Franklin Dean
Your wedding dress is one of the most important parts of your big day, but it can also be one of the most restrictive when it comes to dancing. The silhouette, sleeves, and train length will all influence your dance moves, so it's important to consider your choreography when choosing your dress. If you plan to dance in close contact with your partner, a long and full skirt will be difficult to fit between your legs and theirs. A fitted dress is great for simple lifts, but a big, full ballgown will require a more traditional dance frame, like the upright posture of a waltz. If your dress has a long train, consider having it shortened or bustled to make it easier to move around in. Practicing your first dance in your wedding dress is also a good way to ensure that you'll be comfortable on the day.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Dance style | Waltz, foxtrot, salsa, swing, hip-hop routine |
| Dance moves | Lifts, spins, dips, high school sway |
| Dance choreography | Simple choreographies, subtle choreographies |
| Veil | Sufficiently pinned up |
| Jacket | Tailcoats |
| Train | Well-fitted bustles, shortened |
| Petticoat | Light fabric with crinolined hems |
| Silhouette | A-line, mermaid gown |
| Sleeves | Strapless, transparent straps |
| Shoe type | Flats, wedges, sneakers |
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What You'll Learn
Practice dancing in your wedding dress
Dancing in a wedding dress can be challenging, but with some preparation and practice, you can gracefully move across the dance floor on your special day. Here are some tips to help you practice dancing in your wedding dress:
Choose the Right Dress for Dancing
The style of your wedding dress will significantly impact your dance moves. Consider the silhouette, sleeves, and train length when selecting your dress. A mermaid gown, for instance, restricts leg movements, while an off-the-shoulder neckline limits arm movements. If you plan to dance closely with your partner, a dress with a long and full skirt can be challenging to navigate. An A-line dress or a fitted gown might be better options as they allow for more intimate choreography.
Practice with the Right Footwear
Your choice of footwear is crucial. Bring your wedding shoes to your fittings and practice sessions. This will help you get used to the height and movement of the shoes, and you'll be able to determine if any adjustments are needed. If you're wearing a delicate lace dress, consider changing into flats or wedge heels to avoid tearing the fabric with your heels.
Practice with Similar Attire
If you don't want your partner to see your dress before the wedding, practice dancing in a long skirt that mimics the length and material of your wedding dress. This will help you get accustomed to the flow and movement of the fabric. Additionally, consider wearing a dress with a similar silhouette and length to your dance lessons to get a true sense of how you'll move on the dance floor.
Master the Choreography
Whether you're learning a choreographed routine or keeping it simple, practice the specific dance moves you plan to do on your wedding day. Try out different steps, spins, and dips to ensure your dress can handle the choreography. If your dress has a train, bustle, or petticoat, pay extra attention to how these elements affect your movements.
Adjust the Dress as Needed
If your dress restricts your movements, consider making alterations. You can shorten the train, adjust the hemline, or add bustles to make your dress more danceable. Ensure your dress fits snugly to prevent it from sliding up or falling down during your dance. If you're wearing a strapless dress, make sure it's well-fitted and secure to avoid any wardrobe malfunctions.
Remember, the key to dancing confidently in your wedding dress is to practice, be mindful of the dress's design and your movements, and make any necessary adjustments. By following these tips, you'll be able to gracefully glide and groove across the dance floor on your big day.
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Know your dress's limitations
The silhouette of your wedding dress will impact your dance moves the most. A mermaid gown, for instance, will restrict the size of your movements, especially with your feet and legs, while an off-the-shoulder neckline will restrict your arm movements. If your dress has a full skirt, you may not be able to get too close to your partner, so a traditional dance frame, like the upright posture of a waltz, will work better than a close and intimate dance style.
If your dress has a tulle petticoat, practice sliding your feet while dancing instead of taking steps, as heels can easily get caught in the tulle, leading to a tear or a trip. If you can keep your heels on the ground, you can avoid snags.
If your dress has a train, ensure it has well-fitted bustles that are strong and secure, and that you and your maid of honour know how to use them. You can also shorten the train to a length that you're comfortable moving around in.
If your dress has a hoop, check if you can comfortably perform lifts. If your dress has sleeves, make sure they don't restrict the movement of your hands. If they do, keep your hands low against your body during the dance.
If you're wearing a strapless wedding dress, ensure it is well-fitted and won't slip off during the dance. If necessary, tighten the bodice or use transparent straps.
