As you all know my first dance decision was a really hard one. I felt that it was one of the things that would sneak up on a night out, having a drink out with friends and suddenly you could hear your first dance song and it would bring all the memories back. So if the stress is getting to you then Julia from Brother Ray to help.
So… Everything is booked and wedding planning is running smoothly. The dress fits, the bridesmaids look amazing, the groom has prepared his speech (Eeek), the Hen Party was a success, the flowers are ordered and the band is booked, but wait…You don’t have a First Dance ‘song’! As the lead singer of the Wedding Band Brother Ray, I often get asked by our couples, “Can you suggest a song for your first dance!?” Many couples may have a ‘song’ that reminds them of the day of the proposal, or the day they met and this is the perfect track to dance to on the big day…but a lot of couples don’t. You may have been together 10 years still find yourselves asking ‘What is OUR song?”.
Credit: Jason Parsons
Don’t worry – help is at hand!
My first suggestion is to think of a track that may sum up how you feel about each other, how you are together, how your other half makes you feel every day, or it may evoke a memory of an amazing holiday or trip you took together!
Take an evening together with a glass of wine and sit down and explore some albums on Spotify, browse Youtube or even keep an ear out whilst watching films or shopping. The song may just come to one of you all of a sudden. I’ve created a playlist of the most popular requests of 2015 which may help you with your decision making. https://open.spotify.com/user/juliabum/playlist/4R26xfgHHCcrLG5RpRuCv8
Credit: John Barwood Photography
Think about what suits your day as a couple. Is your wedding filled with comedy? Romantic sentiments? Are you glamorous or traditional? It may be a case of picking a song which sums up the day and relationship as a whole. If none of these ideas trigger anything, and you really can’t think of a song that sums you up, I usually suggest dancing to a song you both just really love. You may have a favourite band or singer who you always go to see and listen to.
Credit: Nick Murry Photography
Some of our couples aren’t so keen on being in the limelight on the dancefloor for such a long period of time so if this is the case, we suggest choosing something that will get everyone else up onto the dancefloor with you! It doesn’t have to be a traditional ‘wedding’ song or ballad – choose something you both want to dance to and something you’d love to play for the two of you and share with your loved ones. It might be an old Rock and Roll track, a show stopping tearjerker or a party starting hit to start the evening off with a bang. 
Credit: Maria Farrelly
At the end of the day (or nearly the end of the day) your first dance is simply a symbolic way to begin your journey as husband and wife, by starting the evening celebrations off and dancing together. Don’t stress over your routine or performance or worry about what people may think. It’s your day, and the two of you are the only ones in the room at that moment! Many of our couples take dance lessons leading up to the wedding to add that extra special element to their performance!
As something extra special – if you are having a band, you could ask them if they are happy to perform your first dance. They may already know it or be happy to perform it for you on the day.
If you are feeling particularly uncomfortable about doing a first dance, either ask the DJ/Band to invite your family and friends onto the dancefloor with you – or simply get the evening started by your entertainment with a big party starting track and get everyone to start dancing with you!
Remember it’s your big day and you don’t HAVE to do one if you don’t want to!
Hopefully it has given you all some inspiration. I agree that this is your day and you only need to do what you want. Thanks Julia!!! ~Kate
