4 Tips for Easing First-Dance Performance Anxiety

Photo: Cottonwood Road Photography | Venue: The Gallery

Remember when the newlywed “first dance” was just two crazy kids, swaying around on the dance floor to their fave sentimental tune? Yeah, neither do we. Probably because for at least the last 5 years or so, first dances have become major productions: the perfect song choice, the dramatic entrance, the fancy footwork, the…professional choreography?? If you’re feeling first-dance pressure, you’re in good company. And we’re here to help, with these tips for bringing the fun back to this much-loved wedding tradition.

1. Include your soon-to-be spouse in the first-dance planning process. After all, he or she is the one you’ll be dancing with! Take a step back and try to remember if there were any songs you both liked while dating. Is there a song that has particular meaning to you? Is there an artist you both love? Is there a musical style you’re both more comfortable dancing to?
2. To ease the pressure you may be feeling about dancing in the spotlight, consider taking a series of dance lessons together. These can be a great date-night activity, followed by dinner or a post-con cocktail and laugh sesh, looking back on his sweet attempts at salsa, or your dramatic “dip” recovery. Pre-wedding dance classes can also serve as a way to explore what music style fits both of you best.
3. When selecting a wedding reception first-dance song, don’t forget about the “classics.” There’s a reason why you can never go wrong with a timeless standard for your first spin as spouses. Classic songs from the 40s and 50s are always in style, and any qualified Houston wedding band or wedding DJ will definitely be able to fulfill this request.
4. Beware of pop music. Charting songs and Spotify hits typically are in for like…five minutes in the grand scheme of things…and then forgotten. You’ll want to pick a first-dance song you and your groom will love in the moment, be delighted to relive in your wedding photos and wedding video over and over again, and dance to, in intimate moments, for years to come.