We're really looking foward to your brilliant first dance! Love, C & S

There are many aspects of the wedding that you'll want to never forget, but perhaps one of the most memorable will be the first dance and the first dance song. With this in mind, it's important that you give it the attention that it merits and maybe set aside a little in your wedding budget.

Essentially, there are three aspects that you need to consider when planning your wedding first dance:

The music that you choose for your wedding first dance will stay with you forever as ‘your song’ and on video and in your guests’ memories. Take your time and try not to choose something that will make you cringe in years to come!

This website provides you with hundreds of popular wedding first dance songs to listen to and to download. Browse your favourite artists or your favourite songs to find ‘the song’.

Give each other encouragement before you take to the floor to boost each other’s confidence.
 Walk onto the dance floor with confidence and hold yourself tall. Smile, even if you are trying to remember the first dance steps, and don’t look at your feet.
 If you are having a choreographed routine, remember to let your photographer and/or videographer know so they can capture the moment.
 Never surprise your partner with unrehearsed moves on the day. You run the risk of throwing them off course, or worse still, off balance!
 Finally, relax and try to enjoy yourself. If anything goes wrong just smile and carry on. No-one’s judging your performance.

Whilst the thought of Robbie Williams turning up to perform 'Angels' is a nice thought, we all know that in practice that ain't gonna happen (unless he owes you one!). So, with this in mind you really only have two options available; to have pre-recorded wedding first dance music on a sound system or to get any band or soloist who is performing on the night to perform a cover of the wedding music in question.

Take a couple of lessons from a professional ballroom instructor before the wedding. You’ll need to take along the shoes you’ll be wearing, and preferably a skirt that’s a similar length to the wedding dress. The instructor will help you work out a routine you can manage, both in terms of technique and the outfit you’ll be wearing. If you haven’t got any firm ideas about music, they’ll also be able to pick out a tune that’ll fit your steps perfectly.

Everyone’s wedding is different and there’s no right or wrong point in the reception to schedule your first dance. However, as with every aspect of wedding planning, it’s a good idea to think carefully about when the first dance best fits in to your wedding, rather than adding it as an afterthought. You should also make sure that there is an announcement just before the dance so that guests won’t miss out or chat throughout the whole thing.

Traditionally, the Bride and Groom will be invited onto the dance floor for their wedding first dance as a married couple and this will kick-start the evening reception. After a minute or so, the parents will be asked to join the happy couple, then a few moments later the Best Man, accompanied by the Chief Bridesmaid, will also join in. Sometimes the Ushers and remaining Bridesmaids will then take to the floor, just make sure that everyone knows who they are dancing with (especially if there are multiple Ushers and Bridesmaids).

Armed with all the information on this website you should have everything you need to plan the perfect wedding first dance - then all you have to do is get on the dance floor and put things into practice.