The first dance is the one moment at the reception when every guest is watching only the two of you. It lasts three minutes, and in photographs it can look magical or awkward depending on a few small decisions. The good news: those decisions are easy once you know them. Here is how to make your first dance photography beautiful.

Choose a song you can actually dance to

Pick a song with a steady, comfortable beat rather than the most romantic song you know. If it is long, ask the DJ to fade it at two to three minutes. Practice at home in your living room, even twice, so the song feels familiar on the day.

You do not need choreography

A simple slow sway with one or two twirls photographs better than a nervous rehearsed routine.
If you want a lift or dip, practice it in the actual outfits or similar weight of clothing.
Decide the ending pose in advance, because the last frame is the one everyone remembers.

Mind the floor and the light

Ask the decorator to keep the dance floor clear of wires and the light soft and warm, not flashing. Moving coloured lights leave strange patches on faces in photographs. A single steady spot or warm fairy-light backdrop is all a photographer needs.

Tell the photographer your plan

Share the song length, the twirls, the dip and the ending pose with your photographer before the reception. If family will join midway, decide that too, because those joining frames need a wider angle and a heads-up.

Stay in the moment

Whisper, laugh, sing the lyrics to each other. Couples who forget the audience get the most natural frames. If a step goes wrong, smile through it; the recovery often becomes the favourite photograph.

Plan it with us

If you want your first dance covered by a wedding photographer in Indore who plans the light and angles with you, tell us about your reception early. You can read about us, check the FAQs or contact us.