I love attending weddings because I love love. But I also love a good dance party. I always wear comfortable shoes and dresses I can move in because weddings are one of the only places that we get to dance with our friends and with our significant other and really feel that high of being together.
Melissa & Cory, Camellia Gardens, Click Away Photography
Unfortunately, the global pandemic is forcing couples to reimagine their ceremonies and receptions to reduce the chance of spreading the virus. From mini and micro-weddings, to shift receptions and Zoom dance parties, creative couples will have to come up with ways to get married and still have the wedding of their dreams.
But because this virus is forcing so many changes, and because change can be stressful, I would encourage couples to think about all of the traditions you can keep the exact same as you have planned when reimagining your wedding.
One of those traditions is the first dance.
Likely, you will have been locked down with your spouse-to-be, which means you shouldn’t have to wear a mask around each other during the ceremony or reception. Your first dance is one of the major moments and most important traditions during the reception, right up there with cake cutting and a champagne toast.
If your wedding is going to be tiny, the first dance can be a intimate moment to really show your love for each other.
Adam & Becca, Whitehead Manor, Anchor & Veil Photography
If you are planning to live stream your wedding to guests that can’t travel to be there, or have a videographer capture the day, a first dance is another really special moment to share with those who can’t be there.
If your friends and family will be viewing your wedding through photos or videos after the fact, it’s even more important that you really nail your first dance (because they will actually be paying attention!) Make sure it counts!
Samantha & Darin, Isil Dohnke Photography
Click on the image below to learn more about First Dance 101, my online tutorial for absolute beginners who want to learn a simple, romantic first dance routine and skills they can use for the rest of their lives together. Or explore all of my online programs.
Keep the first dance, lose the dance party?
Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem like a dance party as we’ve known them is really in the cards for weddings this summer. For some couples, this will be a relief. But for those couple who love to dance or want to have a dance party, this could be heartbreaking.
Consider hosting a Zoom dance party for your reception. Host your own “Club Quarantine” like DJ D-Nice. Have your friends dress up like they are attending the wedding, turn down their lights and dance, dance, dance!
Or maybe you can pass out glow in the dark masks instead of glow sticks?
Whatever happens, make sure you are staying safe and protecting your family and friends!
And if you end up making the difficult decision to postpone your reception to 2021, you have even more time to finally learn how to dance for your wedding online. Take advantage of your quarantine time and learn something new, together.
If you’d like to get started with private dance lessons, head over to my Get Started page and tell me all about your dream first dance.
If you are looking for an affordable and fun way to learn a simple first dance at home, check out my online wedding dance programs for absolute beginners and start dancing tonight!
XOXO,
Alex
