Franklin Dean
There are several dances that are considered traditional at wedding receptions, such as the first dance, where the couple takes their first spin as newlyweds, and the parents' dance, where the couple enjoys a special moment with their parents. Many receptions also include lesser-known moments like the anniversary dance, which salutes couples who have been married the longest, and the money dance, where guests pin money to the bride and groom's clothing or slip them some cash. The order of these dances can vary, but they are all meant to spotlight honoured guests and create a meaningful celebration.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of dances | 4 main dances, but there can be more |
| First dance | Performed by the newlyweds, usually immediately after their grand entrance |
| Parent dances | Father-daughter and mother-son dances; can be performed at several points during the reception |
| Wedding party dance | Performed by the wedding party, including the best man, maid of honour, groomsmen, bridesmaids, ring bearer, flower girl, etc. |
| Anniversary dance | Performed by married couples, usually towards the end of the reception |
| Money dance | Guests surround the couple and pin money to their clothes or slip them some cash |
| Cake-cutting dance | Performed after dinner or later in the reception |
| Last dance | Can be slow or upbeat, depending on whether there's an after-party |
| Cultural dances | E.g. the hora at Jewish weddings, raas garba at Indian weddings |
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First dance
The first dance at a wedding reception is a special moment for the newlyweds to share their first dance as a married couple. It is a highly anticipated moment and often happens immediately after the couple's grand entrance into the reception, with all eyes on them.
There are no set rules about who dances first at a wedding, but traditionally, the first dance is reserved for the married couple. This tradition dates back to when the groom would steal his bride and dance with her around the fire before the celebrations. Over time, this evolved into a fertility ceremony when brides were bought from their fathers. Today, it is seen as a romantic moment and a continuation of the couple's marriage vows.
The couple can choose to dance alone or invite other couples to join them after the first verse and chorus. Some couples take dance lessons, while others prefer to improvise. The first dance can be a slow or fast song, depending on the couple's preference.
At Jewish weddings, the hora, a lively circle dance, often follows the first dance. The couple and their parents are lifted on chairs while the guests dance in a circular line. This dance can also be done after dinner to kick off the main dancing.
The first dance is an important part of the wedding reception, setting the tone for the rest of the celebration. It is a time for the couple to let loose and enjoy their special day.
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Parent dances
Dancing is one of the most popular wedding reception activities, and certain traditional wedding dances, like parent dances, make the celebration even more meaningful.
Father-daughter and mother-son dances
The father-daughter dance is the original parent dance and the source of the tradition. In heterosexual couples, the bride dances with her father, and the groom dances with his mother. The mother-son dance is a more recent tradition, added so that mothers and grooms can also share this special moment. Sometimes, parent dances occur immediately after the first dance. Other times, they take place towards the end of dinner, after toasts, or after the cake cutting.
Combined parent dances
Some couples choose to combine the father-daughter and mother-son dances into one event. This can be done to save time, avoid being the centre of attention, honour parents evenly, or better fit a specific song. If you're going to do the combined parent dance immediately after the first dance, the transition will be difficult with your guests already on the floor. Couples may also choose to honour other important parental figures, like grandparents, or stepparents.
Choreography
Many couples and their parents hire dancing coaches to teach them how to dance for their wedding. Some dancing coaches will even choreograph a dance, allowing couples and their parents to shine on the big day.
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Wedding party dance
Wedding receptions are often a time for guests to let loose on the dance floor. However, there are also several traditional wedding dances that spotlight honoured guests. These dances are usually performed in a specific order, although this can vary depending on the couple's preferences and cultural or religious traditions.
The first dance is a special moment for the newlyweds to take the floor together for the first time as a married couple. This dance typically occurs immediately after the couple is introduced, setting the tone for the rest of the reception. The couple may choose to choreograph this dance or simply wing it.
Following the first dance, the parents of the newlyweds take the floor for the father-daughter and mother-son dances. This is a special moment for the couple to honour the people who raised them. The order of the parent dances can vary, and they may occur at several points throughout the reception.
The wedding party dance comes next, with the best man and maid of honour leading the way, followed by the groom dancing with the maid of honour and the bride dancing with the best man. All the groomsmen and bridesmaids join in, as well as the ring bearer and flower girl. This dance is a fun and energetic way to get the entire wedding party involved.
