First Dance Breakout or keep it simple?

I HATE break out coordinated first dances. I love to see a couple in love dancing to a song that means something to them, not trying to impress their guests by giving a show. I think giving a show is lame, lame, lame. I would much rather see you grade 8 dance if that's all you know how to do, at least it's real and you're moving together.

I second everything WasSoon2BMrsSmith said.

Here is a few other ideas that I don't think as lame.

If you're uncomfortable with the idea of swaying back and forth while all eyes are on you, give them something else to look at. Many DJs can accommodate couples who would like to project a large slideshow during the first dance. Showing off pictures of the two of you together will let guests in on the history of your relationship and, if the guests are watching the photos, there's a lot less pressure to pull off the perfect first dance.

Sing to one another if you are good at that

If you pick a long song have your dad cut in and make the father daugher dance part of it. Or start dancing with your dad and have DH cut in to show again dad giving you away, or Dh mother do that.

Or let wedding party join in with their date at a certain point.

We are just dancing to a song that is meaningful to us. Some of the coordinated dances are cute, but I'd rather save all that for something besides our first dance. It's totally a personal preference on my part.

I'm so over break-out dances. It was fun for awhile, but it's old. JMO!

We'd like to learn a choreographed waltz or something like that. More interesting than going in a circle, but not over-the-top either.

I wanted FH and I to do a "break-out" first dance but he REFUSES! He hates dancing! So he agreed to ONE dance to a slow song. That's it. So... instead... I talked my dad into doing one for our father-daughter dance!! I'm super excited! My older sister is more of the "good" child (I don't get in trouble, I'm just more adventurous... tattoos, piercings... you know, just a little more edgy and wild at times) and I KNOW when she gets married it will be all about tradition. That's just not me. Our wedding is EXTREMELY non-traditional. Plus not very many people know the crazy side of my dad... haha. I can hardly wait!

We are doing the surprise 1st day, I HATE SLOW DANCING and in fact I feel like we will be all Jr High, but FH really loves the idea of the slow dance I just hate that all eyes will be on me. But with a break out dance I feel it will get the crowd going for what kind of party it is going to be!!

Nope, traditional is the BEST unless you are both trained dancers. Because as a trained dancer, when I see two non-dancers trying to do a choreographed routine, I can't help but cringe. When I see two people in love moving naturally, it's sweet.

I want to do a break out dance but FH is soooo against it. I still have 8 months to convince him.

We decided that we are going to take dance lesson and mix a little salsa with our traditional first dance. Since we both love salsa music and dancing, we thought it would be fun.

I was just looking at dances on youtube tonight. Some where awesome and some were lame. Also notice that alot of the same songs were being used and that got old really quick

The Bride and Groom ... together dancing their first dance as Husband and Wife ... alone but as one. !!!

Thanks everyone for the great advice! I wonder HOW I would get through this whole wedding process without a wedding planner if I didn't have this forum!!! I think I'm going to stick with the traditional first dance and maybe incorporate my dad cutting in or vice versa.

Me and DH are doing a breakout dance. We are working on our moves now. We are goofy funny people and it'll be cute and funfor all

Unless its truly your personality keep it traditional. You want the wedding video to be TIMELESS! Compare watching our parents slow dance in the 70s versus doing the funky chicken or whatever was "hot" back then. Also consider the level or formality for your event. It can be "not stuffy" simply by choosing the right songs.

On a slightly related note-- if you *are* going to be moving around a lot during your first dance, tell you photog-- my husband and I took ballroom dancing in college, so we know how to waltz and were moving around quite a bit during the song-- the photog said later he had trouble keeping up cause he just didn't expect it! Of course, if 'break out' first dances are so common now (I haven't seen one, but I haven't been to a wedding in years!), all photogs may be primed for lots of movement, anyway.

Unless you're a pro dancer or practice every day for 2 hours until your wedding, I would advise against break out dancing.

My H is a horrible dancer and so is his mother but they stole the show at our wedding - they did Chubby Checker's - The Twist - which was a nice change of pace after 2 slow dances (our dance & Father/Bride dance). Everyone clapped!

MrsSmith I LOVE the giving-away dance thing or having the bridal party come in...

Damnit! Third time in 24 hours I've gotten all weepy over wedding plans! I think I'm beginning to realize it's all REAL!!!

SHHH MY MASCARA'S GONNA RUN!!!