Although the ‘old’ days had a very basic structure to the wedding schedule of events, times have changed … and those rules don’t always apply anymore. So, when it comes to who dances with whom at the reception, these days you can pick and choose.
Lining up the Dance Partners
It goes without saying that the bride and the groom dance first. This creates a beautiful photo opp for everyone who brought a camera. The next dance can include the wedding party and their respective partners, along with the new couple. The parent dances come next. The bride dances with her father, and the groom dances with his mother. Then the bride dances with her new father-in-law, and the groom dances with his new mother-in-law. In the case of extended families, it’s thoughtful to switch it up so that each half of the couple dances with all the stepparents, too.
If the bride or groom has a deceased parent, another relative can step in. Someone should announce to everyone why this is happening. This is a great way to honor those who’ve passed while still celebrating the moment. After these traditional dances, you’ll find more opportunities to plan dances with other special people in everyone’s life. But keep in mind: it can be boring for guests to sit at the tables and watch dance after dance. It’s sometimes more fun if you invite everyone on the dance floor after the crucial dances finish up.
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photo credit: stewartbaird via photopin cc