The Official Wedding Dance Glossary

Planning your wedding dance can feel overwhelming – especially when everyone seems to be speaking a different language. What’s a mashup routine? What’s the difference between choreography and freestyle? And what exactly is the “High School Bearhug” (and how do you avoid it)?

This glossary breaks down everything you need to know. Consider it your wedding dance dictionary.

First Dance Options

Dance Routine – Also referred to as “First Dance”

A dance routine is a grouping of dance steps set to a piece of music. Learning a dance routine is becoming a traditional feature in weddings today.

In fact, this is the most popular option for couples with limited time. You learn a specific sequence of moves that matches your song, practice it until it feels natural, and perform it on your big day. Simple, elegant, effective.

The Second Dance – Also referred to as “Oh, you thought we were done?” or “Check this out”

A second routine performed later in the reception. This dance routine is performed to a different song, with a different dance. So, if your first dance is classic and elegant, then your second dance can be fun, funky, and sexy.

Why do couples choose this option? Because one dance isn’t enough to show off everything they’ve learned. The first dance sets the romantic tone. The second dance gets the party started.

Mashup Routine – Also referred to as “One of those surprise routines” or “1 million YouTube views”

This is the dance version of a “bait-and-switch.” This usually starts out looking like your typical, run-of-the-mill, high school slow dance. The audience will try their best not to groan… and then, you pull the rug out from under them!

An uptempo song follows with fun and well rehearsed choreography. The audience freaks out, the minister faints, and your wedding reception is now the stuff of legend.

Fair warning: mashup routines require significant preparation time. You’re essentially learning two routines plus the transition between them. But if you’re willing to put in the work, the payoff is unforgettable.

Freestyle – Also referred to as “How long have you been dancing?” and “You weren’t even counting or crying out there!”

To dance together without the need of choreography. Think of this like public speaking without note cards or a slideshow. This takes more time, and is the top shelf approach for potential wedding dancers. To accomplish this, the couple makes their first dance the catalyst to becoming good dancers, but their goals go far beyond those 2 minutes dancing together.

“… the couple makes their first dance the catalyst to becoming good dancers, but their goals go far beyond those 2 minutes dancing together.”

This is the option for couples who want dance skills for life – not just for one wedding day. It takes longer to develop, but the result is a lifetime of confident dancing at every event that follows.

High School Bearhug – Our affectionate term for the monotonous, slow, sway-dance seen at most high school proms. If this dance is any indicator of what the reception, and the marriage, will be like – avoid this survival option if at all possible.

We’ve all seen it. The couple locks into position, barely moves their feet, and sways back and forth for three minutes while staring at the floor. Don’t be that couple.

Dance Technique

Timing – To dance with the correct tempo of the music. This is what separates dancing from random movement. When your steps match the beat, everything looks intentional.

Floorcraft – The skill of navigating around the dance floor. On your wedding day, this might not matter much – you’ll have the floor to yourselves. But at every party after that, you’ll need to avoid collisions.

Choreography – A sequence of patterns assembled and memorized to form a finished routine. The more you practice, the more automatic it becomes.

Dance Frame – The proper way to hold your partner during your dance. Good frame creates connection, allows for clear communication, and looks beautiful in photos.

Leading and Following – The ability to send clear signals (leading) and stay sensitive to those signals (following) so you can dance naturally, and freestyle, without the need for choreography. This is the advanced skill that takes couples from “routine dancers” to “real dancers.”

Openings and Endings – More elaborate dance performances will include choreographed entrances, endings, spins, and dips. These are the moments that get photographed and remembered.

Official Reception Dances

The Money Dance – The bride and groom showcase their dancing skills with paying guests; and put a small dent in the bill for the open bar.

Father/Daughter Dance – A nice opportunity for Dad to put on his dance shoes, and for everyone else to grab a tissue. A father daughter dance is a time honored tradition.

Mother/Son Dance – The mother and son dance can be combined with the Father/Daughter dance. On that same note, Mother will combine dancing with crying, advice, or never-before-seen dance ability.

Un-Official Reception Dances

Merengue Line – A fun and easy party dance that gets a big group involved. Think of it like a latin aerobics class, but without the leotard. Perfect for getting reluctant dancers onto the floor.

Snowball Dance – When a pair of dancers start a dance, they separate and invite two more onto the floor. Every 15-20 seconds the pairs split, invite new dancers, and dance until there is no one left seated. A great way to get the entire reception involved.

A Mixer – A simple dance to get everyone acquainted. The leaders stand on one side of the dance floor, the followers the other. The first leader and follower meet in the middle and dance down the center of the floor between the two lines. Once they are halfway down the floor, the next couple begins.

The Soul Train Line – Similar to a mixer, but replace big band music with “Funkytown,” and showboat down the middle of the floor.

Formation – also referred to as “Wedding Party Dance,” “Groomsmen Dance,” and “Bridal Party Dance”

A choreographed group dance number. This is great to use as a “Second Dance,” but done as a group with members of the Wedding Party. Warning: requires your wedding party to actually learn and practice the routine. Results vary.

The Most Important Item

Wedding Dance Consultation – A complimentary appointment where you and your fiance can share your thoughts and ideas about your vision for adding dancing to your wedding. Your wedding specialist will introduce you to some basics, recommend the best wedding dance program for you, and help set a strategy to achieving your goals.

This is where it all begins. Before you choose a routine style, before you pick a song, before you stress about anything – schedule a consultation. A professional can assess where you’re starting from and help you figure out where you want to go.

The consultation is free. The advice is invaluable. And the peace of mind that comes from having a plan? Priceless.