Open Question
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Open Question - Dancing In Church?
May 11th, 2007 @ 4:55 pm by Open Question
I would like to plan a traditional church wedding with a reception following in the fellowship hall. In my head, I would love to have music and dancing. (Nothing that would be unappropriate at the church of course.) However, I have had people comment to me that you should NEVER have music or dancing at the church, even in the fellowship hall for a reception. I wanted to know what others thought about doing this. Did you have music and dancing at your church wedding. It’s a Christian church not belonging to any denomination.
- Amanda
16 Responses to “Open Question - Dancing In Church?”
i think it would depend on you church. i know at my church we don’t play secular [or regular] music so a reception wouldn’t be available in our situation. i don’t know how this will play out for ceremony music but as far as the party and dancing that would be a no. check with your church and see what their policy is.
Tea has the right idea - if they don’t want you dancing, they won’t allow it. If they don’t mind, they won’t have a policy forbidding it… but definitely mention you plan to censor no matter what 
I have pictures of me, as a child, dancing with the pastor’s son at the reception in the fellowship hall following the pastor’s daughter’s wedding. Actually, I may have a picture of me dancing with the pastor.
Rules vary by church (covered shoulders, alcohol, dancing, etc.) Check with the church and/or officiant.
It definitely depends on the church and their doctrine of belief. I was born and raised in a Southern Baptist church and dancing in the church is against the rules, period. So, we are having our reception away from the church. Ask your pastor/preacher/priest what the rules are on that. And remember, it shouldn’t matter what other people think; it’s your wedding, do what you want (as long as the written rules of your location allow).
Yeah, ask the church. Were you thinking of (censored) hiphop-type music? Or a more classic swing/jazz/Sinatra-like atmosphere? I can’t imagine a church would be too opposed to that.
Checking with the church is probably best, like everyone else suggested. For instance, the church I attend doesn’t believe in instrumental worship music. (Although I don’t necessarily agree) The other thing is, some churches allow purely secular music, Christian and non-Christian, or none at all. Good luck!
I grew up in a church that is VERY strict no-dancing, but know quite a few churches that allow it. Do the people that were saying no dancing ever attend the church you’re getting married at?
I would talk with the pastor/LBA. There are many churches that don’t allow dancing, but if it is a non-denominational church they may be mare relaxed on the issue. I know that my church denomination no longer forbids it for it’s members, but it is not allowed at all in the church. My FI’s grandfather is a retired leader in the denomination, so we won’t be dancing at all, wether the reception is in the fellowship hall or not.
if there was dancing at a church reception, I would NOT be up there dancing.
The notion that you shouldn’t is weird to me. dunno if my being Catholic makes any difference. I do know that parish organizations have dinner-dance events in our church hall (attended by middle aged parishioners :P) as well as family friendly variety/cabaret shows.
Ask the priest how he feels about it.
I’m on board with the “ask your church” idea. I’ve only been to two weddings where the reception was in the fellowship hall, and to my knowledge, there was definitely dancing! They probably had restrictions on the music that was allowed, but there was secular music and everything (I remember doing the YMCA)…
I agree with Miss popcorn, i’m catholic too and boy do we dance in church,especially during thanksgiving at every mass though its usually a jazzed up version of christian songs anyway…
do u mean dance during the reception? i would probably talk with the officiant before hand.what is a reception(a joyful happy occassion) without music?
i hope you can find a place that lets you have the type of wedding day you want-goodluck !
Ditto what everyone else said about asking the church. Even if they don’t have a problem with it the very fact that you are asking the question leads me to believe that if you do have music and dancing, make sure it is appropriate for the environment or you may not be the only person uncomfortable with it. Stay classy, no inappropriate lyrics and bump and grind music. If it won’t make Grandma blush, it’s probably okay. Churches are a place of respect, but it is a joyful occasion - “Make a joyful noise unto the Lord!” No repression and Puritanism necessary.
Here’s my take on it: Some people feel that God would be offended by laughter, dancing, and music in ‘His house’. He created us to be joyful beings! Biblical people praised Him with dance all the time! God wants us to take joy and delight in this world that He’s created for us, especially at church! I would certainly agree with everyone else to keep it classy, but seriously, God wants us to be joyful and if music and dancing at the church is how you show it best, then that’s great!
i agree that you should ask the church what their policy on dancing is. my church is a traditional korean church and we’ve had dancing AND karaoke during weddings in our fellowship hall. i don’t think anyone found it offensive or inappropriate. it was part of celebrating the union of two people, so everyone had fun. if the church doesn’t allow dancing, you could always hold an after party at a separate location!
