Having difficulty choosing the right song for your first dance as a married couple? Here are some tips and considerations as you think about music choices. Remember, you can always ask your dance teacher for advice – that’s what we’re here for!
Do You Have a Song that Means Something to the Two of You?
Sometimes there is an obvious song that is “your song” or a song that reminds you of your partner or relationship. If so, we can use the approach of picking the song first, then deciding on a dance style that fits the music. This is a great approach if you want your song or lyrics to have a special meaning for you.
Are You Going for a Particular Dance Style or Vibe?
Some of our students want a certain feel or vibe to their song, in which case we can recommend some songs if you need some inspiration. For instance, some of our students might want a fast dance vibe, ask for songs they could do a traditional slow dance to, hustle or swing, a non-traditional vibe, a country song, a 2-Step, a latin song, and the list goes on. With this approach, we can pick a style of dance or feel first, then choose a song.
What If Your Favorite Song Is Difficult to Dance To?
The most important thing is to save enough time to learn to dance and not wait until the last minute. The majority of our wedding dance students are beginner dancers who have no formal dance training and all swear they have two left feet. Sometimes the dread of dancing makes them put it off until there is very little time left to take the lessons they need to feel confident on the floor. With that being said, even one or two lessons can help you to look and feel better on your big day, but we have to be realistic about what can be done in 1-2 lessons versus 5 or more lessons.
If you have a difficult song to dance to, we can usually still help you dance better to it. The biggest issues with songs are often that the beat is difficult to hear for one or both partners, there is a wacky rhythm of some kind in the song (although this is unusual), or the song is too long. We can go over dance style options and music shortening options with you during the lessons.
Consider the Length of the Song
If your song is 3:30 minutes or more, it is considered a long song. You may want to consider shortening your music or dance if you find yourself with an extraordinarily long song. Many songs include long introductions, repeated choruses, instrumental sections, or endings that can be edited. Editing the music can help keep the dance interesting and allow you to use the strongest or most meaningful parts of the song.
A shorter dance can also be easier to learn and remember, especially when you are balancing lessons and practice with all of your other wedding preparations. It gives you time to create a complete beginning, middle, and ending without feeling as though you need to fill several minutes with choreography.
The right length depends on the song, the type of dance you want, and how comfortable you feel performing in front of your guests. Your instructor can help you decide whether the full version works or whether an edit would create a better experience.
Let Us Help You Decide
If you are choosing between a few possibilities, bring them with you. We can help you determine which dance styles fit the music, whether the tempo will be comfortable, and whether an edited version might work better.
At Amanda & Corey Dance, we help couples create wedding dances that suit their personalities, comfort level, and vision for the wedding. Whether you want something simple and natural or a fully choreographed first dance, we can help you choose a song and create an approach that works for the two of you.
Schedule a wedding dance consultation, or contact us to ask whether the song you are considering will work for your first dance.