Dance Routines at Weddings? Nay.

Dance Routines at Weddings? Nay.

June 14th, 2011 @ 3:51 pm by Mrs. High Wire
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I found myself watching the famous JK Wedding Entrance video, which got me thinking about choreographed wedding routines.

Dance Routines at Weddings? Nay. : wedding dallas dance 072609 072609_

Image via The Awesomer / Video: JK Wedding Dance

If you’ve never seen it or want to take a trip down memory lane, it is definitely worth checking out.

If you cry at the end, don’t feel ashamed. I cry every time I watch it.

This video went viral a few years ago, and they wound up on all the morning talk shows and even had remakes of it done on on several TV shows.

Dance Routines at Weddings? Nay. : wedding dallas dance Article article

Image via Christian Science Monitor / Image credit: NBC

Image via TV Recappers Anonymous / Image credit: Fox

As a former dancer, I can definitely see the appeal. And as someone who watches that JK Wedding Dance video at least once every few months, you’d think I would be setting up rehearsals with my bridal party already and putting routines together.

However, I think there’s a bit of an awkwardness about it all that can get amplified if you aren’t a professional dancer/actor/singer. (Or even if you are. That Glee number wasn’t one of my favorites. At all.) And you definitely run into some problems if you’ve got members of the wedding party who don’t want to put on a performance in front of a bunch of people while wearing formal wear and high heels.

It can go wrong on so many different levels. Anyone else cringe with uncomfortable-ness while watching these kinds of things? Please say it isn’t just me. And don’t even get me started on all the Michael Jackson “Thriller” dancing attempts.

On the list of emotions we want our guests to feel on our wedding day, “super embarrassed and uncomfortable” is not anywhere near the top (or on the list at all, for that matter). If there were going to be any choreographed routines going on at our wedding, it would be done by professionals. And four years of high school dance team doesn’t count.

If you’ve got a pumped up wedding party that is dying to put a performance together, then that is great. But unless everyone is totally into it the whole thing kind of falls apart. It’s obvious which brides forced the idea and which ones didn’t.

How do you feel about choreographed dance routines at weddings?

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27 Responses to “Dance Routines at Weddings? Nay.”

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Member

vaness13181 (message) 687 posts, Busy bee

I say nay. I’m one of those who would feel completely uncomfortable dancing down the aisles or being introduced and forced to dance my way into the reception.

6/14/11 @ 3:55 pm (reply)

Member

Misslizzy (message) 282 posts, Helper bee

I agree with vaness13181.

I do however want to have a fun song as our recessional so everyone can freestyle dance out.

But nothing will be choreographed…

6/14/11 @ 4:00 pm (reply)

Member

TamJam (message) 208 posts, Helper bee

I love the idea but dont feel my wedding party would feel the same way, so I wont do that to them! lol. If it’s done right and everyone is having a blast, it’s awesome!

6/14/11 @ 4:02 pm (reply)

Member

KCheer (message) 370 posts, Helper bee

I with you on this one, High Wire! Maybe you can use your sweet dance skills for the first dance with Mr. HW?

P.S. - I wish me and hubby had the skills for an amazing quick step or swing dance to blow everyone away! (Can you tell that I wish I were a dancer?) Sorry, SYTYCD has me thinking in dance none stop…

6/14/11 @ 4:05 pm (reply)

Bee

Miss Seal (message) 1,179 posts, Bumble bee

Not for me…too afraid of that awkwardness you mentioned. However, I would be lying if I said I didn’t secretly fantasize about bustin’ out an awesome, perfectly choreographed dance! I think they’re really cool when they’re done right…but they’re just *so* hard to do right!

6/14/11 @ 4:05 pm (reply)

Member

chrispygal (message) 1,198 posts, Bumble bee

We did a choreographed dance at my friend’s reception 10 years ago - before it was en vogue. haha. We did it because she kept having all these bridesmaid meetings and there would be nothing for us to do. One of the girls was/is a professional dancer so she taught us the dance. It. was. awesome. We had fun doing it and the crowd loved it. Would we do it again? Probably not, but we are happy we did it that time.

6/14/11 @ 4:09 pm (reply)

Member

xtatic1 (message) 779 posts, Busy bee

I can see it more for being introduced at the reception than walking down the aisle. But as fun as it can be I think it only works if everyone is into it.

