5 Rules for Choosing Your Wedding Dance Song
The song you dance to at your wedding is like the speech you prepared for the same: You’ll be remembered for it either way, so better make sure it’s a good one! Now that we’ve decided what dance style we want – or even if you haven’t – how do we separate the good songs from the great?
Rule One: Choose what YOU like.
This is not the time to put on a tired classic like ‘Three Times a Lady’ or ‘Fly me to the Moon’. While some might appreciate the nostalgia, it probably doesn’t say anything authentic about your love for each other.
When choosing, think of music you both enjoy, rather than trying to please others. Not only will it be more fun learning to dance to it, those who know you will appreciate what the song says about your relationship.
Rule Two: Choose a comfortable speed.
Unless you’re both seasoned quick-steppers, this is not the time to pull off a Viennese Waltz at 60 beats-per-minute. Stay within your comfort zone – you’ll have access to the biggest variety of moves that way.
Consider talking to an instructor on the appropriate speed of your dance. Or, if it’s not one everyone knows and you know someone with DJ experience (or at least owns a copy of Audacity), you can always adjust the speed a bit.
Rule Three: Make sure you hear the beat.
It doesn’t matter how good the song is; dance off-time to it, and that all your audience will see. Besides, you’ve got enough to worry about that day without straining to pick up that piano that only hits every third beat.
Rule Four: Use different energy levels.
When you’re riding in a car or a train, it’s easy to forget how fast you’re moving unless the speed suddenly changes. Likewise, don’t put your audience to sleep with a song that stays at the same level of energy – find something that has moments of excitement, and moments of (relative) stillness.
Rule Five: Make sure the lyrics are appropriate.
This one is so simple it’s easy to forget – the last thing you want your guests to remember is how their 3-year old son learned to swear from hearing your wedding song. Even it’s in a different language, use Google Translate to make sure. After all, your uncle Fred could actually speak fluent Japanese, who knows?
You’ve got the dance and the song… Next time, we’ll wrap up by looking at some choreography secrets to putting together a beautiful and memorable routine.
About the Author
Ian Crewe has been dancing ballroom for over 18 years, and has a Licentiate in American smooth and rhythm. His passion for dance eventually led him to blogging and the World Wide Web. Ian currently teaches at the Joy of Dance Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada.