Wedding dances have always been around. But good ones? Well, those are a hot commodity these days. Why?

The brides and grooms of today want to top the weddings of yesterday by adding more and more personal touches and unexpected moments. Brides and grooms are finally grabbing hold of the concept of “this is our day”, and a great wedding dance is the exclamation point.

So if we are “all-in” on a killer wedding dance, then let’s cover some of the wedding dance trends to be aware of.

Wedding Dance Trend #1: A Freestyle performance

No you will not be rapping. A freestyle is, essentially, good dancing without the need for choreography.

Think of it like: A great conversation, instead of a rehearsed pickup line.

Here’s why it works:

Trending alert: you can learn to dance, not just a dance. This takes more time, but it can easily be accomplished. The benefit here is:

• Nothing to memorize for your first dance. You are a dancer now and can think on the fly.
• You won’t have to sit out your reception.
• You will have a hobby together leading up to, and after your wedding day
• Teach your parents or wedding party a few moves
• You look more confident and polished

Downward Trend: Freestyle dancing without lessons

Skipping out on lessons and “winging it” may have worked in the days before videographers and social media, but not anymore. Here’s an idea, skip the videographer, have your buddy make a video from his tablet, and use the money for dance lessons. Problem solved/Disaster averted.

Wedding Dance Trend #2: Mashup Routines

Sometimes referred to as “surprise routines”, these performances usually start with a gag-routine, and then switch to “the real routine” – and they are more popular than ever.

Think of it like: The dance version of a “bait & switch”

Here’s why it works:

By playing into the stereotype, and then pulling the rug out from under the audience, it will create plenty of buzz about your performance for years to come. If you commit enough time to the project, you will, without a doubt, get a great reaction from the crowd. Which is exactly the opposite kind of reaction you’d get if you just swayed side to side for 9 minutes.

Downward Trend: Long performances

Yes, even with a mashup routine with epic choreography and legendary dance training (by Arthur Murray), you need to avoid the dance version of a 3 hour movie. Just use this ratio:
1 minute of dancing = 1 hour of a movie
The preferred length for a routine at all official Arthur Murray events is 90 seconds. Use the dance/movie comparison and that’s a pretty typical movie length. If you’re having trouble keeping it under two minutes, for any reason, then hire a DJ to splice your music to include all the important stuff.

Wedding Dance Trend #3: The Dance Dress

If you’re going to live by the wedding/life motto of, “we’re doing it the right way, the first time”, then this trend is up your alley. Your dress needs to move as well as your body is moving.

• Your wedding dress is custom fit to walk down the aisle… in a church-like setting
• Your dance-dress is custom fit so you can move, shake, shimmy, and dip in a party-like setting.

The verdict: Go custom if you can! Put your wedding gown in the vault and party down in your dance dress.

Downward Trend: Excessive Bundling

You could have the Princess Diana train on your dress, provided that there is some way of detaching it. If you’re trying to bundle more than a yard of fabric, and you’re planning on using it for something other than a royal seat cushion, your best bet is to make a quick outfit change.

Wedding Dance Trend #4: Acoustic Reinterpretations

This is rising just as fast as songs like “At Last” are falling. Reason being, today’s bride and groom don’t want to use the same songs that their friends, aunts, uncles, or parents used. Or, at least, not the same versions.

The growing trend these days is using a song that is not the same-old, same-old version that everyone has heard on the radio. (Sort of like when someone on American Idol makes a song “their own”). To help you on your way, try exploring some of the acoustic reinterpretations by:

• Tyler Ward – the guy sings from his heart and has a great range of hits. The originals are super popular, but his versions will have your guests using their Soundhound or Shazzam apps to get the song themselves.
• Eva Cassidy – the incredibly unheralded, unbelievably gifted Cassidy passed away far too early. Every soulful cover she recorded will move your guests to tears.

Downward Trend: Songs that should be retired

You wouldn’t want every bride to have an identical wedding ring, setting and all, as you. So why pick the same wedding song? As stated earlier, try to find some alternate versions of these songs and you may have a real gem on your hands:

• “At Last” – Etta James
• “Truly, Madly, Deeply” – Savage Garden

No matter what options you choose to customize your wedding dance, the fact is: you’re dancing. The more time you spend sharing your vision with your Arthur Murray wedding professional, the closer they can guide you to the wedding dance bullseye. Who knows, learning how to dance may lead to a wedding gift that lasts longer than anything on your registry: a dance partner.

Happy Dancing!