Setting up your wedding can be a whirlwind of picking a venue, deciding on a menu, selecting a color scheme, and even thinking about wedding dances. Figuring out what dances you should learn for your wedding doesn’t have to be a source of stress, however. Generally, wedding receptions include:
- Your first dance with your spouse
- A father-daughter dance
- Group dances
Our team of dance experts at World Champion Productions in Nashville, TN, is here to teach you what you need to know to strut your stuff on the wedding dance floor. Let’s go over the styles of dance that work for each of these categories of dance.
Learn the Moves for Your First Dance
Traditionally, you’ll share the first dance at your wedding reception with your new spouse. All eyes are on you as you take the first spin around the dancefloor with your partner. Planning the dance style you want ahead of time helps make this moment magical and reduces any possible stress.
There are several appropriate dance styles for your first dance. Some options include:
A Simple Sway
Many married couples want something simple for their first dance. The sway allows you to just hold onto your partner, swaying back and forth to the music you picked.
The Classic Waltz
The waltz represents a timeless — but still simple — option for your first dance. You’ll need to learn a box step and some turns to perform a waltz.
Get into the Swing of Things
Interested in a more up-tempo routine? Foxtrots and a swing dance boost energy at a wedding reception. However, these dances are more complex. Wedding dance lessons allow you to get the steps right before your big day.
Spice it Up with Latin Dancing
Several styles of Latin dance make great first dances for weddings. Consider the rumba, mambo, or salsa to enjoy a more sensual experience for your first dance.
Get Ready for the Father-Daughter Dance
Many of your options remain the same for the father-daughter dance at a wedding reception. This dance typically occurs after the first dance in the reception. Choosing the correct dance requires communication and the selection of moves that both dancers feel comfortable performing.
A lot of families go with swaying for the father-daughter dance. However, if you feel more adventurous, consider options such as:
- The quickstep
- The foxtrot
- The waltz
Lessons with the professionals at World Champion Productions help you feel confident in your dance moves when it’s time for your big day.
Group Dances for the Wedding Party
Generally, after the two traditional dances, people cut loose and dance on their own during a wedding reception. However, planning wedding party dances (or group dances) is a fun way to encourage people onto the dance floor to have fun.
Many group dances fall into the category of “line dances.” These dances require everyone to perform the same moves, generally while standing in a line. There are line dances for many different musical styles.
Some of the most popular line dances include:
- The Macarena
- The Locomotion
- The Conga
The song “Thriller” by Michael Jackson also works very well for line dancing. However, the Thriller dance requires a bit more practice than many of the other line dances. It’s a good idea to practice the moves before attempting it on the dance floor.
Sometimes, group dances do not involve everyone at the reception. For example, the bridal party might dance together to celebrate the marriage, allowing everyone to have fun and demonstrate the skills they developed together.
Personalize Your Group Dances at the Wedding
Your wedding reception provides you with a chance to show off the music you love. Personalizing the songs that play also helps you direct the kinds of line dances you’ll want to learn.
Let’s review some of the most popular dances for different musical genres, right now:
Line Dances for Rock Music
Rock music gets the blood pumping and provides some groovy opportunities to dance and enjoy yourself. Consider songs like:
- “Sweet Caroline” by Neil Diamond
- “Time Warp” from The Rocky Horror Picture Show
- “Twist and Shout” by The Beatles
Keep in mind that some songs, like the “Time Warp,” include directions in the lyrics that tell your guests what steps to perform, which often makes line dancing easier. Other dances require more preparation, as the singers don’t spell out the dance steps in the music.
Line Dances for Country Music
Many of us associate line dancing with country music, first and foremost. These songs rely on side-stepping and moves associated with horse riding (expect to mime a lasso at least once)! Some of the most popular country line dancing songs include:
- “Any Man of Mine” by Shania Twain
- “Cotton Eye Joe” by Rednex
- “Old Town Road” by Lil Nas X
Consider the interests of your guests when deciding on group songs for wedding dances. Picking crowd favorites help get people onto the floor.
Line Dances for Pop Music
Interested in showing off your dancing moves with pop music wedding dances? These songs are often a good option because they’re familiar to many people. You have a lot of options, including:
- “YMCA” by The Village People
- “The Cha-Cha Slide” by Mr. C the Slide Man
- “Gangnam Style” by Psy
We recommend picking famous dance songs when planning your wedding line dance. Consider telling your guests which songs you’re going to pick so that they’re ready to take part. Finally, make sure you learn the songs yourself so that you’re ready to lead the way onto the dancefloor.
Get Ready to Learn Dances for Your Wedding
Consider all your options for learning dances for your wedding by working with our team at World Champion Productions in Nashville, TN. We’re here to help you get ready for your first dance, father-daughter dance, and any group dances planned for your wedding. Find out about our free dance lesson and start learning wedding dances today by calling us at (615) 264-1156.