My Top Three Tips For Top Notch First Dance Photos

The first dance is perhaps one of the most iconic wedding traditions. It’s that magic moment when newlyweds step into the spotlight together and open the dance floor for their guests. How the first dance plays out, is very much down to the couple. Some people invest hours practising and rehearsing a choreographed dance - love you guys, it makes for some amazing photos. 

Others couples prefer not to be the centre of attention for too long and quickly get their guests (usually the ushers and bridesmaids) onto the floor a.s.a.p to take the heat off - this also makes for some amazing dance floor shots, but in this case we’re talking more group party vibes rather than a quiet intimate moment. Whatever you want your first dance to be, here are my top tips to help make sure you get at least a few amazing first dance photos before the rest of your guests take over the dancefloor and really get the party started.

FUN FACT by the way, did you know we can thank the royals for the first dance tradition? The dancefloors at royal balls were traditionally opened either by the monarch themselves, a chosen noble or a guest of honor, setting the tone for the evening's festivities. That means in theory, that the way you choose to do your first dance can have a huge influence on the rest of your wedding celebrations, which is well worth keeping in mind when your choosing the song!

So how can you make your wedding first dance a great photo opportunity?

1. Tell your photographer there’s going to be a first dance.

Well first and foremost, tell your photographer (me hopefully) that you’re having a first dance! While it is still a super popular tradition to have a first dance, not everyone does, so please don’t assume your photographer is expecting you to have one too. For me, I like to make as few assumptions as possible because I know all couples and weddings are different and it’s important for me to treat every wedding I shoot as a personal, unique, truly magical event. It’s not one size fits all. 

2.) Practice a dance, because IMO standing and swaying isn’t dancing!

Now I’m not saying you’ve got to go all out in a choreographed dance routine that takes hours and hours of classes, training and practice (but if you do - amazing!). What I am saying is spend some time practicing something more than just standing and swaying. Trust me I get it, standing and swaying can feel comfortable, especially if you're not a natural dancer or a lover of the spotlight, but adding a little more movement to a first dance really can help make the moment even more special for you and your guests. 

A well practiced twirl, a dramatic dip or even just a playful spin can give the dance some added oomph and create some magic moments that’ll look incredible in your wedding first dance photos. Not only that, it can help you and your partner feel more engaged and present, turning what can sometimes be a nerve-wracking moment into something a little more fun and memorable. After all, they say practice makes perfect for a reason!

3.) Enjoy the moment, it’s yours 🙂 (and by the time your guests join in, you’ll be lost in the crowd)

Last but by no means least, if you’re having a first dance then make sure you enjoy the moment. Don’t rush to get your guests on the dancefloor too - there’ll be plenty of time for that later. Why? Because the first dance is one of the very few moments during your wedding day where you can slow down, and take a moment to soak in the joy of your special day and be fully present with each other before the energy shifts into total celebration mode.

On a practical note, enjoying this moment before guests flood the dancefloor ensures that photographers like me can capture beautiful, uninterrupted shots of your first dance without distractions like flailing arms, splashing drinks and all that good stuff that comes with a full dancefloor. It’s a small but significant pause before the party truly begins.

Have you got your first dance all figured out?