How Your Wedding Dress Will Affect Your First Dance – Here’s What You Should Know.

How Your Wedding Dress Will Affect Your First Dance – Here’s What You Should Know.


Many couples think that their First Dance is all about the song. While that’s true, it’s also crucial to keep your wedding dress in mind as you practice. (Yes, really. It’s that important.)


Be sure to read all the way through this Wedding Dress/First Dance Guide we’ve got for you this week—no matter what dress style you rock on your Big Day, your dance can perfectly showcase your elegance without tripping on your train!


The MERMAID dress: 


DO:

  • Use your arms, shoulders, and hips to create a vibe as you smile and shine.

  • Employ small steps on your lower half–so that you don’t split any seams as you move your legs.

  • Try spins and dips—to add interest and “wow” on the spot without large, awkward strides that stretch your dress beyond its limits.


DON’T:

  • Extend your legs too far—think “delicate” feet, but BIG facials, fist pumps, or intricate upper body choreography instead.

  • Split your legs in lifts or dips—you’ll need to focus your “mic-drop” moves more in one place than all over the floor.


The Looooooong Train dress:


DO: 

  • Use only forward motion.

  • Ensure your partner walks backward for any movements into which they lead you.

  • Use your train to artfully punch up key points in your song—you can flick it, swoosh it, and add as many diva-flourishes as you like with this “prop.” 


Pro Tip #1: Make sure you can bustle your train if you want—many of these dresses come with hidden buttons and loops so that you can shorten your train for ease of movement after the ceremony.


DON’T:

  • Choreograph any backward steps in this dress—you’ll step on it and damage your dress (at best), or even fall down and hurt yourself or your Sweetie (at worst!)


The Ball Gown:


DO: 

  • Embrace a LOT of movement–this dress allows you the most freedom in your dance, assuming your train is removable or bustled (see above.)

  • Big steps are A-okay for you and your partner—enjoy working the entire floor if you desire!

  • Try a simple split-leg lift-and-spin as a “Showstopper” move. You’ll showcase your grand garment and look stunning in the process—with plenty of awesome photo-opps as well. Make sure you smile!


DON’T:

  • Get too wild on your upper half, especially if you have a strapless design on top and need to be a little watchful of exposure or slippage. 

  • Let your partner's feet get tangled in all that material. Create some dance space between you instead so that your dress can shine and that it doesn’t hide any of your well-practiced moves.


Whether your dress is long, short, playful, or exceptionally formal, get help from Wedding Dance Coach planning the First Dance that shows you off the most.


Pro Tip #2: Wear a PRACTICE SKIRT that mimics the line of your dress when you attend your dance lessons or practice at home. We love this LINK for affordable practice dresses in every style and shape on the market! 


For all the help you need from song selection to mic-drop moves, visit our scheduling pages NOW.


We offer in-person wedding dance lessons at our Denver studio, AND we coach happy couples world-wide in our Virtual Studio as well!


Learn more and book your first lesson at www.myweddingdancecoach.com. 

Elizabeth Marberry