After the wedding party dance, the reception usually transitions to a more general dance where all the guests are invited to join the dance floor. This is a great opportunity for everyone to let loose and celebrate the newlyweds. The DJ or band plays a crucial role in emceeing and setting the mood for these dances.
Towards the end of the reception, there are often other traditional dances such as the money dance, anniversary dance, and cake-cutting dance. The money dance, also known as the dollar dance or apron dance, involves guests pinning money to the bride's dress or slipping it to the couple as a way to help them start their married life. The anniversary dance salutes the married couples in attendance, especially those who have been married the longest. The cake-cutting dance is a fun way to transition into the cake-cutting ceremony, often accompanied by a sweet song.
The last dance is a chance to bring everyone together one final time before the reception ends. The song choice for the last dance can vary depending on whether there is an after-party or not. A slow song can help guests cool down, while an upbeat song can keep the energy high as they transition to the after-party.
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Cake-cutting dance
The cake-cutting dance is one of the most exciting parts of a wedding reception, and it is often followed by stunning photos. The cake-cutting dance is usually done after the first dance, but before the last dance.
The cake is typically displayed prominently throughout the reception for guests to admire and take photos of. It is often set up in the wedding breakfast room and then moved to the dance floor for cutting. The cutting of the cake is usually announced by a DJ or MC, and guests gather around to watch the couple cut the first slice. The couple might also feed cake to each other, which makes for fun photos. The cake-cutting dance can be a great opportunity for the couple to relax and enjoy the moment, as it is often one of the first times they are introduced to the reception as a married pair.
There is no fixed order for the cake-cutting dance, and it is ultimately up to the couple to decide when they want to cut the cake. However, there are some traditions and considerations to keep in mind. For example, in some cultures, the cake is cut early on, after the grand entrance or introductions, so that it can be served right after dinner. This way, the couple can ensure that all their guests get to see and taste the cake. On the other hand, some couples choose to cut the cake about an hour from the end of the reception, as they don't want to risk having a lot of leftover cake.
The cake-cutting dance can also be a great opportunity for the wedding party to get involved. The best man and maid of honour might take the stage first, followed by the groom dancing with the maid of honour and the bride dancing with the best man. All the groomsmen will then pick a bridesmaid, and dance with them, followed by the ring bearer and flower girl. This is a fun way to get everyone in the wedding party involved and honour the couple.
The cake-cutting dance is a special moment in the wedding reception, and it can be a great opportunity for the couple to relax, have fun, and include their wedding party in the celebrations.
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Last dance
The last dance of a wedding reception is a special moment, often overlooked in the planning process, but it is the "last" that you will "long for and remember".
The last dance is saved for when the reception is ending. The song played last could be slow or upbeat, depending on the mood you wish to set. If there is no after-party, a slow song is recommended to help excited and tipsy guests cool down. If there is an after-party, an upbeat song will keep the energy high. The lyrics and tempo of the song should be considered, and the song should be wedding-appropriate. It can be a people-pleaser that gets guests excited or a romantic tune.
The last dance can include two songs. The first is a slow song to get the couples on the dance floor, and the second can be a more upbeat song.
After the last dance, guests will usually proceed outside the reception venue for a final send-off with bubbles, sparklers, or fireworks.
Some songs to consider for your last dance include:
- "Livin' on a Prayer"
- "In My Life"
- "At Last"
- "Never Going Home Tonight"
- "Just The Two Of Us"
- "Stand By Me"
- "Memories"
- "Young Forever"
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Frequently asked questions
The first dance is when the newlyweds take to the dance floor for the first time as a married couple. This dance usually happens immediately after the couple is introduced, to keep the energy high.
There are several dances that couples may choose to include in their wedding reception. The most common dances are the first dance, the parents' dance, the anniversary dance, and the money dance. There are also cultural dances, such as the hora at Jewish weddings, and the raas garba, a night of folk dances that takes place before Indian weddings.
The order of dances at a wedding reception can vary, but typically, the first dance is followed by the parents' dance, and then the wedding party dance. The anniversary dance usually happens towards the end of the reception, and the money dance can be performed at the end.
