The First Dance is the traditional curtain-raiser at almost every wedding reception.
It not only provides an unforgettable romantic moment for the new happy couple, it also signals the end of the formalities of the Wedding Breakfast and the start of the evening celebrations. After all the pomp & ceremony of the day, the time has arrived to really let your hair down and party!
I have hosted over 1000 Essex wedding receptions in my long and successful career as a mobile DJ, as well as many other wedding day celebrations in Suffolk, Kent & London…you can absolutely trust me to answer all your Wedding First Dance questions and concerns using my vast experience. So, here goes….
Do we have to have a Wedding First Dance?
The simple answer is ‘no’! It’s your special day and if a First Dance isn’t something you’re both comfortable with, then we can head straight into the floor fillers. However, the First Dance is a major part of the whole wedding day, equally as important as cutting the cake or making a speech…it’s widely recognised as one of the memorable moments, especially for close family and friends looking on. Let’s not forget the awesome photo opportunity either! And as I alluded to above, it does signal the start of the evening reception, where formalities are finally relaxed.
When should we do our Wedding First Dance?
Timing usually depends upon the venue; at the vast majority of UK wedding receptions, the meal and speeches are over by 7pm. Giving the staff time to clear & rearrange the function room (and the DJ may have to set up in the same time window), 8.00-8.30pm is nearly always the best time for the First Dance. If your evening invites have stated 7.30pm arrival, then most of your guests should be there to see your big moment on the dance floor! Some of my previous couples have asked for a much earlier First Dance, even before more guests arrive. This is fine if you are shy or less formal, but it does take a little magic away from the evening. Personally, I believe the most successful Wedding First Dances are best performed between 8-9pm, with all the guests present and itching to get on the floor!
What song to choose for the First Dance?
Although this is a very personal choice, it’s probably the question I get asked the most often. The way I see it, your First Dance song should be something that you both connect with….possibly a holiday memory together, a tune you both heard on your first date, maybe the first time you ever danced romantically with one another. Never worry about whether it’s cool or not. It’s your moment, it’s your choice. I’ve become a bit of an expert over the years on love songs, especially those that contain the right kind of lyrics and sentiments. I’m always happy to guide you, try to steer you away from the sad songs with inappropriate words! Another thing to consider is the length of the song. This is not really a huge problem as we can fade it down at a pre-arranged point, but it’s nice to hear a complete track with a decent ending. Four minutes is a good maximum yardstick for First Dance track time.
When is the best time for the Father & Daughter Dance?
There are many differing opinions on this one – some believe it should take place before the First Dance, others say immediately afterwards and there are some who suggest it’s the last dance of the evening. The main thing is, there are no hard and fast rules. For me, it works at its very best when the Bride takes her dad’s hand after her First Dance. The room is already captivated with the bride and groom so bringing on Dad to take his daughter’s hand cranks up the emotion in the room to 11! It’s a guaranteed tear-jerker (in the nicest way, obviously!) One of my personal preferences as a wedding DJ is to open the floor to all the remaining guests about halfway through the Father/Daughter dance, ensuring the floor is full when you go straight into the uptempo stuff afterwards.
Do you recommend dancing lessons for our Wedding First Dance?
When you’re both out there in the middle of the floor, holding each other close and enjoying what is possibly your first moments of peace together on such a stressful and emotional day, you won’t really care what you look like to your admiring and adoring friends and family…so do you really need dance lessons to impress everyone? I don’t really think so, although it is fantastic to see a fully choreographed routine bring expressions of wonderment and surprise to your guests’ faces! If you’re both outgoing, confident people…then why not?! If one or both of you are quite introverted, then maybe just a slow smooch in the spotlight is all you’ll need.
What ‘Wow’ factor effects do you recommend for the Wedding First Dance?
The first and most obvious one is confetti…and not just the hand-thrown variety! I use fully-loaded 1 metre confetti cannons to completely dazzle and surprise everyone. As with any pyrotechnic, it’s always essential to get the venue’s permission first. ‘Dancing On Clouds’ is probably the second-most requested effect we are asked about. The photo at the top of this page shows how beautiful it looks, a dense fog around the feet of the happy couple. Unlike a smoke or haze machine, dry ice doesn’t rise and won’t set off any fire alarms! It really looks classy, particularly when lit with just white light beams. A real Hollywood moment! I’m sure you’ve also seen the four feet tall L-O-V-E letters that some DJs and venues employ, lit up in bright white bulbs as a backdrop to the dance floor. These are incredibly popular, but please remember to turn them off as the night moves in otherwise we can’t darken the dance floor for a better atmosphere!
I really hope that I have given you an insight into how important and special a Wedding First Dance can be. I am always available to chat about any aspects of your wedding music and wedding reception plans. My experience in hosting wedding receptions is truly extensive and I would be very happy to quote for my top class services on your biggest day.
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