First Dance Fails (and Why They're Actually the Best Moments)

Let’s be real: the first dance can feel like a high-pressure moment. You're in the spotlight, you’ve practiced (or maybe not), and suddenly every eye in the room is glued to you. Cue sweaty palms, nervous giggles, and… oh no, did someone just miss the turn?

Yep. Welcome to the world of first dance fails — where missteps are magic, and the bloopers might just become your favourite part of the day.

Wait, Is That a Twirl or a Trip?

I once worked with a couple — let’s call them Emma and Alex — who were very proud of their planned dip at the end of their first dance. We practiced it lovingly for weeks. On the day? The dip happened… and so did the unexpected nose boop.

He went down. She leaned in. Bonk.Not dramatic, not painful. Just a good ol’ forehead-to-nose collision.

And what did the crowd do?

They roared.

It was real, it was funny, and it was SO them. The photo of that moment ended up framed in their living room, mid-giggle, mid-dip, noses still touching.

The Power of the "Oops" Moment

Here’s what most people don’t realise: your guests aren’t expecting a polished performance. They’re not judging your technique. They’re watching two people who love each other do something sweet, and brave, and a little bit silly.

When something goes “wrong” — a trip, a spin that turns into a shuffle, a mistimed twirl — it doesn’t ruin the moment.

It makes the moment.

It shows you're human. You're in it together. You're laughing instead of stressing. That’s the kind of love people come to celebrate.

Mistakes Are Memorable (In a Good Way)

I’ve had couples:

• Start their dance on the wrong beat and laugh their way back into sync

• Accidentally moonwalk because their shoes were too slippery

• Completely forget the steps and just bust out their go-to moves from uni (yes, including the worm)

Every single time, those mishaps brought a big exhale to the room. A little comic relief. And a realness that polished routines sometimes miss.

As the brilliant Brené Brown says, “Imperfections are not inadequacies; they are reminders that we’re all in this together.”

It's Not a Performance. It's a Moment.

Somewhere along the wedding planning journey, we forget that the first dance isn't a show. It’s a shared moment — a few beautiful, blurry minutes in the middle of a whirlwind day where you just get to be with your person.

If it’s perfect? Great.If it’s not? Even better.

Because love is messy. Life is messy. And the best stories usually start with, “You’ll never believe what happened…”

Final Word: Laugh Now, Remember Forever

Here’s the truth: nobody looks back on their wedding and says, “I wish we danced better.” But they do say:

“Remember when you tripped on my dress and we just started doing the running man?”“Remember how we both forgot the steps and just made it up?”“Remember how hard we laughed?”

Those are the moments that live on.

So embrace the fail. Celebrate the fumble. And know that when you step onto the dance floor, you’re already doing it right — even if you’re two beats behind.

Planning your wedding in New Zealand?

If you're getting married in Tauranga, Rotorua, Mount Maunganui, Papamoa, or anywhere in the Bay of Plenty — I’d love to help you prepare for your first dance and all the unexpected little moments that come with it.

Whether you want a smooth routine or just the confidence to roll with whatever happens, I’ve got you.

Book a free discovery session with me at SWAY — and let’s turn your ‘oops’ into ‘OMG we loved that’!