Picking That First Wedding-Dance Song

Many of us look forward to our wedding days with great expectation and anticipation, picturing the day down to the very minor details. We consider what we will wear, what our bridesmaids and groomsmen will wear, what kind of cake will be served, and of course—who we will invite. We spend time thinking of what our vows will be on that very special day, and have a very clear idea of what it will look like. We forget one very important detail, one thing that will be expected of us on this big day: our first dance as a married couple.

Some couples spend a lot of time preparing for this, however most do not. The couples that do take the time to learn a routine end up amazing their guests with a spectacular show of commitment to each other, as the “routine” may take up to a year for both partners to learn. Again, most do not.

If you’re anything like me, you’ll spend all of your time making preparations for the wedding: catering, invitations, the guest list, seating arrangements, and even doing some ad-hoc work as a family therapist, just hoping that your family won’t get into a brawl on your special day. Dancing—yes, dancing—is the farthest thing from your mind. There’s no need to try to impress your guests—they already love you. And there’s no reason to add stress to what may already be a stressful event you’re planning for.

So make it easy on yourself: Pick an easy, slow song. Even the person who abhors dancing--and claims that they don’t know how to dance—knows how to slow dance. Most people slow danced at some point in their lives, even if it was in sixth grade. There are many songs these days that will require very little effort on your part—or your partner’s—and will also make a beautiful memory.

“Angels” by Robbie Williams is a good one. “And through it all she offers me protection, a lot of love and affection…” It’s slow and easy to dance to. Another option is Bryan Adams and “Everything I Do I Do It For You.” That’s also a good one…in fact, it hardly requires any movement. If you like the oldies, Nat King Cole’s “When I Fall In Love” will be perfect for your wedding day. For the country fan, “Amazed” by Lonestar is a safe bet. Or if you want something more hip and new, you could try “You’re Beautiful” by James Blunt.

All of these are good, safe suggestions for your beautiful day. They're fairly easy to master, and it's a safe bet your wedding partner can dance to it also. It’s not a bad idea to practice at home prior to the big day, but if you pick one of these you’ll hardly need any rehearsing. The first dance is important, and will be a memory forever.

Be ready to hold your loved one close, but don’t forget to reserve the space, order the invitations or cut the cake.