Wedding Songs

Foxtrot or Swing? What Do You Choose For Your First Dance?

Have you decided how it will be your first wedding dance? I think that every bride dreams about this moment when she is floating around the dance floor in the arms of her husband while everybody admires them. The first dance is the symbol of beginning a new life together. It is the first moment that you share after leaving the wedding ceremony. Usually the first wedding dance is very romantic and slow melodies go hand in hand with such moment.




But this is not a cliché anymore. Nowadays couples choose different ways of personalizing their special moments. Slow dances can be found in many different forms. The big bear hug is now replaced by many other options. For example Foxtrot and Swing dances are becoming more and more popular for weddings.

The Foxtrot is easy to learn and works great with slow love songs. It is a smooth dance, often associated with the music of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. But it was actually made popular by Harry Fox in his 1913 Vaudeville Routine. Here are some examples of Foxtrot:

A Wink and a Smile by Harry Connick, Jr.

L.O.V.E. by Nat King Cole

Fly me to the Moon by Frank Sinatra

You’re Nobody ‘Till Somebody Loves You by Dean Martin

Something’s Gotta Give by Sammy Davis Jr.

World On A String by Peggy Lee

Come Fly With Me by Frank Sinatra

Night And Day by Rod Stewart

Swing dancing is an American dance with origins going back to 1920′s. Swing is also known as Jitterbug, Jive, West Coast or Lindy to honor Charles Lindberg, a great American aviator. It was first introduced in 1934 by Cab Calloway as Jitterbug, the name coming from the 6 count beat basic of the dance.

It is a fun and playful love dance which brings happiness to people and will set good tone for the party. Swing is relaxed, casual and popular among active couples. Swing is easy to learn in short time. The Single Swing is made of simpler footwork and an extremely up tempo music.

The West Coast Swing and the Lindy are characterized by an 8 count beat and both partners turn 180 degrees during every movement, to exchange places. It is smooth, sexy and popular among people who like country and funk music styles. Lindy is bouncy and incorporates some Charleston kicks and acrobatic lifts, also called aerials.
You have here some suggestions of swing songs:

It Don’t Mean a Thing if You Ain’t Got that Swing by Duke Ellington

Rock Around the Clock by Bill Haley and the Comets

Americano by Brian Setzer

Sing Sing Sing – Swing Kids soundtrack

How Sweet It Is by Marvin Gaye

I Feel Lucky by Mary Chapin Carpenter

This Kiss by Faith Hill

There’s Your Trouble by the Dixie Chicks

Fever by Peggy Lee

Hallelujah, I Love Her So by Ray Charles

Knock Me A Kiss by Louis Jordan

Moondance by Van Morrison

Cheek to Cheek by Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong

For Dancers Only by Jimmie Lunceford

Let’s Fall in Love by Diana Krall

No matter the dance you choose, remember that it is your special day and a moment meant to be shared by both you. The song that you will choose will help you determine the choreography of your first dance dance. If you decide on one of the above mentioned rhythms, you should also practice some steps. Knowing how to dance will add an elegant touch to your special moment.

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