Each Wednesday, we tackle wedding etiquette. At times, it’s a reader question or one from a colleague, friend or family member and other times we’ll cover a popular issue. (Note: Questions may be edited for clarity and brevity.)
Question: My fiancé and I are both painfully shy introverts and, to be honest, neither of us love dancing. Probably for that reason. The wedding ceremony and toasts will be challenging enough for us, let alone having to dance in front of a couple hundred people. Do we have to do a first dance at our wedding reception?
Answer: Weddings can be tough for those who are shy or introverted, much less both. Give yourselves a break and forgo the first dance. Most traditions are the couple’s choice and this one is no exception. Some couples invite the entire wedding party to join them, if that’s something you’d want to do, but if not, you can always ask your DJ or a member of the band to make the announcement when the time is right that the couple would like to invite everyone who wants to dance to make their way to the dance floor and get their groove on. That way no one is waiting around for you to kick it off. Have fun watching your loved ones cut a rug while you enjoy mixing and mingling or have a few quiet moments to yourselves.
P.S. Listen to the latest episode of the new “The Wediquette: A Let Them Eat Cake Podcast,” here, on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
