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When Should I Have First Dance?

posted 3 years ago in Reception
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    1.
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    Newbee
    tivoli      

    Hi everyone!  We are going through our timeline for the big day, specifically the reception, and I have heard two different suggestions on when to have the first dance.  One person says it's better to have it towards the end of dinner, followed by the father/daughter dance, and then invite the guests on the dance floor since we are already there.  The other person thinks we should do our first dance right after our grand entrance so that everyone will be paying attention.  What do you think?  When are you doing your first dance?? 

     
    2.
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    Blushing bee
    IrishBride    08/23/2008   Chicago

    We're doing our first dance right after our grand entrance, but I don't think there's a right or wrong time to do it. You'll have everyone's attention either way!

     
    3.
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    Buzzing bee
    maureen9004    August 2008  

    I've heard of doing the first dance for the grand entrace, and after dinner as the first song.  I still haven't made a decision, but I think we're waiting until after the meal.  That way it sort of gets the guests "ready" to dance and sets the tone?  I liked the idea of the grand entrance as well though...

     

       I wouldn't wait until too late... because then it won't be your first dance. :)

     
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    Bumble bee
    amysue    6/6/09  

    I've always seen it done at the very beginning. in my circle, it's seen as the bride and groom "opening" the dance floor - people don't dance before they do.

     
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    Busy bee
    missm    09-27-08   San Francisco

    We're doing it immediately following the cake cutting.  We'll cut the cake and while the caterers are prepping it to serve, we'll do our first dance.  Since we met dancing tango, the type of dance isn't going to flow well with the rest of the dancing, so we're treating more like a performance to entertain the guests while they are waiting for cake. :)  Once cake is done, we'll open the floor for general dancing.

    Overall - do the dance when it makes sense for you and your sweetie. :) 

     
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    Helper bee
    Joanne    May 2008 (Michigan) & July 2008 (Boston)   Boston, MA

    we did our first dance a little after our grand entrance. we had chinese lion dances open our reception. right after, we did the first dance, cake cutting, and then the start of dinner all in my wedding gown. i personally did that so i could be in my wedding gown in the pictures during all those times (since i changed twice after that).  however, i also think it's a good idea to do it in the beginning not because all the attention would be on you two, but because you'll still looked put together right after the ceremony and pictures. 

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    7.
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    Helper bee
    tanya2s      

    We had dinner first, then while people were eating we went from table to table to chat with guests. Then we cut the cake near the end of dinner, mingled a little more, and had our first dance to open the dance floor. That way, people were mostly in their seats when cake was served and didn't have to worry about missing cake while dancing.

    I didn't want to do it right after our grand entrance because we'd dance, and then everyone would sit down and eat instead of joining in the dancing. And then there would've been the awkward "can we start dancing now?" moment for the rest of the guests after dinner. We wanted a clear signal that the dance party was starting, so people should get out there on the floor!

     
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    Helper bee
    Jeska June20    6/20/09   MD

    I've decided on the 1st dance right after the Grand Entrance.  I've seen it done both ways and this way just seems more touching, more people are paying attention (not talking).  I'm going to do the father/daughter, mother/son, and bridal dance towards the end of dinner, then the dj will announce the dance floor is open.

     
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    Buzzing bee
    cannotwait    February 1, 2009   TX

    we're doing dinner, then dancing (kicked off w/ the first dance) then cake then more dancing

     
    10.
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    Busy bee
    sunbeam      

    I am still in the planning stages, but I think of the first dance as opening the dance floor, and to me a dance as soon as you enter wouldn't do that because everyone is sitting waiting to eat. I think we will dance after everyone eats, or after everyone eats and we cut the cake to encourage everyone to get out on the dance floor after the meal.

     
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    Bumble bee
    spraguebride    August 8, 2009   Bothell, WA

    We are doing our 1st dance right after our entrance

    There will be no father/daughter dances, etc...

    So....we enter.......then have our dance, and then a 2nd song that we are having everyone else come on and dance

    Then dinner.  I figure that after dinner we can to the flower and garter stuff and then the DJ with help me find a way to get people dancing again :-)

     

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