Casual
Let's just say this is a classic dance that does not require special training. The bride and groom dance in a relaxed (moderately) style to slow romantic music. This is a natural style that will not be difficult to learn - the partner gradually leads the partner around the perimeter of the room.
Complexity
: 1/5
Recommended classes
: 1-2
Area
: Enough to circle your partner
Songs
: At last (Etta James), I've Got You Under My Skin (Frank Sinatra), LOVE (Nat King Cole), Perfect ( Ed Sheeran), A Thousand Tears (Cristiana Perri), For Once In My Life (Stevie wonder)
Ideal Venue
: Anywhere, from a pub to a palace
How to choose music?
There are several important criteria when choosing a musical background for a ceremony:
- the music should be without words, otherwise they may confuse the leader of the ceremony (even if the song sounds quiet);
- there should be no differences in volume, the track should sound evenly;
- the music should sound in the background, complement the speech, but not interrupt it in volume.
The best option would be compositions that feature solo violin, piano, and flute .
Also, it is worth preparing the audience 5-10 minutes before the lighting of the “family hearth”: from fast compositions (if there were dances before) you should delicately switch to more moderate ones, and immediately before the ceremony, turn on a slow song.
Thus, the transition to the substrate for the ceremony itself will be smooth. After completing the ritual, it is also worth maintaining a slow tempo in the music for some time.
Classic
We are talking about classical ballroom dance. It is suitable if you dream of a fairytale wedding - stylish, elegant and with a dress like a princess. This is a traditional waltz, foxtrot and even cha-cha-cha.
Complexity
: 3/5
Recommended classes
: 3
Area
: large dance floor or hall
Songs
: Shostakovich's Jazz Suite No.2, The Last Waltz, Blue Danube Waltz
Ideal venue
: country cottage or estate
For the public
If you want to hear enthusiastic exclamations and applause from your guests, this option is for you. The best way to do this is to recreate a dance scene from famous films or music videos. The advantage of this option is that all the movements and special effects are already thought up for you.
Complexity
: 4/5
Recommended activities
: 5
Area
: so your guests can form a circle around you
Songs
: Time of my life (“Dirty Dancing”), Teenage wedding (“Pulp Fiction”), Thinking out Loud (Ed Sheeran), Do you love me (“Dirty Dancing”)
Ideal venue
: depending on the film, it can be either a concert hall or an open-air lawn
What items are needed for the ritual?
In the beautiful ritual of lighting the fire of the family hearth, wedding candles will be an obligatory attribute. Newlyweds can purchase them in wedding salons or in specialized departments of stores.
You can buy a beautiful candle with a special decorative design, or you can decorate a purchased ordinary wide candle with your own hands with various wedding symbols: rings, flowers, doves, a pair of swans.
If you manage to purchase a chameleon candle that flickers in different colors when lit, then such an attribute will look great in the dimness of the wedding hall and will shroud this touching ritual in mystery and enigma.
It is advisable that wedding candles meet the following requirements.
- The main wedding candle should be the most beautiful, large and attractively decorated. The newlyweds select the shape and appearance in accordance with their preferences and wishes.
- For a photo session of the newlyweds with a lit candle for the family hearth, it is recommended to use a beautiful stand or candlestick.
- As candles for parents, it is best to purchase thin candles of short length, which will harmonize favorably with the large candle of the young ones. Since mothers will use the flame of parental candles to light the symbolic hearth of the newlyweds, it is not recommended to choose shaped candles for these purposes due to their inconvenience.
- If possible, then you should abandon the purchased wedding main candle. It is advisable to decorate it yourself with your own hands and thus fill this wedding attribute with a piece of warmth from the hands and hearts of the newlyweds.
- Wedding ceremony “The family hearth will be unusually romantic and symbolic if candles left by the parents after their wedding are used when lighting. It is recommended that newlyweds continue this wonderful tradition so that their future child can use the candle from their parents’ wedding hearth at their wedding.
According to popular belief, it is believed that a candle lit from a wedding family hearth can be used to make your deepest wish.
Therefore, it is best for guests to keep them as a memory of that bright and happy day of uniting two loving hearts into a strong family union. Newlyweds often ask the question: “What to do with lit small candles and can they be extinguished?”
There are several opinions on this matter: some believe that the candles must be extinguished, and this will be a symbol of the young people belonging to each other, while others want to leave the candles lit to emphasize their individuality.
In fact, it doesn’t matter at all whether you leave the candles burning or not. The newlyweds make this decision jointly and at their own request. Sometimes at wedding celebrations during the ceremony of transferring the fire of the family hearth, candles are replaced with aromatic lamps in the shape of hearts, small graceful houses, small fireplaces, and a beautiful flower. When holding a wedding hearth lighting ceremony, it is best to agree in advance with the administration of the wedding venue about the possibility of turning off the overhead electric lighting.
Then this beautiful, touching ritual will be more spectacular and effective.
Dance-story
It is a medley of songs strung together that reflect the most significant moments in a couple's love story. The choreographic part consists of several dance styles depending on the music. This dance will make your guests laugh and cry.
