A new survey of 1,500 newlyweds by QHotels has found that 22% now choreograph their first wedding dance, and 15% of those are so proud of it that they share it with the rest of the world on YouTube!
The new trend coincides with a rise in popularity of dancing shows like Strictly Come Dancing, Stepping Out and Got to Dance. Couples appear to be keen to prove to friends and family that they are compatible all around – including on the dancefloor.
First dance songs have evolved along with the dance too, and although 8% of those surveyed had their first dance to a romantic slow jam, ‘Truly, Madly, Deeply’ by Savage Garden, songs like Abba’s ‘Dancing Queen’ and ‘What is Love’ by Haddaway also proved popular choices.
We caught up with one couple who did exactly this, Matthew and Ellie, who got married in 2011 and here’s what they had to say…
“We danced to ‘I’ve Had the Time of my Life’ from the film, Dirty Dancing,” says Ellie. “We watched the dance in the film, and picked the main bits from it, plus filled up some gaps by choreographing those ourselves.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDF9tS_ih-Y
“We did it in our little living room for the few weeks leading up to the wedding. Playing, pausing and rewinding the film! That was good fun, we had so many laughs.”
So what inspired the couple to do a routine like this? “We were having trouble finding a song that we both liked that was actually a ‘love song’. I knew I wanted a song that was pretty well known, so that when we are listening to the radio in the future, it might come on and spark happy memories of the day.”
“Everyone remembers it as our song, so at Christmas dos, and other weddings we’ve attended, someone always ends up requesting it and goading us into recreating the routine!” adds Ellie. “It’s great!”
Why not share you first dance with us? Don’t be shy – upload it to YouTube and send us a link! Get some more top tips for your first dance by just clicking here.
