PHOTO CREDIT: Photos taken at Shade Trees and Evergreens Event Grounds by Spence Photographics

FIRST DANCE TIPS (for couples who hate to dance)

One of the most memorable photos at most weddings is the image of your first dance – the couple completely lost in the moment, while guests look on adoringly.

For some couples, though, the idea of being the center of attention is terrifying, whether it’s because they feel they can’t dance or because they don’t like having all eyes on them.

But, there are ways to make what’s supposed to be a special, romantic moment a lot more fun and a little less scary. Here’s a few tips:

1. Seek out professional dance instruction. Obviously, someone who’s shy may not be comfortable having a highly choreographed routine for a first dance. But, spending some time with a dance instructor can help a couple improve their sense of rhythm. It also can help them to feel more comfortable dancing with one another – something many couples haven’t done much — if ever — prior to their wedding day.
2. Don’t go it alone. Sure, you’ll want to take a spin around the floor as newlyweds, but there’s no reason you can’t have your DJ or bandleader invite all the couples in attendance to join you after a minute or two. Once the floor is full of couples dancing, you’ll no longer feel like a spectacle, and can focus on enjoying yourselves and the beautiful wedding you’ve planned.
3. Pick a short song. Any decent DJ or band should be able to shorten any song you love, but here are 10 classics (or classics-in-the-making) that clock in at under 3 minutes:

• Ingrid Michaelson: “The Way I Am” (2:15)
• Cat Power: “Sea of Love” (2:20)
• Otis Redding: “That’s How Strong My Love Is” (2:25)
• The Drifters: “Some Kind of Wonderful” (2:27)
• Tony Bennett: “The Best is Yet to Come” (2:30)
• Louis Armstrong: “What a Wonderful World” (2:30)
• Nat King Cole: “L-O-V-E” (2:33)
• The Beatles: “In My Life” (2:35)
• Billie Holiday: “The Very Thought of You” (2:41)
• Elvis Presley: “Can’t Help Falling in Love” (2:58)

The most important thing to remember when having your first dance, though, is to have fun with it! Like everything else on your wedding day, it will go by in a flash. So, try to relax and enjoy yourself for those few, fleeting moments together.

Jennifer Reitmeyer is the president of MyDeejay, overseeing all day-to-day operations of the company. More importantly she’s also the person who matches you with an amazing DJ for your wedding! Jennifer has worked in the event industry since 1997 in a variety of fields. A bona fide wedding expert, Jennifer’s other projects include writing a wedding business blog called WeddingIQ; and contributing to WeddingWire’s Education Center and ProBlog as an Education Expert.