Choreographed dance routines are a great way to surprise guests at your reception, and they make for excellent photos. Juliet Garcia of Fred Astaire Dance Studios in Warwick says the first dance is an opportunity to show off your personalities, which can be tricky to convey without professional help.
First and foremost, it’s important to start lessons early. Garcia says that while many couples assume a choreographed routine can be learned in the days leading up to the wedding, it’s best to begin taking lessons a few months beforehand to get comfortable with the choreography. The routine itself is entirely up to the bride and groom. If the night’s theme is classic romance, you may want to stick to a waltz, but if you’re ready to get the party started, a fun and quirky hip-hop routine might be more up your alley.
If an elaborate first dance isn’t your style but you don’t want to simply sway back and forth on the dance floor, try taking social dance lessons instead. Consisting of mainly the foxtrot, rumba and swing, Garcia says these social dances will come in handy during the reception, honeymoon and even future date nights. No matter the style, injecting choreography into your reception is guaranteed to keep guests talking long after the night is over. —BROOKE AMERANTES