When planning your wedding timeline, you may be wondering when the first dance should occur. Should it happen immediately after dinner? Does the wedding first dance occur when you’re announced at the reception? Here are some suggestions for when your first dance as newlyweds should happen, based on pro advice and experience.
When to Do Your Wedding First Dance
Here’s when the first dance used to happen.
Years ago, the first dance traditionally occurred when the couple arrived at the reception. The names were announced and they entered the reception, their song began to play, and they shared their first dance as newlyweds. This is perfectly fine if you wish, but this traditional rule has changes over the past decades because it doesn’t work as well for the flow of the reception.
Plus, guests are hungry: they’ve been waiting through the ceremony, the photos, and the cocktail hour to eat. They’re ready to eat, your caterer has their sights on dinner, and while it may not sound like a big difference, that extra time for the dancing does cut into dinner a bit.
Here’s when the first dance should happen instead.
The Best Time for the First Dance at a Wedding
Instead, the best time to have your first dance at your wedding is immediately after dinner. Why? It kicks off the dance portion of the evening! It is the first dance that leads into the additional wedding dances, so it’s a great way to keep the flow moving for the evening by doing it at this time.
Timeline
Here’s how you can plan for your wedding reception when it comes to the dances.
• Dinner is served with dinner music.
• Then, following dinner, the DJ or band will call you to the dance floor and play your song as you do your wedding First Dance as newlyweds.
• Following this, the other dances will take place.
• Lastly, the dance floor opens up for everyone!
By doing it this way, you’ll keep a wonderful flow going, as dancing takes place at the same time. I’ve seen it done both ways and it’s more memorable to wait for that momentous First Dance after dinner.
Just try not to spill anything on your dress while eating. ;)
Hope it helps,
Emma
