Father-daughter dance first?

salty&sweetie

I had thought this was done all the time, but I can't find anything on it anywhere. I'm doing choreographed dances at my wedding reception, and I want to dance with my dad first and then have him hand me to my new husband for our first dance, just like my dad gives me away at the ceremony. Now I'm finding that traditionally, the couple's first dance is always first. Would it be horribly offensive if I switched it? I don't want anyone to think that I'm slighting my groom, but the music works much better in this order, and for some reason I've always pictured dancing with my dad first. Please help. Thanks!

MelissaAnne88

While traditionally you dance with your husband first, there is no rule about the order of things in a reception. Some guests may perceive it as odd, but as long as you (and your FI!!!) are okay with it, then go for it!

But make sure your FI doesn't feel like he's getting the short end of the stick...

Milsey32

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_customs-traditions_father-daughter-dance-first?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:36Discussion:0dd530c0-c9ab-4f3f-9972-bc28e76ce852Post:ca89f5ce-e70c-4517-9074-8c10c411be3a">Re: Father-daughter dance first?</a>:
[QUOTE]While traditionally you dance with your husband first, there is no rule about the order of things in a reception. Some guests may perceive it as odd, but as long as you (and your FI!!!) are okay with it, then go for it! <strong>But make sure your FI doesn't feel like he's getting the short end of the stick...</strong>
Posted by MelissaAnne88[/QUOTE]

<div>this</div>

mctlong

Go for it.

We did:
1st dance
Mother/son dance
Father/daughter dance

Towards the end of the father-daughter dance, my husband formally "cut in". This was a sign to the DJ to begin the open dancing and this was our symbolic way of having my dad give me away on the dance floor.

MairePoppy

Traditionally, no one else may dance before bride and groom have their first dance. And the other dances are done throughout the reception, rather than one right after another, so the guests can join in. Otherwise, they might get bored. How long is this dance sequence that your planning?

mandi921vh

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_customs-traditions_father-daughter-dance-first?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:36Discussion:0dd530c0-c9ab-4f3f-9972-bc28e76ce852Post:649787c0-e11b-450e-8fe4-d084d859bad7">Re: Father-daughter dance first?</a>:
[QUOTE]Traditionally, no one else may dance before bride and groom have their first dance. And the other dances are done throughout the reception, rather than one right after another, so the guests can join in. Otherwise, they might get bored. How long is this dance sequence that your planning?
Posted by MairePoppy[/QUOTE]

<div>This.</div>

salty&sweetie

It's not very long, really. A short and sweet dance with Dad, and a more dramatic one with my groom. I'm sad and a little surprised to see that some people don't like the special dances. Unless it's excessive - like everyone in the wedding party having their own feature - the special dances are just that: special.

Perhaps I'm unique, but I personally love watching and taking pictures of the the dances at weddings, especially if they are doing something that was obviously planned and prepared with some forethought, instead of just slow dancing through the whole song. One of my favorites was my cousin; she did a choreographed waltz and it was beautiful. I wanted something of the same caliber.

Regarding the boredom factor, it's worth mentioning that there is no mother-son dance (they didn't care to do it), so these two are the only "features". I have tried to make them crowd-pleasers and I figure no one should get bored with what we're offering, but if they do they can socialize with their dessert plate while we're on the floor.