First Dance 101 with Kevin!

The first twist and twirl as husband and wife is amongst the most precious memories that one will carry in their heart till the close of time. What more? This is one of the most treasured traditions of a wedding. The emotions a couple goes through during their first dance is simply indescribable, because it takes a heart and feelings to understand the depth of the emotions one dives into during the experience. It is a dream-like moment, in which a couple madly in love look into each other’s eyes and dance to a melodious tune that depicts their love story and traces the rhythm of their heartbeats. Whether you wish to keep it traditional or even step out into the contemporary style, there are no rules whatsoever when it comes to your first dance. However, don’t forget that pre-planning and thorough organization leads to a flawless result. That’s exactly why Kevin Nugara, a flamboyant and renowned choreographer, shares some mindful tips on the subject of first dance with us. Dig into the next few pages for more deets! 

The Types & Trends 

When it comes to the first dance, there’s quite a lot of variations on how it can be done. The Slow Rhythm, Bachata, Slow Live and Kizomba are some of the styles one could incorporate into the first dance. The Slow Rhythm dance is one of the most popular wedding dance styles. Most couples already have an idea of what they want to do when it comes to their first dance. However, before heading out to pick the dance style, a couple must contemplate over which dance style would suit them best. A wise advice would be to try and keep the dance simple, elegant and romantic. Most often, the first dance is thought about after most of the wedding arrangements are completed and that doesn’t give the choreographers sufficient time to work with the couples. Thus, the practices depend on the time frame the choreographers are given to work with the couple.  

When Does the First Dance Come In?

The couple can fit in the first dance anywhere in the agenda as they deem fit. However, it is more appropriate if the dance is held after the speeches or toast because most of the guests don’t get onto the dance floor until the first dance is done.

Usually the music is a full audio of the song or a mash up of songs that goes up to 3.30 to 4 minutes.

Etiquettes to Follow

Ideally, the couple could get into a social dance class where they could be exposed to social dancing for a period of 3 to 6 months. This will give them an opportunity to learn different styles of dance as well as give them more confidence, while exposing them to more options for their first dance. Joining a social dance class will make them look and feel more natural in their dancing. Before the Big Day, the couple must practice dancing to the song. Be prepared Brides! If your wedding dress is long or has a train, adjust it so you don’t trip over it or you could simply choose to change into a different, elegant outfit that’s fit for a twist and twirl. And, oh! Don’t forget to wear comfortable shoes for dancing. If you’re not used to high heels, wear flats or go by the trend and wear sneakers!

On the wedding day, the first dance is followed by a dance by the father of the bride and his daughter while the groom takes the honor of dancing with the bride’s mother. 

Choosing the Perfect Song for the First Dance

The perfect song pick for the first dance would preferably be a tune that is meaningful as well as reflects the feelings the couple share with each other. It should be a personal song that would speak of their love for each other through its lyrics. 

Dealing with Height Differences

Height issues are not at all a problem. However, if the couple still seems to be a little fidgety about it, it can be fixed with the correct height of shoes while the choreography could be done in a manner to complement the height differences.

Choosing Appropriate Outfits for the First Dance

In most cases, the song is selected after the outfits are completed, thus, not much of a choice is left but to work around with what’s already in place. If the couple has an idea of the song or type of dance they want to do at the beginning, then the outfits could be designed accordingly. As mentioned earlier, the Bride can choose to change into a new, reception dress that gives a whole new vibe to the wedding and the first dance.