First dance: everything you need to know

A romantic tradition; the first dance. This dance isn’t compulsory. However, it’s a beautiful and romantic beginning of your wedding. Nowadays we see more and more modern variations on this dance. Where does the traditions came from? And what needs some extra attention during the first dance? Everything you need to know and want to know about the first dance is listed below.

According to the etiquette, it’s customary that the first dance is reserved for the bride and groom. Thereby they give the signal that the dance floor has been opened. Traditionally, the newlywed couple dances a foxtrot or an English waltz. These are both quite difficult dances for couples who have never danced (together).

After this dance, the groom asks the mother of the bride to dance. At the next exchange, the bride dances with her own father and the groom with his own mother. After this, the dance floor is opened for anyone who want to dance. Usually the final dance of the evening is also reserved for the bride and groom. According to etiquette this is an English waltz.

Need some dance lessons?

Of course, you are really excited before the first dance. Give your own twist to the dance. That makes the opening dance less stiff. Dance lessons aren’t necessarily required. Choose a song that suits your taste and a dance that you could do both. You could also make a hilarious moment of it with an own, rehearsed dance. Grab your moment, that’s what it’s all about!

Different dances

The authentic foxtrot

This dance is in principle quite easy to learn. The dance consists of side-closing passes. It has a quadruple time. Therefore, choose appropriate music.

Suitable numbers foxtrot:

Micheal Bublé – Everything
Phill Collins – You’ll Be In My Heart
Frank Sinatra – Yes Sir, That’s My Baby (and many other songs from Sinatra...)
Beatles – Michelle
Robbie Williams – Miss Jones
Perry Como – Make Somone Happy
The Doors – People Are Strange
Tammy Wynette – Stand By Your Man

Thequickstep

The quickstep is also a quadruple dance. In that way, it’s a bit comparable to the above foxtrot (fast). Suitable for beginning dancers.

Suitable numbers quickstep:

Beyoncé – Deja Vu
Black Eyed Peas – Where Is The Love?
Blue Lagoon – Break My Stride
Clouseau – Dat Ik Verliefd Ben
Golden Earring – Radar Love
Guus Meeuwis – Zij Is alles
Toontje Lager – Stiekem Gedanst
Vaya Con Dios – Nah Neh Nah

English waltz

The English waltz is a slower dance with a wavy effect and smooth movements. The dance is performed on a song with a three-four time.

Suitable numbers English waltz:

Norah Jones – Come Away With Me
Dee C. Lee – See The Day
Conny Vandenbos - Don`t Leave Tonight
Eagles - Take it to the limit
Enya - Once You Had Gold
Ilse de Lange - If You Had The Heart
Jane Morgan - Fascination

Cha-cha-cha

The Cha-cha-cha is one of the original dances from Latin America. This dance needs a song with a quadruple time. The fourth beat is divided into two parts. Because of that it’s a challenging. Spirited dance with a lot of rhythm. A lot of contemporary pop music and disco music is suitable to dance the Cha-cha-cha.

Suitable number Cha-cha-cha:

David Guetta ft. Kelly Rowland - When Love Takes Over
Geri Halliwell - It's Raining Men
Travolta & O. Newton John - Summer Nights
Kylie Minogue - Can`t Get You Out Of My Mind
Lou Bega – Gentlemen
Pussycat Dolls – Sway
Usher - Scream
Westlife - Uptown Girl
Willie Rosario – Watusi Boogaloo

Tango

The tango is a sensual, seductive dance of love. Originally this dance comes from Argentina. The tango is performed on a two-four time song.

Suitable songs tango:

Shakira - Objection
Nino Ferrer – Agata
Vito Disalvo - Tango in the park
Armik - Tango Flamenco
Chitarra Romana - La Guitarra Romana
Stanley Black and his orchestra - Ole Guapa
Alfred Hause's Tango Orchestra - Du Schwarzer Zigeuner
Capri Fischer (Leroy Anderson) - Blue Tango
Paul Bateman - Last Tango In Paris
Moulin Rouge - El Tango de Roxanne
Stanley Black and His orchetstra (Ángel Villoldo) - El Choclo
Fabian Dobler, Astor Piazzolla - Libertango
Tony Bennett - The Boulevard of Broken Dreams
Plácido Domingo - Jealousy Tango
Djordje Balasevic - Balkanski Tango
Carlos Gardél - Volver
Gota Project - Época
Lalo Schifrin & Orchestra Ensemble - Quejas de Bandoneón
John Powell - Assassin's Tango (From Mr. & Mrs. Smith)

Rhumba

Rhumba is also known as the ballroom rumba. This dance is popular but also a difficult ballroom dance. The Rumba is performed on a two-four time or quadruple time. During this dance, the man tries to seduce the woman. Sounds tempting, right?

Suitable numbers rhumba: