5 First Dance Mistakes to (Easily) Avoid
5 First Dance Mistakes to (Easily) Avoid
Even though we ADORE coaching all our couples to First Dance Confidence in an easy-breezy first dance lesson journey, there is a bit of pressure built into your big moment in the spotlight.
Seriously, you only get ONE First Dance—one chance to capture the vibe, photos, video, and MEMORIES that could make you either cringe or smile when you reflect back on your wedding day.
Your FIRST DANCE can and should be the moment when you relax, have fun, and feel totally free to be visibly authentically in love with your Sweetie. (Or enjoy a playful or poignant connection in a father daughter dance or other loved one as you include everyone in your dance and party vision for the day.)
Here are the top 5 First Dance mistakes you can eliminate now, so that you stay brilliant and beautiful during your Big Moment.
Forgetting to GET VIDEO of the whole song:
Even if you’ve hired a videographer to capture your event, ask a couple of trusted friends or family members to record your dance on their phones or cameras.
You’ll have several different vantage points to fully illuminate all the dips, spins, and facial expressions you can use forever on social media or simply enjoy for years to come.
Not communicating your entrance plan to the DJ, band, and other vendors:
Be clear about when and how you’ll enter the dance area (we cover this with you if you take lessons with us.)
Then, your timing and the “splash” of your performance won’t get lost because your DJ played your song too early, or Uncle Jim is blocking the prime spot to enter the dance floor. Your DJ can ASSIST you in making sure your grand entrance and performance get all the attention they deserve.
Forgetting to tell your photographer/videographer you have a First Dance planned:
It’s heartbreaking when all your hard work doesn’t get on film so you can remember and enjoy it forever. But this tragedy happens more often than you’d believe.
Tell anyone behind the camera what song you’ll be using, where to expect it during the celebration, and even what part of the choreography to look for and snap (like that jaw-dropping dip or lift!)
Neglecting to practice your “dance” face:
Facial expressions matter a LOT in your First Dance. Some couples forget to smile and get stuck in “concentration-anxious-grumpy-face” when they take the floor.
Yep, it’s okay to be a tad nervous dancing in front of your guests. When you PRACTICE your facials as part of your dance lessons, you’ll get photos and footage that shows you’re actually having a good time, feeling ALL the love, and in total “yeah, we DID that” mode as you spin, twirl, and move to the beat.
Refusing to ask for help nailing your First Dance.
Sure, dancing is a skill, and not everyone wants to win the Mirror Ball on Dancing With The Stars. But, we bet that you want to look amazing, feel confident, and generally know what you’re doing on the floor, so that it’s not a snoozy middle school sway to a song that kills your overall party vibe.
Get out there and LEARN a few moves–intentionally. There are likely some basic classes in your area available to you if you do a simple search. Try 5-10 private lessons and start scheduling them 3-4 months before your wedding day.
(Trust us, you’ll WANT ample practice time, even though dance miracles can also happen in just a few days or weeks prior to the party.)