Not everyone is a talented social dancer. By the age of twelve I had done extensive amounts of ballet, tap and jazz dancing, but I still don’t consider myself an excellent social dancer. Thankfully, people are pretty forgiving of those of us who don’t perform an elaborate dance number on our wedding day. My husband and I simply swayed to “The Way You Look Tonight” by Joey McIntyre as our opening dance, and our friends cheered us on.
But what is it about dancing– that it is a part of nearly every cultural celebration? We dance at the holidays. We dance for victory. We dance as we transition into new seasons. Every culture dances; sometimes dance is the most raw expression of a cultural tradition.
We dance to praise and worship. “Let them praise His name with dancing, making melody to him with tambourine and lyre! For the Lord takes pleasure in his people; he adorns the humble with salvation,” the Psalmist writes (Ps 149:3-4). We dance for things in the moment and for things that last forever.
And weddings are no exception. Second to the act of feasting together, many wedding traditions also have a moment where the guests dance together to celebrate the bride and groom. Shortly after my husband and I debuted on special moment, it took little time for everyone to jump on the dance floor.
There’s something beautiful about celebrating in a manner without words or inhibitions. And while for some of us it takes more than a little alcohol to get to that point, there’s something so special and celebratory that only dancing can bring about.
Do you dance at weddings and celebrations? What does it mean to you? I’d love to know!
{Read last week’s Wedding Snapshots: Act Naturally.}
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I’m not typically a social dancer, however I have enjoyed learning a new dance with a group of friends in the cool air to celebrate the autumn. My sister has been able to coax me out of my chair to try to let loose and dance with her at a friend’s wedding. Those times I greatly enjoyed myself, but first I have to get over trying to be more reserved.
Yes, songs that tell you what to do are awesome! 🙂
Aw thanks girl! And yes… I’m very awkward myself!
Thank you so much Morgan!! It was so much fun 🙂
Social dancing is so awkward. I’m sort of dreading my best friends reception when it comes to the dancing part. Thank goodness for those dance a long songs like the electric slide, etc. (;
http://www.accordingtokiki123.blogspot.com
I’m a terrible social dancer. Absolutely horrendous… but I do it anyway. 😉
You look gorgeous girl!
What a fun post, all of your guests looked like they were having a blast!
Morgan
http://www.eenymeenyminymorgan.blogspot.com
Hahah dancing can be such a great release (I kind of wish I used it as a therapeutic activity more often in college, hah!) and is so much fun. That’s amazing that you did ballet for so long; I wish I stuck with it through high school. And thank you so much Deniz!!
Aw thank you Carli! And so glad you can relate– I remember thinking I could do dance routines but couldn’t quite get myself to just “jive” to the beat. I’m working on it 😉
Thanks so much, friend!! 🙂
Thank you so much Denise!! Dancing at weddings is the best kind of social dancing I think. Everyone is just so happy and the music is usually awesome!
I loved dance classes when I was younger– I only wish I kept at it for longer. Maybe that way I’d be (even) more confident on the dance floor 😉
I love dancing – at celebrations, at weddings, at home (around 2 AM when I’m so tired of studying)! I did ballet for 10+ years, so dancing has always been a huge part of my life! Your wedding pictures are, as always, beautiful! I especially love the first one.
– Deniz
http://www.dressedupdeniz.com
I love how you viewed dancing in this blog post. That is such a great way to look at it. I have danced since I was little, but am not the best social dancer either! Your wedding photos are beautiful!
xo, carli
http://www.puppiesandpolkadots.com
I adore seeing all your wedding pictures, so beautiful! xx
Such awesome pictures! I love seeing all of these from your wedding. They are always so fun and fantastic! I always dance at weddings. I think it is so fun and makes you just a bit more involved without even trying to be. Plus it allows you to mingle and just enjoy yourself.
Denise
http://www.fashionloveletters.com
I’m definitely not a dancer now but I did take dance classes for years when I was younger and I remember how wonderful it felt to express a song without words and it was amazing!
