| There comes that magical moment at every wedding | | | | today's brides and grooms are making less traditional |
| reception where all else stops, and all eyes gaze | | | | wedding choices, why should their first dance remain |
| toward the center of the dance floor. It is empty | | | | traditional? Isn't the wedding day all about the couple |
| except for the bride and groom as they prepare for | | | | and what they want anyway? |
| their first dance as husband and wife. | | | | Sure, a wedding ceremony and reception is about the |
| The first dance is an age-old tradition - originating | | | | couple, there's no denying that. After all, they, and |
| with formal balls in Europe where the person with the | | | | the celebration of their new life together, are the |
| highest social position, often the Emperor or King, | | | | reason for the day's events and the gathering of |
| would have the first dance, thereby signaling the | | | | friends and family. On this day, all eyes are going to |
| official start of the event. For events of lesser | | | | be on the bride and groom anyway, regardless of |
| nobility, the host and/or hostess would have the first | | | | what they are doing, or how they are doing it. So |
| dance. | | | | the bride and groom need to carefully think about |
| Formal balls have become a thing of the past. Gone | | | | what these eyes are going to see. They are the |
| are the once common knowledge and skills of | | | | host and hostess, and as such, should put careful |
| ballroom dancing, but luckily not completely forgotten | | | | thought into what they are providing for their guests. |
| thanks to dance studios and instructors. Many | | | | Like the hundreds of thousands of other wedding |
| couples, in the desire to avoid showing their friends | | | | guests across the country, their guests will witness |
| and family that they each have two left feet and | | | | many "traditional" formalities, including the cake |
| possess a distinct lack of rhythm, have opted for at | | | | cutting, tossing the bouquet and garter, and the |
| least a few dance lessons so they can gracefully twirl | | | | couples' first dance. However, these traditions were |
| around the dance floor with a more polished look on | | | | first implemented centuries ago, and their meanings |
| their wedding day. And if they prefer to practice | | | | and symbolisms have changed significantly through |
| solely in the privacy of their own homes, dance | | | | the years. Today's bride and groom have to decide |
| instruction videos and DVD's are available. | | | | what meanings, if any, these formalities hold for |
| However, a new first dance practice is suddenly | | | | them. What do they hope to achieve as they plan on |
| emerging. No longer are couples simply doing a | | | | participating in these formalities? Is it to follow |
| foxtrot, waltz, or that old stand-by, the old "high | | | | tradition, to become the center of attention, or |
| school sway." In its place is a professionally | | | | something else entirely? |
| choreographed routine rivaling something you'd see | | | | Would they be more comfortable with something |
| on a theatre stage during a musical. This trend is | | | | sweet and traditional, or is something dramatic and |
| becoming more common, as couples across the | | | | entertainment-like more suitable? Again, there is no |
| country reenact scenes from "Dirty Dancing," Michael | | | | definitive answer. Like any other planning decision, it |
| Jackson's "Thriller," and the opening sequence to "The | | | | really depends on the style and formality of event |
| Spy Who Loved Me," complete with pantomimed | | | | the couple wishes to have. As the first dance has |
| gestures along with the carefully practiced dance | | | | the power to set the tone for the event, making an |
| moves. Some couples have even gone so far as | | | | appropriate choice is very important. Do they want |
| requiring their entire bridal party to take several | | | | classic and formal? Then holding to the traditional |
| dance lessons, and wear silly costumes. The trend in | | | | ways may be best for them. On the other hand, if |
| elaborately choreographed first dances is getting so | | | | they want something more modern and |
| popular that some of these routines are frequently | | | | contemporary, than why not an energized, |
| viewed on YouTube, and even show up on the | | | | choreographed routine? |
| national news. | | | | However, like many things in life, the "what" isn't as |
| So, why is the simple first dance of old heading in this | | | | important as the "why." What are they doing? |
| theatrical, dramatic direction? Why are more and | | | | Dancing - following either tradition or the current |
| more couples trying to put on a show? A definitive | | | | trend. But why are they doing it? Is it to signal the |
| answer is hard to come by, as there are many | | | | dancing portion of the event, to set the mood for |
| different hypotheses. Many claim that it is the fault | | | | the rest of the evening, or to get their guests more |
| of an "all about me" society. That many couples | | | | involved? Or is it an attempt to show off and say, |
| desire to "one up" other couples, so they choose to | | | | "Hey, look at us, aren't we great?" Just remember, |
| be as elaborate and showy as possible, so they | | | | there won't be any Tony awards given out at the |
| become the focus of everyone's attention. Some | | | | end of the evening for best performance, and |
| think that the media is to blame. With so many talent | | | | Sunday's paper won't be listing any reviews. |
| style programs on these days - 'America's Got | | | | However, what does come away from the event, |
| Talent,' 'American Idol' and 'Dancing with the Stars' - | | | | and in big part the first dance, are the memories to |
| perhaps they just want to get into the act. Another | | | | be enjoyed for years to come. What do you think |
| thought is that this trend stems from the fact that | | | | most guests would want to remember - a couple of |
| we currently live in a culture that is just less | | | | show offs or a fun, enjoyable event? |
| traditional than ever before, including weddings. Since | | | | |