Your first dance as a newly married couple is one to remember for a lifetime, which will no doubt be captured in photographs and on video, giving you wonderful memories for years to come.
For some couples, dancing comes quite naturally, but for many others the thought of dancing in the spotlight makes them feel uncomfortable and nervous. One way to help deal with the nerves is to have dance lessons before your wedding day so that instead of winging it, you’re dancing to a choreographed routine. On the other hand, for some newly-weds the idea of “performing” at their wedding is too much pressure in case they get it wrong.
All couples have different preferences and will ultimately decide on what is right for them, but to help you make the decision, here are the pros and cons of a choreographed first dance:
Pro
If you, or your partner, have two left feet and dancing is not something you are comfortable with, dancing lessons can help to reduce nerves – even if it is some basic practice without a full-on routine.
Con
Weddings can be quite stressful, with a lot packed in to one day, and a choreographed routine is one more thing to remember. If you are doing a properly choreographed dance, ensure you start lessons well before the wedding date to give you a better chance of remembering the steps.
Pro
Dance lessons can be a fun activity for you and your partner, especially to help ease pre-wedding nerves and release some of the stress and tension that is to be expected from planning your big day.
Con
If you are getting married on a budget, dance lessons may be a cost that you cannot justify. It’s not worth adding to your stress trying to afford a choreographed routine if the money could be better spent elsewhere.
Pro
With enough practice, a choreographed routine will look polished. You will surprise your guests and have wonderful photos and video footage of your first dance together as a couple. The dance may even become something you do together for many years to come.
Con
If you don’t practice the dance enough, or if it is too complicated, you may look stiff and uncomfortable during your first dance. Make sure your dance instructor works to the best of your abilities and doesn’t try to over-stretch you.
Pro
Knowing what you are doing for your first dance should give you a confidence boost and mean you have one less thing to worry about on your big day. What may seem like a simple dance can cause undue anxiety for some individuals and couples, so alleviating that can help you enjoy your day more.
Con
It’s a time commitment that you could struggle to keep up with. Unless it’s something that you both feel strongly about, you may not want to commit as the money is usually non-refundable and there is no point in putting 50% into it, as your first dance will likely reflect that.