Substitute for a first dance?

Maybe you could do the anniversary dance so it's not all eyes on you?

We did our first dance for about 1 minute and then I started to get beyond anxious with all eyes on us. We ended up having everyone else join us for the rest of the song and it worked out great.

I have seen it where the entire bridal party dances with the bride and groom. Then you can still have your first dance without being the only people out there.

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We aren't having a bridal party but thanks for the suggestion.

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Yeah, I'm just looking for some other alternative to do when we enter the reception area and are announced. I'm sure we'll dance later on with everyone, I just want a substitute so it doesn't look weird that we walk in and don't dance.

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That might be an option.

Could your parents join you for the first dance? There's be more people up there with you and less eyes

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They could, but I'm looking to do something other than a dance altogether.

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Oh got it! Well, what we actually planned to do was just do our entrance and then sit down, and then my mom was going to make a welcome toast followed by best man/MOH toasts. I actually thought that would've flowed really well. (What ended up happening for us was the guy who worked for our venue entirely screwed up and announced our first dance even though I kept telling him "no, it's not time for that yet" but whatever *eye roll*)

Oh Fiance and I plan on going right to toasts and dinner. We're not into dancing. So we figure if you start feeding people they'll forget.

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Oh my! I think I read about that in your BAM! I guess we could do that and have my dad welcome everyone and invite them to eat?

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Good point!

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Hahah, yeah, it was super annoying, but so it goes.

Yeah that was what our plan was! I think that would've worked great honestly lol, maybe you'll actually be able to do it!

We have the same situation. We aren't having a bridal party. We aren't even being announced when we walk in after pictures.

When we come into the reception I will get on the mic and thank everyone for coming then pass it off to my husband (eeeek!!! 🥰) to announce dinner.

We also aren't planning on toasts. In my mind it'll all be really simple and laid back, hopefully not awkward. We plan to play music from cocktail hour, through dinner. Then start playing more dancy stuff around and after the cake cutting. People will be free to dance when they want, we will just mingle.

I have an Adele song on our playlist that will come on at the end of the night if we decide to have a slow dance.

If anyone is giving a speech, you could just Segway right into that after getting introduced?

First dances are not at all necessary. It is only a romantic thing if you already love to dance together. Otherwise, dance only when everyone is, or not at all.

My FH and I are trying to avoid being the center of attention as much as possible (we told our officiant short, sweet, and too the point asap because we dont want to stand in front of everyone let alone half to speak) but we are doing the same as others have said, we are starting our first dance and then having the DJ invite people to join us so everyone's not just staring.

You could also include your parents so not all eyes are on you as well as maybe 45 seconds-1 minute into a song ask your guests to join you on the dance floor.

Were doing a first dance, but it is not as soon as they announce us. They will announce us everyone will clap cheer whatever and then we will all be seated to eat. After dinner is when we were going to do ours, but if you go right into your toast and keep your program moving you should be ok... I don't think it will look weird. A lot of ppl don't do the first dance as soon as they walk in. So feed the people, toast it up and then open the dance floor and make your way to greet and mingle... Good luck

I found a really cute idea! What about a "Story of Us" slide show? Not sure how feasible that is for your location... but it could be really sweet and fun.