Over the years, Arthur Murray Dance Studios have helped countless couples make a statement with an incredible first dance. So, for those of you that are looking for ideas for your first dance, or if you just like to read about celebrity-related articles – we decided to highlight a few celebrity wedding dances from some of our favorite celebrity couples. Keep in mind, these accounts are fiction, but are completely available to you for your wedding day – and beyond.
Celebrity Wedding Dances: Find Your Style
Every wedding tells a story. Your first dance is the opening chapter. And while you may not have Don Draper’s budget or Antonio Banderas’ natural intensity, you absolutely have access to the same dances they would choose.
The question isn’t whether you can pull off something memorable. The question is: what story do you want to tell?
Don Draper’s Wedding Dance
The martini bar is working a double shift at this old-Vegas soiree. There are plenty of boas, bow ties, and a swingin’ band playing all the standards (no trace of the electric slide). As the newlyweds enter the room the band slips into “I only have eyes for you” – the original big band, no Motown. Don takes his wife, a French stewardess on Air France, into a dance frame that looks stately, yet easy and comfortable. They transition right into a smooth foxtrot; eyes locked on each other and we have all just disappeared. Dip, kiss, applause, and another sip of a martini. Don gives the band leader a nod and the band plays Count Basie’s version of “April in Paris.” The reception could end now and it would be the event of the decade.
You want this if: You want something high class but with low effort.
The drink of the night: The classic Martini
The vibe: Mad Men meets Old Hollywood. Effortless sophistication. The kind of first dance that makes your grandmother tear up and your college friends reconsider their life choices.
In fact, the Foxtrot is the most forgiving of the ballroom dances. It moves at a walking pace, allows for conversation, and looks elegant without requiring years of training. Perfect for couples who want class without stress.
Cinderella & Prince Charming
When Prince Charming and Cinderella decide to tie the knot, it will, as it should, be an event of a lifetime. With the threat of paparazzi, thousands of invitations, and chefs, priests, and jewelers to interview; our fairy tale couple enjoys the ease of their wedding dance choice – the Waltz. It’s timeless, elegant, and sets the tone for any fairytale wedding and reception.
So if he’s wearing tails, riding a horse, has royal bloodlines, or if he fits your description of Prince Charming; this is the ultimate in elegant wedding dances.
The Dance: Waltz
You want this if: You want something that will make your grandma cry.
The drink of the night: Champagne
The vibe: Disney princess energy. Flowing dress, sweeping turns, the full romantic fantasy. This is the dance that little girls dream about before they even know what a wedding is.
The Waltz works beautifully in large ballrooms where you have space to move. The rise and fall creates a visual that photographs and videos capture perfectly. If you’re planning a traditional, elegant affair, this is your answer.
Antonio Banderas & Melanie Griffith (renewing their vows)
Although we are only speculating, there’s a 99.9999% probability that Antonio and Melanie will opt for Tango as their first dance, and a Latin dance festival for the remainder of the reception. They enter the room, adorned with ice sculptures fashioned into matadors, with all the colors of heat: reds and vibrant orange. This is not a typical wedding reception. Since this is the second time around for the Hollywood super-couple, Melanie takes plenty of risks – starting with a red tango dress for the reception. Antonio, in less of a surprise, has ditched his bow-tie – and 6 of the buttons on his red tuxedo shirt. A small tango band of strings, accordions, and guitarists open with a spellbinding acoustic version of the “Roxanne Tango,” and the audience is mesmerized as they flawlessly recreate Antonio’s tango scene from “Take the Lead.” The floor is steaming. Mission accomplished.
Think of it like: You need the drama and want people to faint.
The drink of the night: A Cuba Libre to start. Then water, and plenty of it.
The vibe: Intense, passionate, unforgettable. This is not for the faint of heart. The Tango demands commitment, practice, and a willingness to be the center of attention in a very dramatic way.
Fair warning: the Tango requires more preparation than other options. But if you and your partner have the time and the desire to create something genuinely jaw-dropping, this is the path.
Which Celebrity Wedding Dance is Right for You?
The real question isn’t which dance is “best” – it’s which dance matches your personality as a couple.
- Foxtrot: For couples who value elegance and ease. Low pressure, high class.
- Waltz: For the romantics who want a fairy tale moment. Traditional and beautiful.
- Tango: For adventurous couples ready to make a statement. Dramatic and unforgettable.
Not sure which direction to go? That’s what your first wedding dance consultation is for. A professional can watch you move, learn about your vision, and recommend the perfect fit for your big day.
The Best Part
These aren’t just dances for your wedding day. They’re skills you’ll carry into your marriage. Anniversary dinners, cruise ship evenings, holiday parties – every event becomes an opportunity to dance together.
Your wedding day starts the story. Your dance program helps you write the rest.
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