Archive for October, 2009
When thinking about your wedding dance songs, you will probably have some that have meaning to you, but aren’t appropriate for the actual dance. Keep a list of these songs and their meaning to you. For a wedding favor, you can create CD’s that have songs with special meaning to you. Include your First Dance Song, your Father Daughter Song, your Mother Son Song, and any other special dances. Put together a pamphlet that explains the special dance songs and why you chose them. Also include the other songs that have special meaning and a description of why they are special. This is a great way to personalize your gifts to the wedding guests and give them a great way to remember your wedding and learn a little bit more about you.
The first dance by the married couple is a special moment for everyone. The ceremony is over, a delicious meal has been consumed, and it’s time for the dancing festivities. Generally, the new married couple is very happy, but very nervous about this first dance.
Unless the couple is highly extroverted, relish the thought of being the center of attention, or really, really good at dancing, the newly married couple is likely to be nervous about the first dance. While you want to dance with your partner, dancing in front of a group of people isn’t easy. All eyes are on you. Will you make a mistake that people will notice? Will something go wrong?
Here’s the scoop though, the beauty of the first dance for your guests is not necessarily your dance. Of course, the guests will gather around in eager anticipation. But, if you were to look around, you would see the couples holding hands, drinking in the music, and reminiscing about their first dance at their wedding. They will think about the love they have for their partner and the love that the newly married couple has. They will think about how your life will be going forward and wishing you the happiness that they have had in their own marriage. It’s a beautiful reminiscent moment for all present.
Will they be watching your every step? No. Will they notice if something “goes wrong”? Probably not.
Should you be nervous? You shouldn’t. You should pick a first dance song that is special to you and your partner. You should dance the dance that you want to dance and remember. While the dance is happening, you should only have eyes for your partner and relish in this most special moment for the two of you. And, when you go to your next friend’s wedding, you’ll be in the audience, reminiscing about your own special first dance while wishing them the best in life.
At the end of the reception, one final song is played to close out the dancing. This song should be chosen with care, just as the other special songs in your reception. You want to think about the close of your evening; should it be fun and upbeat or slow and romantic? What kind of message sums up the wedding day and starts you on your married life? How you choose to close the reception is up to you and you should not leave it to the band or DJ’s discretion.
If you decide you want to end the night on a high and have an upbeat last dance song, here are a number of suggestions from different genres to consider:
Standards
- “Buona Sera” (Louis Prima)
- “Bye Bye Baby” (Marilyn Monroe)
- “Come Fly With Me” (Frank Sinatra)
- “Fly Me To The Moon” (Frank Sinatra)
- “For Once In My Life” (Frank Sinatra)
- “Goodnight My Love” (Jesse Belvin)
- “Let’s Get Lost” (Frank Sinatra)
- “Sentimental Reasons” (Charlie Spivak)
- “The Best Is Yet To Come” (Tony Bennett)
- “The Lullaby of Broadway” (Frank Sinatra)
- “The Tender Trap” (Frank Sinatra)
- “There Is No Greater Love” (Ben Webster)
Classic Pop/Rock
- “After Midnight” (Eric Clapton)
- “Blinded By Love” (The Rolling Stones)
- “Build Me Up Buttercup” (The Foundations)
- “Don’t Stop” (Fleetwood Mac)
- “How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)” (James Taylor)
- “Kiss” (Prince)
- “Kokomo” (The Beach Boys)
- “Late in the Evening” (Paul Simon)
- “Let’s Go Crazy” (Prince)
- “One Love” (Bob Marley)
- “Pride And Joy” (Stevie Ray Vaughan)
- “Surfin’ USA” (The Beach Boys)
- “Sweet Caroline” (Neil Diamond)
- “What I Like About You” (The Romantics)
Classic R&B/Soul
- “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” (Diana Ross and The Supremes)
- “Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now” (McFadden & Whitehead)
- “All Night Long” (Lionel Richie)
- “Come And Get Your Love” (Redbone)
- “I Second That Emotion” (Smokey Robinson & The Miracles)
- “Twist And Shout” (The Isley Brothers)
- “You Gotta Be” (Des’ree)
- “You Sexy Thing” (Hot Chocolate)
Pop/Rock/Contemporary
- “Believe” (Cher)
- ““I’ll Be There For You” (The Rembrandts)
- “Thank You” (Alanis Morissette)
- “Waiting For Tonight” (Jennifer Lopez)
Shows/Movies
- “We Go Together” (John Travolta/Olivia Newton John, from the Grease Soundtrack)
