Formality Dances and Tradition

Formality Dances and Tradition

As you are planning your wedding reception, there is no doubt you will put a lot of thought into your first dance.  The song may reflect your personal taste and can stand the test of time as “your song”.   Your first dance is a moment you will never forget, but the dances that come immediately after your first dance are also important moments that require some planning.

Traditionally, after the first dance, the groom escorts his bride to her father for the father-daughter dance.   Most of the time, the bride and her father rock back and forth with tear filled eyes to something like Heartland’s “I Loved Her First”, but perhaps a slow dance with your dad does not fit your style.  Remember, it’s your day, there’s no such thing as a wrong choice, there’s only YOUR choice.  Take for instance a recent wedding where the bride was a self-proclaimed cowgirl.  Prior to the father daughter dance, the bride and her father changed into cowboy boots and danced an upbeat two-step to Chris LeDoux’s “Cadillac Cowboy”.   The dance was reflective of their personal taste and unique relationship and is sure to be a moment neither of them will ever forget.

The same is true for the mother-son dance.  Don’t be afraid to customize your moment.  Traditionally, mothers and sons may choose a slow song like Louis Armstrong’s “What a Wonderful World.”  This is a beautiful song which usually makes its way into a wedding reception at some point in the evening, but does not necessarily need to be used for one of the formality dances.  We recently worked with a groom who wanted a less traditional song.  They selected Paul Simon’s “Loves Me Like a Rock.”  As is the case with a lot of Paul Simon’s music, “Loves Me Like a Rock” is a fun, upbeat, playful tune that allows a mother and son to put a twist on the traditional slow dance.

Whether you choose a slow dance or an alternative, be sure to make the most of your special moments and don’t be afraid to customize your day and stray from tradition.