When Should We Do Our First Dance?

Just picture it - your first dance as husband and wife!

Putting together a wedding day timeline of your big day can be tough. You’ve got the bridal party to worry about, caterers, florists, reception hall staff… let alone all of the mini-events throughout the reception. Sometimes, it’s best to start with a “central,” “big” mini-event - and it’s one of the best and biggest - your first dance. So when in the timeline should you do your first dance?

There is really no “right” or “wrong” when it comes to when to do your first dance - but there are a couple of times in the timeline that make sense logistically.

1. Right After The Meal is Over - and Why This Time Makes Sense

   This is the most traditional time for the first dance. This works well because everyone is completed with their meal, and all eyes are on you. This can even be pushed further into when everyone is still eating but the bride and groom have completed their meal.

   This time also works well because it’s easy to segue right into the mother-son, father-daughter, bridal party dance, etc. right afterwards.

   Something to consider if you do push it into when people are still eating is that their attention may be on eating and conversation, and not you.

2. Right After Your Grand Entrance - and Why This Time Makes Sense

   This time works well for a couple of reasons. This time works good for nervous couples who maybe just want to “get it out of the way” - who maybe aren’t into being the center of attention. This also works well if there is a special dance segment you have prepared/practiced.

   Sometimes this doesn’t make a lot of sense in the grand scheme, though. The momentum of your grand entrance, leading right to the dance floor really works well only if you’re not planning on doing any other bridal party dances, mother-son, father-daughter dances. You CAN, of course, do those after your first dance - but it should be considered that your grand entrance is done before everyone eats - and your guests have likely been waiting for you to complete your pictures, through a cocktail hour, etc. and are ready to start the party.

There really is no “right” or “wrong,” here - it’s whatever you feel comfortable with, and what makes the most sense for your type of wedding.

Having a hard time coming up with a good song for your first dance? Click here for our Spotify playlist, full of different choices for a first dance.