The FIRST First Dance

Dance and tradition go hand in hand like a bride and groom.  As a dance instructor at Bella Ballroom in Orange County, I get to work with wedding couples in preparation for their first dance nearly every day.  Now more than ever I see that the value of preparing a first dance goes way beyond just the dancing.  As the big day approaches, wedding plans and work often crowd a couple’s schedule.  Preparing a first dance gives the marrying duo a chance to connect before the wedding.  It’s also an opportunity for a bride and groom to learn something new and create something together.   They gain social dance skills they will use the rest of their lives as a married couple and will prepare something for their friends and family to enjoy. (Or at the very least they’ll feel more comfortable on the dance floor in front of all of their guests!)  

While these values make valid sense in today’s world, I wonder how and why the first dance tradition began.  After a little research, here is what I found out:

The First First Dance
By Ziva Emtiyaz

            While the first dance between a bride and groom is commonly accepted as a modern European and American wedding tradition, it is uncommonly known why.  There are various theories to how this ritual began. One explanation comes from the Eastern European idea of a formal ball...  READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE

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