Nervous About Your First Dance?

Image courtesy of Tiko Giorgadze, Unsplash

What should you do if you’re feeling nervous about your first dance? Does being the center of attention make you feel uneasy? Do you have “two left feet,” or does your partner? No worries - you’re not the first and certainly not the last to feel this way about your first dance.

Something to remember is that no one is (or should be!) judging you. Instead, they would rather see you, the new couple, enjoying each others struggles with staying on beat, laughing, filling the dance floor with love and admiration. After all, that was the idea behind having a first dance was “…considered as the official opening of dancing by the newly married couple who were the guests of honor. The first dance between the bride and groom is the most awaited moment for the newly wed as well as the guests. It shows the love and unity between the new couple.” (Medium, 2018)

So, to ease your mind a little, what can you do to feel less nervous about your first dance?

Practice, Practice

The old adage rings true here. If you have an idea of the timing of the song you’ve selected for your first song, you’ll likely dance to the beat better. You’ll know where the song ends, the chorus begins, and if you’re really uncomfortable - you’ll know how much longer to go until it’s over. :)

Take a Tip from a Pro

As well as practice - you can go ahead and go the extra mile if you desire and learn from the pros. Search for “ballroom dance classes near me.” If you can at least get down the basics of dancing, you’ll automatically feel more comfortable.

Don’t Forget to Breathe

Don’t hold your breath - which is something we tend to do when we’re nervous and thinking about all the eyes on us. As well as not passing out, you’ll actually have better clarity and remember the moment better as time marches on.

Wear the Proper Footwear

Those sky-high heels are gorgeous - but can you really dance in them? And if you can get through the first dance in them - are they going to be comfortable as the night goes on, or will you blister during your first dance? And, it doesn’t just land on the ladies - men, make sure your shoes are broken in a little bit, you’re wearing appropriate socks, and the right size so you don’t slosh right out of them. Nothing is worse then tripping or falling out of your shoes during the first dance! If you’re more comfortable at your feet, you’re less likely to focus on your feet and more likely to focus on the moment.

Still feeling nervous about the first dance? Luckily, if you’re not really feeling it - wedding traditions are a thing of a past and you don’t HAVE to have a first dance with just you and your new partner. How about including everyone instead by choosing an energetic, upbeat song to open right into dancing? Instead of a dance, if speaking is more your thing - why not give a toast or a speech from the bride and groom?

Now that you’re feeling better about the first dance - be sure to check out our first dance Spotify playlist, solely put together for helping brides and grooms pick out these important songs! Most importantly, relax and enjoy your day!