Next to a first look and the actual vows themselves, the first dance is one of the best parts of a couple’s wedding day. Things slow down, guests get quiet, and it can honestly feel like you’re the only two in the room – when you’re holding each other tight, taking breaks between kisses to look at your hands and sneak peeks of the new bands encircling those fingers, and looking straight into the eyes of your official ride or die. And though we can’t all be Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas, sharing our first dances in the foreground of a castle, basically, the experience can (and should) still feel super star-studded.

At Leonard’s Palazzo, we’ve seen some of the most epic first dances, all of them so different and unique, so we put together a few thoughts on how to make that dance floor 🔥. Quite literally, too, if you want fire effects/sparklers dazzling while you’re dancing, we can make it happen!

Before we discuss, though, just know that your first dance is all about you. No matter which song you choose, how well you move, and if/when the tears start streaming, this is a moment you’ll be dreaming about for decades. So, make it as memorable as possible!

Do some prep work.
Now, of course, we’ve just said that it doesn’t matter ‘how you move.’ That’s totally true, too, whether you’re a dancing queen or far from Bey when it comes to your dance floor sway, your first dance is for you – and no one should be judging your skills! But there’s certainly something to be said about a couple taking pre-wedding lessons, even if it’s just to ease their nerves about slow dancing surrounded by a crowd. Taking lessons is a great way to bond with each other before the big day, and while your guests certainly don’t expect crazy choreography, surprising them with a steamy salsa dance or something that looks like it was curated by Maksim Chmerkovskiy for the mirror ball trophy can have major audience appeal!

Work in some props.
We love a couple who comes for the wedding and lives for the fun, so props are so apropos in our book! And when we say props, we really mean anything that can amp up the visual aesthetics – from smoke machines to sparkler fountains. We’ve also seen couples show up with props or even rock a costume change that is especially meaningful for them as a team and/or as individuals. This couple hit the dance floor waving flags from where they were from. So much pride and pumped up energy! And if you ever thought that props were cheesy, take a sec to reconsider. We can guarantee that your guests will all appreciate how silly, free-spirited and festive your first dance is – don’t take yourselves too seriously, it’s a wedding reception, it’s meant to be fun and lively!

Proposition your guests to participate.
Again, we’re all for a couple doing their first dance on their own terms, so much so that they forget what’s going on around them and can just focus on each other – but for a couple who might be shy about sashaying with spectators, or who might just want company on the dance floor, it’s absolutely okay to usher in couples little by little until the whole room is up on their feet and feeling it. This even works for brides or grooms who want to surprise their new spouse with a full squad performance. On point outfits, next-level fancy footwork, it all works to create an especially 🔥🔥🔥 first dance. And when you have a band that’s all about letting loose and letting you bang the drums, it can only help to turn up the heat in the room!

Go big or go home, right?? Have any ideas about your first dance? We can help make it magical, just ask!