Bridal Waltz Songs
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The Bridal Waltz is traditionally the most important song of your wedding reception. This is the first dance of the newly married couple as husband and wife. As modern music has replaced the traditional waltz, the bridal waltz is generally referred at the First Dance.
Of all the things that you do to prepare for your wedding, reviewing bridal waltz songs and choosing the right one for the two of you will be one of the most relaxing, romantic chores.
The music that you select will set the stage for that magic moment at the reception when the groom takes his new bride into his arms for their first dance as a married couple.
Well to get it right will take a little practise and some say around 12 hours is the amount of time you have to put into a 3 - 4 minute routine.
You can either learn from online waltz lesson videos or a local dance instructor can teach you the right techniques.
The Waltz is usually performed shortly after the wedding speeches and / or when dessert is ready to be served by the catering staff.
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More About the Bridal Waltz
The Bridal Waltz is one of the oldest styles of ballroom dancing and is a beautiful way to dance with your partner for the first time as a married couple... But how do you dance a Waltz? The waltz is a 3 count dance and the two most popular styles are the Viennese Waltz (Fast) and English Waltz (Slow). You will require a 3 count piece of music to learn your dance to but finding a modern piece of 3 step music may be a challenge.
The waltz first came into style in Austria in the mid-1600s. The word "waltz" comes from the German language, meaning to roll, glide, or turn. Before the waltz was introduced, proper dancing was done in a group. But with the waltz, two people faced each other and "gasp!" clasped one another as they circled the dance floor in gliding, turning movements. Disapproving critics pronounced it to be sinful and scandalous.
Its simplicity, compared to complicated group dances, was one of the reasons that it grew to popularity over the decades. And, it cannot be denied that people simply loved dancing with their arms around one another. As it became accepted in royal courts throughout Europe, naysayers eventually were silenced. In the early 1800s it was performed in the English court with much criticism in the newspaper of the day. Around 1835 it was introduced in America, but it did not gain acceptance in polite society for another fifteen years.
The Groom Invites the Bride
To properly invite his new wife to dance, the groom stands before her. He extends his left hand to her, and she takes it with her right hand. He then cups her right hand with both of his hands and then places his right hand on her left shoulder blade. She then responds by placing her left hand on his shoulder.
It's a good idea for the bride to stand slightly off center, toward the groom's right shoulder, where her left hand is placed. The reason for this is to avoid stepping on one another's feet as the dance steps begin.
It is acceptable for the father to cut in and finish the dance with the bride. However, it's more common for the bride and father to have a separate dance. The bridal waltz is a special time for the newlyweds.
Fast Waltz versus Slow Waltz?
Whether you prefer fast waltzes or slow ones really depends on your personal taste. Fast waltzes are played at up to 180 beats per minute, while slower ones are 90 to 105 beats per minute. Your choice depends upon which song expresses your love, and whether you prefer a faster or slower dance.
Here are some popular fast waltzes that you might want to choose for your reception:
That's Amore (Dean Martin)
Que Sera Sera (Doris Day)
Wunderbar (Traditional)
Vienna Dreams (Traditional Strauss waltz)
The Way You Look Tonight (Frank Sinatra)
Just In Time (Tony Bennett)
The slower waltzes are more romantic:
Only Time (Enya)
Could I Have This Dance (Anne Murray)
Tennessee Waltz (Patti Page)
Always and Forever (Heatwave)
Always (Atlantic Starr)
I'll Always Love You (Taylor Dayne)
At Last (Etta James)
Does It Have to be Three-Step?
There are some great bridal waltz songs that will celebrate your love with words that are meaningful to you. Unless you plan to spend time practicing your dance or even taking traditional waltz lessons, why not select something beautiful that just speaks about your love?
When I Fall in Love (Nat King Cole)
The Look of Love (Bacharach, Warwick)
Endless Love (Diana Ross, Lionel Ritchie)
We've Got Tonight (Bob Seger)
Tonight I Celebrate My Love (Peabo Bryson, Roberta Flack)
You're My Inspiration (Chicago)
Tips for Your Wedding Dance
First, check online or in your local area phone book for a dance studio. If you want to dance a proper waltz, call them and ask about lessons. You can even try a regular dance studio, where school students usually receive lessons, and ask if one of the teachers will spend a few sessions with you.
Online video lessons such as Louis Lets Dance are a great alternative for learning your waltz at home.
But it is also perfectly acceptable to just dance the way you dance, and you don't have to choose a song identified as a waltz as long as it has meaning for you. Also, visit Youtube.com and search for your favorite songs. Many albums feature brief clips so that you and your fiance can hear possible bridal waltz songs together and choose the best one for the two of you.
For even more Bridal Waltz song ideas, make sure you grab a copy of The Wedding Reception Kit which contains the Top Wedding Songs list, templates and hundreds of insider secrets to help with your celebration!
Wishing you a brilliant wedding day soundtrack,
Secret Wedding Songs
Popular, Modern, Fun & Memorable Wedding Song Ideas