The many dances of a wedding

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Weddings are filled with dances. Lots and lots of dancing. It’s not required but there are a ton of different traditional dances that you might choose to have or not, either way the choice is obviously yours. Here are the most common and traditional dances so you can learn what they are and what the significance and reason for having them is so you can make your decisions.

First dance
The bride and groom dance together for the first time as a married couple. It is set to their song, whatever song they first danced to or a song that means a lot to them and they both love for one reason or another. The first dance is as it says, the first dance of the night and all eyes are on the happy couple.

Mother/Son dance
The groom and his mother dance to a sentimental and often sappy teary eyed song. It’s the symbolism of a mother giving her son away and wishing him well in his new life where he will be the provider and have to care for the newest woman in his life, his wife.

Father/daughter dance
The bride and her father dance to a sappy, sweet song and enjoy their special time together. It’s a symbol of a father giving away his little girl and having one more special dance with her before she heads off into true womanhood and has someone else to care for her.

Parents and grandparents dance
The parents and grandparents of the bride and groom all together during a nice song that is typically an older song so that all the generations know it and can appreciate it.

Wedding party dance
All members of the wedding party get up and dance. This is supposed to be the dance that gets the party going and encourages others to get up and boogey soon after.

The money dance
A chance for everyone else to dance with the bride and groom. Traditionally people give the bride or groom some cash and dance with them for a few moments. It’s their time to give the couple some honeymoon cash and spend a minute talking to them and congratulating them on the start of their new lives.