The first dance is a very symbolic and significant part of a wedding. We have all witnessed that magic moment, where the lights dim and soft music starts to play as the bride and groom take to the floor for their first dance as husband and wife. Due to the significance of this dance, couples are increasingly going that extra mile to make it unique and special. Traditionally a first dance is a slow song of sentimental value. But there has been a growing trend coming out of the US of a different type of first dance, where your traditional dance has been transformed into a show stopping performance. If you feel confident busting a move on the dance floor, emulating this trend could be a great way to have a unique first dance at your wedding.

First Dance Performance

The US trend involves brides and grooms using their first dance as a way of entertaining their guests as opposed to having a private moment which the guests watch silently. To entertain their guests couples have started to change their first dance to fast paced, audience interactive performances to unconventional songs such as “Baby Got Back” or “Thriller” complete with matching dance moves.

Treating your first dance as a performance is unique and provides great entertainment for your guests as well as memorable moments for your  wedding video. Perhaps the most common dance adopted by couples who want something special is to emulate the top You Tube video dance routine titled “The Evolution of Dance”. Here a bride and groom dance there way through different styles of dance including the chicken dance, YMCA and the Moonwalk. In the following video, Brian and Katie delighted their guests with their rendition of this routine.

Other routines adopted  by couples have included the dance routine from Dirty Dancing, the Hustle and the thriller dance. Try and stay away from cheesy routines such as the Macarena or chicken dance as these will be remembered by your guests but for all the wrong reasons.

First Dance – Transform and Surprise
Another trend is for couples to start off with a slow, conventional dance, which transforms into a fast dance number. This is a great way to surprise your guests and is definitely unique. In the video below a couple start off with a slow dance and end up surprising and delighting their guests by transitioning into a Michael Jackson dance number. This is a great way to surprise your guests and will no doubt create a memorable and lasting impression.

Unique Song

If performing the “nut bush” in front of your in laws is outside of your comfort zone but you would still like to have a unique first dance perhaps you could consider having a unique song. Bearing in mind that any unique song you pick should have some sentimental value to you and your partner, it is still a way to place a signature mark on your wedding that your guests and you will remember. A great idea is to have a funny yet sweet song. A recent wedding that I attended had Grow Old with You by Adam Sandler from the movie The Wedding Singer. This went down as a hit as the song its hilarious yet still  romantic! It definitely had all the guests talking! See below for the lyrics and for a list of unique songs.

Take Lessons

Having a unique first dance does not mean you have to perform a never before seen masterpiece. A good and simple way to make your first dance unique and special is to take professional dancing classes with your partner prior to your wedding so that on the day, instead of just swaying awkwardly from side to side you and your partner can have perform dips and swirls and other polished moves. This is a less overt manner of having a first dance to remember. If you would like to learn how to dance with your groom in the comfort of your own home click here for fantastic online basic salsa dance lessons to spice up your first dance. In the video below, a couples first dance is to a beautiful waltz to Henry  Mancini’s Moon River. The guests certainly enjoyed it! Simple dances that can be learnt include Fox Trot, Swing and the more popular Waltz. If you want to make it a little more sensual you could also consider doing the Rumba, Salsa or the Tango.

Tips
Choose an unexpected/different song to surprise your guests.
Show your guests your fun and showy side by performing a dance routine.
Transform and Surprise – Interrupt your slow dance with a fast paced number then return to the former
Learn to Dance – Properly. Take formal waltz and slow dance lessons for a beautiful first dance.

For inspiration search video sharing websites for wedding dance videos.

Lyrics – Grow Old with You - Adam Sandler

I wanna make you smile whenever you’re sad
Carry you around when your arthritis is bad
All I wanna do is grow old with you

I’ll get your medicine when your tummy aches
Build you a fire if the furnace breaks
Oh it could be so nice, growing old with you

I’ll miss you
I’ll kiss you
Give you my coat when you are cold

I’ll need you
I’ll feed you
Even let you hold the remote control

So let me do the dishes in our kitchen sink
Put you to bed if you’ve had too much to drink
I could be the man who grows old with you
I wanna grow old with you

List of Unique Songs

Grow Old With You Adam Sandler (Wedding Singer)

I’m a Believer The Monkees

Your’e the One that I Want Grease Soundtrack

I’m Yours Jason Moraz

Better Together Jack Johnson

How Sweet It Is Michael Buble

I Think I Love You Patridge Family

Everything Michael Buble

Crazy For You Madonna

My Love Justin Timberlake

Love and Marriage Frank Sinatra

Yellow Coldplay

The Twist Chubby Checker

All I Ask of You Phantom of the Opera

Hungry Eyes Patrick Swayze

Head over Feet Alanis Morrisette

Today I Met the Boy I am Going to Marry Darlene Love

I’ve got you Babe Sonny and Cher

Moon Dance Van Morrison

Burning Love Elvis Presley

Little L Jamiroquai

Best Things in Life Are Free Janet Jackson and Luther Vandross

Signed Sealed Delivered Stevie Wonder

Moon River Henry Mancini

Groovy Kind of Love Phil Collins

Why Do Birds Suddenly Appear Burt Bacharach

Your Love is King Sade

Somewhere over the Rainbow Eva Cassidy

Thank You Led Zepplin

In the Still of the Night Boys II Men

Make Someone Happy Nat King Cole

You’ve Got a Friend in Me Randy Newman (Toy Story)

So Happy Together Turtles

Viva La Vida Coldplay

Nothing Compares to You Sinead O’Connor

Love Story Taylor Swift

Tell Me P Diddy and Christina Aguilera

You’re My Best Friend Queen

Love at First Sight Kylie Minogue

The Wonder of You Elvis Presley

The Way I Are Timbaland

Head Over Feet Alanis Morrisette

All of My Love Led Zeppelin

May This Be Love Jimi Hendrix