9 Tips For Your First Dance As A Married Couple

Need some tips for your first dance as a married couple? This is the post for you!

The thing is, most weddings will have a first dance. The kind where the couple gets together and sways to song that they love. Of course, alternative first dance ideas exist (as seen in this recent post), but for the most part the recipe is the same. Gather guests, turn on the song, and dance for a few minutes. Stop dancing and move onto the next wedding event.

Here’s the caveat, though. It’s okay to be a little intentional with your first dance as a married couple. You don’t have to just show up and make it happen. There are actions you and your partner can take to make those few minutes at your wedding that much more special. The actions don’t have to be extravagant, either. Just a little planning and attention is all you need to do.

9 Tips For Your First Dance As A Married Couple

This post is going to give you nine tips for your first dance as a married couple. As mentioned above, the tips are not insane to do. And, they may even help you feel more in control and calm as you go into your first dance. Pick and choose what works for you. Your first dance will be amazing and special no matter what.

Let’s get into it!

1. CHOOSE A SONG THAT IS MEANINGFUL TO YOU AND YOUR PARTNER

First things first. Song choice.

Many couples struggle with the song that will play during their first dance as a married couple. They often want a song that is meaningful to them. And, the song should be one they can dance to. It should also be “not that long”. The list of requirements can go on and on.

Keep one thing in mind, though. It’s just a song. Yes, it can be meaningful in a way that it’s “your song”. Or, it can be about the words in the song. Maybe it’s a hit song from when you started dating, or a hit song today. Perhaps it’s a song that your parents danced to at their wedding, or one that reminds you of your childhood. Meaningful is subjective, and you get to choose what feels right.

2. SHORTEN YOUR FIRST DANCE SONG TO THREE MINUTES OR LESS

Remember when I said earlier that your first dance song should be short? Well, if it isn’t, you have options.

While there’s no rule that your first dance should be less than three minutes, it’s kind of a guideline you should stick to. Any longer and guests will get bored. Plus, three minutes is a long time to be in front of everyone dancing, if you really think about it. Got a song in mind that is longer than three minutes? Never fear. You can use editing software, or ask your DJ, to shorten it. Trust me on this.

3. HAVE YOUR MC SET SOME EXPECTATIONS BEFORE YOUR FIRST DANCE AS A MARRIED COUPLE

I love a few ground rules, don’t you?

Before your first dance, have your MC (or DJ, or just a guest who doesn’t mind speaking up) share some ground rules with your guests. For example, guests should know to step back to give you and your new spouse some room. They should also gather around, and pay attention. Some simple statements of how they should behave while you’re dancing will enhance the moment even more.

4. PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE

Have you practiced your first dance yet? If not, you might want to try it out.

Think about it. You’re at your wedding. It’s time to do the first dance as a married couple. Everyone is watching. And, you and your partner aren’t on the same page. Or maybe you are, but it takes a moment. Your partner goes quick while you’re slow. They try to dip you and you’re not sure what’s happening. A twirl goes wrong. That sort of thing.

Long story short, practice. Have fun with it.

5. CONSIDER SWITCHING OUT YOUR FOOTWEAR BEFORE THE FIRST DANCE

If you are wearing high heels at your wedding, or stilettos, or anything that isn’t great for dancing, keep in mind that you can totally switch out your shoes for your first dance.

Changing into shoes that are meant for dancing will help with a few things. First, your feet will be better taken care of. They are less likely to hurt, and you’ll be less likely to injure yourself trying to dance in shoes that are barely meant for walking. Second, you’ll be more in control. More in control means that you’re a better dancer.

The shoes don’t even have to match your outfit, and you can change them back to whatever you want after the song is over.

6. DON’T FORGET TO BUSTLE

Does your dress have a bustle? If so, plan on having that girl tucked away before your first dance.

We all know that trains on dresses can look cool, and bring the drama, but in actuality, they can be a big pain in the you-know-what. When it comes to your first dance as a married couple, tucking your bustle away is crucial. Otherwise, you run the risk of your new spouse stepping on it and perhaps ripping your dress or hurting yourself. Yikes.

Bonus tip: Practice your bustle way before your wedding. Sometimes they are tricky and time consuming, and you don’t want to waste time at your wedding trying to figure yours out.

7. PUT YOUR VEIL AWAY

Just like with bustles, veils are cool and all, but I don’t think they belong in a first dance.

With your first dance, you’ll want to be able to see. To move. To not have anything in your way. Veils can impede all of that. They hang, they get caught, and frankly, they don’t do your first dance any favors. If you want to wear your veil for your entire wedding, put it back on after the first dance. Just give it a break for a bit.

8. MAKE YOUR FIRST DANCE AS A MARRIED COUPLE THE DANCE THAT STARTS ALL THE OTHER DANCING

This may be a controversial take, but your first dance should be the, well, first dance of your wedding, and all the other dancing should follow it.

What does this mean, exactly? Well, it means that after your first dance comes any parent and child dances. From there, you may want to do some other fun dances, or just open up the party for everyone to dance at your reception.

Yes, some couples like to have their first dance early on in their wedding, like right after their ceremony or between courses. If this is you, you do you. However, if you were to ask me my ideal flow, I’d have the first dance be the signal that it’s time for everyone to dance from then on.

9. HAVE FUN WITH YOUR FIRST DANCE AS A MARRIED COUPLE – IT WILL ONLY LAST A FEW MINUTES

Last tip! Have fun with your first dance. It’s a short blip on your wedding day, and you’ll only get to experience it once.

Yes, of course, it’s okay to have some nerves with your first dance. It’s okay to not want to do it, or look into alternatives. However, if you choose to have a first dance as a married couple, enjoy it. Smile. Look at your partner. Listen to the song. Tune out everything else and take in the moment.

THOUGHTS ON YOUR FIRST DANCE AS A MARRIED COUPLE

Friends, there are so many tips out there to make your first dance as a married couple amazing. Remember to pay attention to the shoes you will wear, what you will do with your bustle, and where you will put your veil. Practice with your fiancé, and pick a song that you both love (that’s not too long). Enjoy the moment, and take it all in when it’s time. Happy wedding planning!

More On Wedding Dances From Hummingbird Wedding Advice 

9 Alternative First Dance Ideas (That Won’t Make Your Guests Cringe)

Traditional Wedding Dances: Which One Is Right For Your Wedding?

Five Ways Guests Can Request A Song At Your Wedding

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