The First Dance - Everything You Need To Know

Weddings come with many traditions, customs, and symbols - while some may become less common and time goes by, others become firmly rooted in wedding ceremonies. One of those traditions that remain is the first dance.

What is the first dance?

The first dance is a long-standing tradition of the bride and groom starting their wedding night festivities with their first dance together as a married couple. Traditionally, the bride and groom are the 'people of highest honor' at a wedding (naturally), so the couple starts the dancing part of a wedding off together before others ultimately join in. The dance usually happens after cutting the cake and speeches or toasts, although it's really up to the couple when they want to have their first dance together.

The most common of these dances tend to be a waltz. The waltz is a tradition that grew from the first dance at formal affairs or formal balls back in the 15th century. Initially, the waltz was the dance for weddings, and the first dance was often known as 'the bridal waltz.' It became known as the bridal waltz in Europe after Queen Victoria used it at her wedding to Prince Albert.

As dancing has evolved over the years, it's becoming common to see a wide varying range of dances incorporated into weddings, such as hip hop dancing, sway, slow dance, and more. Other brides may not even choose to have the first dance or choose something completely different depending on their theme, culture, or personal reasons.

What was the point of the first dance?

The first dance was initially intended to showcase the harmony of the bride and groom together. It was considered an expression of their undying love for each other, showcasing the beginning of a love life together. A bride and groom becoming synchronized in life, in general, is an expectation of marriage, and showing that with dance was a big deal.

What if my partner or myself can't dance well?

Don't fear - we're not all professional dancers - there is a big industry of dance professionals that will give lessons to a bride and groom before the wedding so that you can get it down ideally!

What if I find it hard to dance in my wedding gown?

We've had many brides run into this problem, and luckily, you can always sneak away for a quick outfit change mid-show. It's also often a good idea to design a wedding gown with detachable aspects or just generally work well for your first dance if it's something important to you and your partner on the day!

We've had a few questions lately about the first dance, and we hope this has helped anyone that may have any questions in the future. Also, if there's anything you think we may have missed, let us know in the comments down below, and we'll be sure to add it in!