Aw thank you Ash!! I have done the award in the past and probably can’t do it again, but I’ll definitely stop by and see what your answers were. Thanks for the nomination– that means a ton to me!
Oh I always wanted to do ballroom and swing in college but didn’t get around to it! I’ll have to hope and pray that my husband will be willing to dance again– he pretty much said that our wedding was the only event where I’d see him dance! Haha
Thanks girl! It’s so much fun!
Thank you so much! I think that taking dance lessons is such a good idea, we never got around to it before the wedding. And I have to confess to spending tons of money on shoes that felt fantastic. It was worthwhile– I can’t stand for very long in uncomfortable heels either!
Thank you so much Aleksandra!! 🙂
Aw thank you friend!! And yes, I love that dancing doesn’t require talent for it to be enjoyable and expressive!! 🙂
Thank you so much Shireen!! we loved our photographers, they were amazing. These photos definitely make you feel invited in! 🙂
Thank you so much Joanna! I personally think that dancing at weddings is the best kind 🙂
Thank you so much Jane!!
Haha dancing is so much fun! And yes, our guests definitely did not seem to care what people thought of them, they really enjoyed themselves 🙂
Thank you so much Charlotte! You are so kind! x
Aw thank you so much Miriam!! It was a really special day 🙂 And I’m glad I can continue posting these photos– hah! We have so many. Hope you’re having a lovely weekend Miriam!
Thanks girl! x
Thank so much Rachel!! And yes, you are so right– it transcends boundaries.
I wanted to stop by and let you know that I enjoy reading your blog and have nominated you for a One Lovely Blog Award. Not sure if you’ve received another nomination, but participation is voluntary. I’ve posted the rules on my blog if you want to participate. 🙂
We didn’t have dancing at our wedding–but I absolutely love to dance! I used to do a lot of ballroom social dancing in college and then in the town where we lived for 3 years they had weekly swing dances so we’d go when we could. You’re right, it’s an experience of joy and celebration!
These dancing photos are stunning! I love to dance at weddings!
Beautiful photos. My boyfriend and I are thinking of taking dance lessons for fun sometime! I tend to hate dancing at weddings because of the lack of comfy shoes 🙂
Looks awesome. I always admire people who can dance
have a nice day!
Aleksandra
http://lovestreetfashion.pl
Beautiful photos – and a beautiful post! Such a great sentiment. Dancing truly does encompass so many different feelings. You can dance through many, many emotions – and each time it would look different. I love to dance. I have a hard time keeping still if there’s any music on whatsoever. I’m not talented at it but I will always dance!! 🙂
Whoever the photographer was, he/she did an AMAZING job at capturing the moments. These pictures are absolutely stunning, Daisy. I almost feel like I was there, part of the crowd. What a gorgeous celebration.
Reflection of Sanity
So much love and joy in these pictures. Thank you for sharing, Daisy. I love to dance at weddings, and I always love to watch a married couple’s first dance. Such a sweet moment! xx
lovejoanna.com
Beautiful pictures! Congrats guys!
http://thebagmaniac.blogspot.com
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I love dancing and I dance till my feet hurt! I think above all dance is a fun way to express yourself without judgement. I love that everyone on a dance floor is too busy enjoying themselves without worry what they or anyone else looks like!
thesundaywardrobe.blogspot.com
What stunning pictures, I bet you’re so happy right now! x
Beauty
Soup || UK Beauty Blog
Daisy I am so happy for you, these photographs are absolutely heart warming. Too me you had a fairytale wedding. It’s such a beautiful thing. Looks like it was not only the best day for you and your husband, but also the guests! I will never get sick of these posts! 🙂
DiscoverMe
Beautiful Daisy! x
Beautiful photos and post Daisy 🙂 I think dance is important because it transcends the boundaries of language and cultural differences and is a form of expression and pure joy. I am always on the dance floor at occasions, what better way to celebrate? 🙂
Rachel xx
http://www.thedailyluxe.net