Social Cues: The First Dance

I’m a huge fan of having a first dance.  Weddings have built in cues and often guests will NOT start dancing until the bride and groom take their first dance together.  I will now contradict that statement by saying that some parties have epically awesome peeps raring to go OR have cultural traditions (Jewish) and will spark a dance floor before the first dance is taken.

Be aware that your first dance together has tremendous POWER to get a dance party going.  Taken too early might throw away the momentum, taken too late might delay the dancing portion of the night.  F.Y.I. - full bellies right after dinner will take some time to digest before you feel like shakin’ it.

My preference is to have a time window (after dinner, after cake, etc) and play it by ear, read the crowd, and use the first dance like a poker player going ALL IN at the right time (sorry for the poker reference).  If the dance floor sparks BEFORE the first dance then you can use it as lovely break in the action to have a shared romantic moment.

*A wedding planner gave great advice; designate in advance a handful of friends to take the floor to accelerate the momentum.  Usually I will get on the mic and invite everyone to surround the floor for the first dance(s) and then invite everyone to join in right after. Boom, dance party started!