Let’s be honest: a first dance isn’t mandatory. You don’t have to perform a choreographed routine if that’s just not your thing. If you’d rather step onto the dance floor with your guests and move freely and spontaneously—great. Your wedding, your rules. But… if the idea of opening the party together with a dance that feels truly you does appeal to you, then I’d love to invite you to read on.
As a dance teacher at Slowfeet Studio, I’ve worked with countless couples preparing for their first dance. And most of them had no dance experience at all. Yet somehow, it always works out beautifully. So why am I such a fan of the first dance? Here are five reasons I often see in practice:
I don’t work from a fixed ‘dance manual’. I might teach you a few lovely moves or a full choreography, but most importantly, I create something that fits your personalities, your chosen song, and the energy between you. Sometimes playful, sometimes understated and romantic, sometimes with a wink. The music usually already tells a story—we simply bring it to life through movement.
“We can’t dance” is the sentence I hear most often. But trust me—you can. It might feel a little awkward at first, and sure, sometimes one of you hears the rhythm better than the other. But that’s exactly why you’re doing it together. And with a few lessons, we build your muscle memory step by step. Before you know it, you’ll be dancing with confidence. The best part? Many couples discover how much fun dancing together is and continue after the wedding!
Weddings can be full-on days, packed with emotion and to-dos. The dance becomes a moment of calm. No planning, no talking, no organising—just feeling. I often see couples arrive a little stressed from everything they still need to arrange, and leave the lesson reconnected and recharged. That moment together on the dance floor becomes a little pause in the chaos. It gets you out of your head and back into your body. A moment to really see each other again, while the world spins around you. And you’ll feel that.
If you tell yourself it has to be flawless and you mustn’t forget a single step, chances are it won’t be much fun. Let’s face it—your wedding day will be long and emotional, and things might not go exactly as rehearsed. That’s okay. During our training, we practise how to pick things up again if something slips, how to help each other through those moments. Laugh it off, make it part of the story, and just keep dancing. If you can let go of the need for perfection, your dance will naturally become a joyful highlight.
That first dance—whether it’s big and bold or quiet and intimate—is often one of the most memorable moments of the day. Not just during the wedding, but in the build-up too. Rehearsing together, laughing, figuring things out, growing into it. It’s something you share in the lead-up to the big day. And yes—it makes for some gorgeous photos too 😉
So, are you considering a first dance and want something that feels truly yours? Something that’s not a box to tick but a beautiful way to open the celebration together? Then I’d love to help.
I hope reading this article has given you the confidence that we can create something fun and meaningful for your first dance—no matter your experience level.
Shall we book a first lesson?
Send an email to info@slowfeetstudio.nl with your names, wedding date, the song you’d like to dance to, and your preference (if any) for a choreographed or improvised style. Not sure about that last part yet? No problem—just let me know. These next articles might also help you figure it out:
Whether you’re unsure about doing a first dance at all, or simply don’t know what style suits you as a couple—our Date Night Slow Dance Workshops might be just the thing for you.
These evenings are a fun night out where you and your partner get to dance to slow, romantic tunes. We’ll teach you some basic steps and a few lovely moves. It’s not only a relaxed and enjoyable evening together—it also gives you a feel for what it’s like to dance as a couple.
Afterwards, you’ll have a better idea of which direction you’d like to go. (And during the workshop, I’m happy to give you some personal advice too.)