The opening dance as the highlight of the wedding

The wedding hall falls completely silent; everyone turns their heads expectantly toward the dance floor as the band plays the first notes of your favorite song—this moment on your wedding day is truly magical! Of course, the wedding dance also comes with a bit of excitement. Here’s what can help ease your nerves: choosing the right song and following our tips for performing the opening dance…

The Perfect Song for Your Wedding Dance

A song that’s often chosen for the opening dance is “Can’t Help Falling in Love” by Elvis Presley. With its gentle melody and memorable lyrics, the song creates a romantic atmosphere and is perfect for this occasion.

Another popular song for the first dance is “A Thousand Years” by Christina Perri. This song is especially known for its beautiful lyrics, which perfectly capture the feeling of eternal love and devotion.

Another classic for the first dance? “At Last” by Etta James! This song describes the joy of finally having found the love of your life. It’s a song that captures the moment of “arrival” and, with its catchy, jazzy melody, makes it the ideal wedding dance.

Of course, there are many other beautiful songs suitable for the first dance, such as “Perfect” by Ed Sheeran or “Marry Me” by Train. If you’d rather choose a German ballad or a pop song for your opening dance, you can’t go wrong with “80 Millionen” by Max Giesinger or “Funkelperlenaugen” by Pur.

Here are some more ideas for beautiful songs for the wedding dance:

• My Heart Belongs to You (Phil Collins, from *Tarzan*)
• Fields of Gold (Sting)
• Footprints in the Sand (Leona Lewis)
• "Bridge Over Troubled Water" (Simon & Garfunkel)
• Yes (Silbermond)
• Halo (Beyoncé)
• "At This Moment" (Michael Bublé)
• Angels (Robbie Williams)
• "Kiss from a Rose" (Seal)
• If Only a Song Were Enough (Eros Ramazzotti)
• Dance of the Molecules (Mia)

… the list of wedding songs is practically endless, because there are so many amazing songs you can choose for your first dance. However, you should keep the following criteria in mind when selecting a song:

• Inappropriate Lyrics: Pay close attention to the message the song conveys. If necessary, use a translation tool if you're not entirely sure.
• Great song, wrong tempo: Slow waltz, rumba, blues, or foxtrot—what did you learn in dance class, or what makes you feel comfortable on the dance floor? Choose a song based on the basic steps, too. The experts at these dance schools throughout Austria will be happy to help you make your selection.
• Music tastes: Do you like listening to Deep Purple in your free time, or are you big R&B fans? Then you don’t have to resort to the cheesiest Stevie Wonder song for your wedding dance. It’s just like your wedding outfit: You don’t want to feel like you’re in costume—so when it comes to music, choose a song that suits you. If you’re good dancers, you can even put together a wedding dance medley.

Wedding Dance: Gliding Confidently Across the Dance Floor

Practicing your wedding dance is like working out: It’s better to practice over a longer period of time in shorter sessions than to take an intensive dance class right before the wedding. Of course, the latter works too, but you’ll dance more effectively and enjoy it more if you take your time and have patience.

And don’t worry—even those who aren’t big on dancing can manage a few basic steps of the Viennese waltz, such as the so-called “simplified waltz.” If you want to transition directly from the wedding dance into the right party mood, it’s best to open with a Disco Fox—it goes well with many songs and isn’t too hard to learn. The opening dance is even easier with a blues: This dance is like a hug in many ways and thrives on plenty of eye contact and a well-chosen blues song.

If you’re now interested in taking a dance class, get in touch directly with our wedding dance experts.

When is the right time for the opening dance?

The church wedding ceremony and the reception often take place in the early afternoon. In many cases, the celebration then moves on to the wedding venue, where dinner is served. After dinner is therefore the ideal time for your first dance. Why? The guests are full and happy to have some entertainment where they can just sit back and relax. Plus, your first dance is the perfect transition to the party band, because your dance draws everyone’s attention—and later, the guests themselves—to the stage.

Alternatively, you can also perform your wedding dance toward the end of the reception. This creates a certain element of surprise and is becoming increasingly common, especially at smaller, civil weddings. Important: Make sure to have professional music for this as well !

Wedding Dance with Choreography

Do you two never really dance at parties? The wedding dance is fine, but you’ll never be able to muster much enthusiasm for dancing? Then let’s be honest: Stick to a few simple basic steps of the slow waltz or go with the blues—don’t put pressure on yourselves to impress with a rehearsed dance routine.

On the other hand, if you enjoy entertaining, love to dance, or just have rhythm in your blood, then think about what kind of choreography you can rehearse together with your best man and maid of honor or with your favorite dance studio.

A flash mob—where only a few guests are in on the secret—can also be incredibly effective! There are tons of great examples of flash mob-style wedding dances online. Click through and check out the many different variations. But be careful—there’s a risk of getting hooked and wanting to copy them while you’re researching!