6/14/11 @ 4:13 pm (reply)

Member

Courtnee (message) 153 posts, Blushing bee

That dance was so awesome because it was unique. To do it now it would be over played. And you have to have the most outgoing wedding party ever!! At our wedding they each did a little something during the announcement part at the reception (a twirl, a butt bump, ect)

6/14/11 @ 4:14 pm (reply)

Bee

Miss Pony (message) 4,175 posts, Honey bee

It’s a nay for me too. It looks awesome when it is pulled off by professionals (or a highly prepared/practiced bridal party), but it would just make me feel awkward.
As a side note, I love The Office Wedding. I want to go home and watch it now.

6/14/11 @ 4:15 pm (reply)

10.

Guest

This one is my favorite…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KgZ4ZTTfKO8

6/14/11 @ 4:25 pm (reply)

11.

Member

lisamarieloves (message) 447 posts, Helper bee

I wouldn’t do it, but then again, neither would my fiance or any of our friends. But if you have dance-minded friends, why not? It is definately a fun thing to watch!

6/14/11 @ 4:31 pm (reply)

12.

Guest

cheesy potates

I love this post! FI and I were just talking about this–especially since the office is one of our favorite shows! I want us to come into the “Forever” song for the reception and let the bridal party sort of dance their way in….nothing very rehersed just fun!

6/14/11 @ 4:43 pm (reply)

13.

Member

LGenz (message) 3,804 posts, Honey bee

I’m a big nay buuuut my mom surprised us with a flash mob at our reception that turned out pretty awesome (and it got every single person on the dance floor).

6/14/11 @ 4:47 pm (reply)

14.

Member

mariewest (message) 272 posts, Helper bee

I loved the JK wedding entrance video because it was unique and very them (from what I can tell of their interviews). However, I don’t think it is for everyone. Don’t try to force something that isn’t natural to you and your wedding party. Don’t do it because it’s trendy. Do something that works for you! As much as I love theatrics, I’m too traditional to start dancing down the aisle.

6/14/11 @ 4:53 pm (reply)

15.

Bee

Miss Snow Cone (message) 1,026 posts, Bumble bee

I agree with Seal… they pack a lot of punch when executed well, but those good executions are few and far between! Pass!

6/14/11 @ 4:57 pm (reply)

16.

Member

mightywombat (message) 3,345 posts, Sugar bee

I’d never do it myself (and my FI would rather chew off his own arm than be forced to do something like that) but I LOVE that video. Haven’t watched it in ages, though, so I’m glad you posted it!!

6/14/11 @ 5:34 pm (reply)

17.

Member

mightywombat (message) 3,345 posts, Sugar bee

@Z: OMG I hadn’t seen that one. LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!

6/14/11 @ 5:40 pm (reply)

18.

Member

stephbonthego (message) 687 posts, Busy bee

Great post! I coached cheerleading for a long time so I have a good understanding of what goes into creating dance routines and accomplishing that “polished look” when they are performed. I have always felt that wedding choreographed routines are kitchy. And odd.

That being said, Mr. D and I have (I don’t EVEN know where this came from) decided to take some basic swing lessons (he’s never danced. never and this is his idea!), and will dance to choreography for the chorus only of an upbeat fun song. We’re keeping it simple in hopes that others may wanna join in. We have a fun group, so likely they will. This will not be for our first dance together, but later on…perhaps after a lil liquid courage, {toast} =)

6/14/11 @ 7:11 pm (reply)

19.

Member

tea (message) 7,295 posts, Bee Keeper

i’m a nay as well. i love watching really well put together ones but those are often so rare to see. my favorite so far has been the ceremony in vegas where the bride worked with the chippendales or something like that, and they had done a great entrance.

but i also think choreographed dances like this can sometimes put unnecessary pressure on people who feel like they NEED to entertain their guests at the wedding. just remember that you’re getting married, not putting on a broadway show. keep it loose and enjoy yourselves!

6/14/11 @ 7:48 pm (reply)

20.

Bee

Mrs. Tartlet (message) 3,207 posts, Sugar bee

I was a nay as well to the choreographed bridal party dance! However, during our recessional I was so, SO excited that I just started dancing and singing (lol). I still have no idea whether others followed suit.

6/14/11 @ 8:04 pm (reply)

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