Weddings can be a lot of fun, but also a little nerve-wracking. A mixture of new and unfamiliar social groups plus the generally high stress and emotions of the day can make for an interesting experience. While we can’t help you out with tips on cutting cake, catching garters and bouquets, and making a good toast, we can stick to what we know best: Dancing. Here are some tips to help you cut a rug the right way on the big day.
First of All, Relax
Once the emotional tension and release of the vows and ceremony are over, it is the universally recognized time to start having fun. But you can’t do that without taking a load off of your nerves. Try stretching your legs a little bit, shake out your arms, loosen a collar, change your shoes, or take off a jacket. The formalities are over–except for the pictures of course–and it’s time to loosen up and enjoy yourself. One of the cardinal rules of social dancing is to feel comfortable. Don’t let yourself stress out about the other guests watching you, they’re here to celebrate tooPep. So take a deep breath or two, and do whatever it is you need to do to get in the zone and do some dancing.
Follow the Vibe
While the reception is definitely the informal part of the day, there are still some rules so you want to pay a bit of attention. Rule number one is to never upstage the newlyweds. Listen to the band or DJ and if there’s a dance announced for the bride and groom, stand back and be supportive. Follow the leader and you’ll do just fine, and when we are talking about the dancefloor, the leader is always the person with the microphone who is supplying the tunes.
If there’s a group dance like The Electric Slide that you are not quite sure you remember all of the steps too, don’t worry about it, just follow the crowd. Dancing is a lot more intuitive than you’d think, and there are a lot of cues, both visual and musical, to help you figure things out. If you’re reading the room and following along with the general vibe, you’ll have a good time, and probably learn some things too.
Make Requests
Do you have a song in mind that you just know you can really get down to on the dancefloor? Something from the funky ‘70’s or perhaps a recent hit from the club? Don’t be afraid to make requests from the music makers, if it’s appropriate you’ll probably find what you’re looking for. Most wedding bands and DJs are incredibly versatile and knowledgeable, just make sure that the song fits the occasion. Some weddings have certain culturally specific musical groups in mind for the celebration so it might not be possible to get them to play one of your favorite Beyoncé tracks, but in most cases it doesn’t hurt to ask. Think of a track that you love to dance too, and that you just know other people love to dance to as well, and try to get the energy going.
Partner Up
Wedding dancing is rarely a solo activity. This is especially true for the partnered dances that tend to inhabit a lot of time and space on the dance floor. Did you bring a date? Maybe spend some time in the weeks before the wedding brushing up with them on the dances that you are both comfortable with. Perhaps you two could be the jitterbug heroes for a song or two, or really enjoy a good slow dance together. If you came alone that’s okay too…weddings are for meeting new people in a happy environment. Talk to people, find someone who wants to do a two-step with you, or grab a partner and just improvise. Do you have family with you? You’re never too late for a mother/son or daddy/daughter dance. The real key is to enjoy yourself with other people enjoying themselves. With that in mind, weddings can be one of the nicest experiences out there.