Complexity
: 4/5
Recommended classes
: 4-6
Area
: preferably a large dance floor if the dance contains lifts and circular movements
Songs
: Hello (Lionel Richie), Dance With Somebody (Whitney Houston), Can't Touch This (MC Hammer), At Last (Etta James), Marry me (Bruno Mars)
Ideal location
: A location that is especially important to the couple would be best.
Wedding dance: 10 styles to choose from
Preparation, Articles, Traditions and entertainment July 28 The Bride
When choosing a composition for a wedding dance, you should first decide on its style. In this article we have prepared a description of 10 dance styles - you will have plenty to choose from!
A slow dance
Light swaying in each other's arms is a popular choice for newlyweds who do not want to spend a lot of time and effort preparing the first dance. It is perhaps difficult to come up with movements simpler than these, familiar from school, and any slow composition that you like will be suitable as musical accompaniment.
During such a dance, you can simply relax, enjoy each other’s hugs and chat, sharing your impressions of the wedding day.
Slow dance (difficult version)
This version of the slow dance is distinguished by the positioning of the hands - on one side, the partners hold each other’s hands, raising them slightly, on the other hand, the hand remains on the shoulder or waist. In this performance the dance looks more formal.
Before performing it at a wedding party, practice at least a couple of times to understand whether you are comfortable dancing like this and getting into the rhythm of the melody. Otherwise, you don’t need any special skills, feel free to choose your favorite slow composition and enjoy!
Photo: Elena Mukhina
Classic waltz
To the surprise of many, the classic waltz is performed noticeably faster than the slow dance. There are many varieties of it - English, French, Viennese and others - so to perform it you will need a little choreography skills or dance lessons to get them.
Certain hand positions, correct steps, turns, sense of tact - you will have to learn everything that makes a waltz a waltz. It is advisable to choose a melody with a suitable rhythm so that the movements fit easily with the music.
7 details that will help highlight the individuality of a couple
Swing
A lively and fast swing is the choice of a bright and active couple. Jumps, turns, complex combinations of steps at a tempo - all this drive needs to be felt and conveyed in movement, so you can’t do it without a choreographer.
Think about your appearance - a long dress with a train and high heels will not work. Clothes should not interfere or hinder movement. Choose a second outfit for yourself, lighter and shorter, the groom should take off his jacket, and dancing shoes must be comfortable for both.
Photo: Taras Terletsky
Foxtrot
Situated somewhere between a waltz and a swing, the foxtrot is a wonderful combination of melody, playful movements, grace and a leisurely pace. To stage this dance, it is best to contact a choreographer who will be able to prepare an effective and high-quality performance for you. But you won’t have to change your wedding outfit for the foxtrot, and its movements fit well with both classical and modern music.
Rumba
This Latin American dance is suitable for a sensual and expressive couple. It focuses on body flexibility and hip movement. Rumba is easier to perform than other types of Latin dances, but you will still need the help of a choreographer.
The choice of compositions for rumba is not so wide, but if you like this dance, then finding music to your liking will not be difficult. The dance dress code will require you to change your shoes to special shoes, and due to the emphasis on the hips, it is desirable that the dress emphasizes them and does not hide them.
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Mambo and salsa
If you want a sensual dance at a fast pace, this is your choice! Despite the different techniques, these two dances have several key points in common: they are both performed at a fairly fast pace and involve complex combinations of steps. In mambo they are clearer and more abrupt, in salsa they are smoother and more rhythmic.
Latin compositions with a bright character and drive are perfect. Entrust your dance choreography to a professional to achieve the desired result, and keep in mind that clothing for salsa and mambo should be light and comfortable.
Photo: Alexandra Klenina
Hip-hop
If your couple likes modern dancing more and you want to “blow up” the dance floor, then pay attention to the hip-hop style. It has been very popular in the last decade, so choosing the right composition will not be difficult. To make a good performance, you don’t have to contact a choreographer; you just need to learn a few simple and fiery movements.
Shoes and attire for dancing should be comfortable, so make sure you have the opportunity to change. Hip-hop dance is sure to impress guests and will be a good transition from the official part to the wedding party!
Mashup (mixed dance)
If you don’t want to be limited to one melody, you can combine several compositions and create a unique dance cocktail that will fully reflect the personality of your couple. There is no need to contact a choreographer.
Choose a variety of songs - slow, fast, romantic, driving - those that you just like to dance to. There will be no requirements for an outfit in this dance; the main thing is that you should be comfortable.
Photo: Olga Androsova
Flashmob
The collective first dance in the form of a flash mob is a new event, but already a favorite of the newlyweds. It is radically different from the classic romantic dance of a couple in its scale, because it involves many people who gradually join it.
You can ask your groomsmen and bridesmaids to prepare such a number with you. Come up with simple movements that are easy to remember and repeat, find the right music and surprise the rest of the guests with such a spectacular and original dance!
How to make your first dance unforgettable:
Wedding dance: basic recommendations
