Alternatives for first dance?

What if, while you are getting pictures done and your guests are at cocktail hour, you arrange to do a first dance in private? You could pick a nice, secluded area, put on a song and have only you guys and the photographer. That way you've still had a first dance as husband and wife but he doesn't feel as self-conscious. Could also make for some beautiful pictures. The other alternative would be to announce that your first dance is open and have everyone join you on the dance floor right away so your FH feels less 'in the spotlight'

I agree with trying to do one in private, or, just skip it altogether. I don't think there are any "alternatives" to that. Either you have a dance, or you don't.

I agree with pp. I would try to see if they will let you use the bridal suite (if they have one) to do your first dance in. It would be a good chance to get away from everyone and enjoy each other

Thanks everyone! Hadn't thought of doing one in private.

My friend who hates attention and her now-husband did it where they only danced the first 30 seconds of their song, then had everyone come on the dance floor and join them. I thought it was pretty sweet.

Would he be comfortable if everyone else joined in the first dance? Like the entire wedding party dances, and then the band/DJ can announce that anyone who would like to join the couple can dance as well. That way the pressure of having you guys be the main focus is off.
I also don't see anything wrong with skipping it too but that could also just be my opinion.

My father will not be at my wedding, so there will be no father daughter dance. With that being said, I think (I have more than enough time to change my mind), I am going to do a longest couple dance instead, and give the couple married longest a gift.
I like to private dance idea too, but if you feel your guests will be missing out, a longest couple dance would give them something to cherish through the wedding and after.

I would just skip it if you don't want to have one. I don't think there is any obligation to replace it with anything else. Personally, I'm not having one as I have no interest in having a crowd watch me dance... It isn't something that is fundamental to the guest experience in the way that food, drinks, seating, etc. is, so I would say it is really up to you if you want to do it.

Thanks everyone! Some of my family members were making me feel like it would be weird not to have a first dance at all but seeing these comments make me feel way better about not having one. There will be plenty of other moments during the day that will be special for both of us

So what we decided to do for the same reasons is have a ceildah (Irish line dancing band). That way everyone does the 'first dance' together, the dance is modelled first by the band and no one person or couple is ever dancing by themselves. I don't know what you have planned, but maybe being really obvious and saying everyone dances together as suggested above, so you share this moment with all the important people in your life as you start your new life together is a way around it?

My fiancé and I for our first dance is going to be The Ship Song by Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds

The first dance with my dad is going to be Times Of Your Life by Paul Anka