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Choose the right undergarments
Choosing the right undergarments is essential to keeping your wedding dress in place while dancing. Here are some tips to help you select the appropriate undergarments:
First, consider the fabric of your undergarments. Some undergarments, like bridal slips, petticoats, or crinolines, are made with a layer of unbreathable polyester material that can cause discomfort and excessive sweating. If your dream dress has this type of under layer, consult a seamstress to see if it can be replaced with a more breathable fabric. This is especially important if you're getting married outdoors in warm weather.
Second, ensure that your undergarments provide a secure fit for your dress. This is crucial if you're wearing a strapless or form-fitting gown. Consider sewing a bridal bra, bustier, or elastic waistbands into the dress to prevent it from sliding up or falling down. A well-fitted undergarment will ensure your dress stays in place while you move and dance.
Third, if you plan on wearing a gown with a hoop, practice lifts beforehand to ensure you can perform them comfortably. Check the range of motion in your arms and ensure the sleeves don't restrict your hand movements, especially during turns or spins. If the sleeves cause issues, you can modify your dance moves slightly by keeping your hands low and close to your body.
Fourth, when choosing undergarments, consider the overall silhouette and length of your wedding dress. For floor-length dresses, you may want to add a petticoat or underskirt to create fullness and help keep the skirt away from your legs. However, avoid excessive hoops or stiff crinoline that may hinder your movement. Opt for light fabrics with crinoline hems to achieve both fullness and ease of movement.
Lastly, practice dancing in your complete wedding outfit, including the undergarments, to ensure everything feels comfortable and secure. Try out different moves like lifting your arms, twisting, and turning to ensure your undergarments don't restrict your movements. This will give you peace of mind and allow you to make any necessary adjustments before your big day.
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Prepare your partner
If you are wearing a dress with a long train, your partner should be aware that they may need to help you bustle your train. Practise this with them beforehand, so they know how to help you on the day.
If you are wearing a mermaid-style dress, inform your partner that you will not be able to take big steps, and that you will need to dance in a more restricted space. If you are wearing a ball gown, your partner should be aware that they will not be able to get as close to you as they might like, so a traditional waltz may be more appropriate than a high-school sway.
If you are wearing a strapless dress, practise your dance moves to ensure that the dress does not slip off. If it does, consider tightening the bodice or using transparent straps.
If you are wearing a dress with a hoop, practise lifts with your partner to ensure that they can be done comfortably.
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Adjust your choreography
The style of your wedding dress will impact your dance moves, so it's important to consider the choreography in relation to your chosen outfit. If you're planning a choreographed first dance, be sure to inform your choreographer of any movements that may be restricted by the style and fit of your dress. For example, a skirt that hugs your body or a mermaid gown will limit your movements, especially if it's tight around the knees.
If your dress has a long train, you may want to consider shortening it or adding a bustle to make it more manageable for dancing. A bustle can be created using loops and buttons, and it will free up your feet while still preserving the integrity of your dress.
Practice your choreography in your wedding dress or a similar silhouette to ensure that you can move comfortably and that your dress won't restrict your dance moves. If your dress has a tulle petticoat, for instance, you may need to slide your feet instead of taking steps to avoid catching your heel in the fabric.
Additionally, consider the style of dance you choose. A traditional waltz may work better with a ball gown, as it allows for a more upright posture, while an A-line dress lets you get close to your partner without the skirt getting in the way. If you plan to dance in close contact, be aware that a long and full skirt can be more difficult to fit between your legs and your partner's.
Remember, the most important thing is to feel comfortable and confident on your wedding day. Make sure your dress fits properly and consider any adjustments that will allow you to move with ease and grace on the dance floor.
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Frequently asked questions
If your dress has a train, consider having it bustled so that it doesn't get in the way when you're dancing. You can also pin up the train to avoid tripping over it.
Flats or wedges are the best choice for dancing as they're less likely to get caught in your dress. If you want to wear heels, remember to lift up a corner of your dress when you're dancing.
The dance moves you can do will depend on the style of your dress. If your dress is tight around the hips and thighs, like a mermaid gown, you'll need to take smaller steps. If your dress has a full skirt, you may not be able to get too close to your partner, so a traditional waltz might work better than a high school sway.
It's important to practice dancing in your wedding dress before the big day. If you haven't chosen your dress yet, you can still practice by wearing a long skirt to get used to the length and movement. During your final fittings, try out any choreography you're planning to make sure your dress can handle the moves.
