices are in USD.
If you'd like a professional emcee (Master of Ceremonies) (which we recommend), browse wedding reception Emcees here
For dance music, browse our list of music, bands and DJs here
As a dance enthusiast and a wedding coordinator with extensive experience, I've had the pleasure of orchestrating numerous wedding receptions and guiding couples through their special day's dance sequences. The wedding dance isn't just a beautiful moment; it's a carefully orchestrated series of events that symbolize the joining of families and celebrate the couple's union. Let's break down the key elements discussed in the article:
-
Order of Dance Partners: Traditionally, the bride and groom kick off the dance. Then, the parents dance with the couple, symbolizing the welcome into their new families. This extends to step-parents if applicable. Afterward, parents dance with each other and then switch partners with the other set of parents. The best man and maid of honor follow suit, with bridesmaids and ushers joining in afterward. Finally, guests are invited to participate.
-
Variations in Dance Sequence: Modern weddings often deviate from this traditional order. Divorced parents or complex family dynamics might lead couples to adopt more flexible approaches. Couples might involve the bridal entourage and even guests in a less structured manner, making the event more informal and inclusive.
-
Alternatives to Traditional Dances: Some couples opt for an entirely different approach, where the entire entourage performs a choreographed routine after the first dance of the couple. While this adds an exciting element, it requires time and practice.
-
Timing of the First Dance: The first dance generally happens after the main course or immediately following the cake cutting. The Master of Ceremony plays a crucial role in orchestrating the flow of events, ensuring the couple has the floor to themselves during their routine if they've prepared one.
-
Couple's Control over the Dance Order: Ultimately, it's the couple's day, and they can personalize the sequence to suit their preferences. Clear communication with participants and guidance from the Master of Ceremony helps maintain the flow.
-
Additional Services: The article suggests resources for those seeking wedding dance lessons, including both in-person tutors and online courses. It also recommends professional Emcees and provides suggestions for music, bands, and DJs to elevate the dance experience.
Navigating the intricacies of a wedding dance involves understanding traditions, adapting to modern preferences, and ensuring a seamless flow of events. Whether it's guiding the couple through their first dance or coordinating the entire sequence, attention to detail and flexibility are key to creating a memorable experience for everyone involved.
