When is the first Dance?

I don't really know if this is the tradition but all the weddings i've been to they had the first dance right after they were done eating that way as u said all the guest are ready to dance. and it kind of starts everything. That's the way i'm doing mine lol

And that is EXACTLY what I thought too but then what do you do after you make your first entrance as husband and wife? Im really confused

There's no hard and fast rule. I think where you're from also makes a difference. Here in the Chicago area, the most common time is after dinner. However, more and more couples are choosing to do their first dance before dinner. I believe that is also more common in the northeast. But do what makes the most sense for you.

Having it done right after intro's in a new trend; I personally really like it this way but it's an individual choice.

Traditionally the couple's go right to their table, often times they do the toasts right away, some choose to have dinner first, then toasts and dancing.

Most of the weddings I've done lately, have had it right after being announced. That is somewhat dead time anyway as the final preps are being put together for the food, and you're likely crossing the dance floor to your table anyway. Gives people time to get their bar drinks before the food is served.

YOu can do it either way. We ended up dancin right after being announced mostly because we had an intricate dance that we wanted finished before we started drinking and getting all stuffed with dinner. It worked out great though. After dinner, we kicked off the dance floor with the parent dances. Either way is fine, it's just personal preference

I am from the northeast and most of us do our first dance after we are introduced so that is when we plan to do ours. We are going to save the mushy stuff, father/daughter & mother/son dances for after dinner. WE are doing buffet so it should be pretty quick! My FH does not like to dance so he plans on only doing those 2 dances and that is it. We'll see about that!

Traditionally, just after the two of you have entered the room where the reception is and someone announces, "I would like to introduce you to the new Mr and Mrs. whatever. You would then go directly to the dance floor and have your "First Dance.", not after the meal.

Thank you...i guess thats what we will do then

All the weddings I have been in and to have all had the 1st dance at the end of the dinner right after the speaches. The speaches are done as people are finishing their food and the first dance when they are done. It helps move things along a bit I think because you arnt trying to find time later on for them nor are you putting off dinner for the dance since the couple gets their food first. We are doing ours this way for sake of timing as well as we will need a few drinks to be able to get up and dance by ourselves in front of everyone. Also we are having our bridal party and parents join us half way through our first dance since the song is so long and they all took waltz leassons with us.

One of the reasons to consider your First Dance right after the introduction is your DJ has all of your guests seated and they are paying attention! In fact it is a good idea to have all of the traditional dances at that time. Your parents, bridal party everyone is there. Your Photographer is also ready and there. As you are introduced your have your first dance then head to your table. Generally as guests get done eating they head to the rest rooms, bar and outdoors for a cigarette if they smoke. They are ready to start celebrating. Save the garter & bouquet toss, cake cutting etc after dinner during the celebration after dinner

I'm not to sure what the "tradition" is... But we're doing our dance right after being announced... That way we have everyones attention. Then we're doing all our toast after dinner.

I've occasionally seen it before dinner as a continuation of the introductions. it is a bit more of grand spectacle at that point because you have the full attention of the room and people are pumped up from the entrance. After dinner people tend to have their attention a little more scattered. Usually when you do your first dance at the entrance you still save the mother son, father daughter dances for after dinner to kick things off.

We are planning on having ours after dinner. Another thing that we are doing that is really different is we are going to have mother/son dance then father/daughter dance and then we are going to have our parents hand us off to each other from those dances for our first dance.

Just another thing to consider that I thought of. If you have ALL the dances (first dance and both parent dances) after dinner together, that's almost 15 minutes of people sitting there watching dances. It gets old really quick! SO it might be a nice idea to break the monotony up a bit by having the first dance before dinner.

Most weddings, we do the first dance after the introduction you will get introduced to the dance floor have your dance, then toasts, blessing (if you are having one).Then dinner, other dances we usually do after dinner so that your guests aren't sitting for 10 minutes watching the dancing. With that said it is your wedding day do what you want there is no hard fast rule.

Congratulations !