The first dance is the newlyweds' first dance, the one that kicks off the evening. It lasts for the duration of a song, often repeated for weeks, and is danced in front of all the guests, sometimes with turns, pivots, or a lift. The shoe matters as much as the choreography: if it slips too much, catches, or hurts, it shows. Here are the five points to check to choose it properly.
1. A moderate heel, between 3 and 6.5 cm
A heel of about 5 cm is a good compromise between style and stability. A 7 cm heel elongates the leg more, but it requires being comfortable with turns, especially with the emotion of the big day. If you rarely wear heels, a small heel of 3 to 4.5 cm remains elegant under a long dress.
A flared or square heel is more stable than a thin heel. You can also wear higher shoes for the ceremony, then change for the first dance: it's common, and that's the idea of our first dance selection, where each model exists with a heel of 3 to 6.5 cm.
2. A sole suited to the floor of the venue
Ask the reception venue what kind of floor you will dance on: parquet, portable dance floor, tile, or stone. On parquet or a dance floor, a suede sole slips just enough to pivot without catching. It should not be worn outside: asphalt or gravel will damage it very quickly. If the ceremony or the cocktail reception takes place outside, keep another pair for those moments.
A rubber sole grips more: safer on a slippery floor, less suited for pivots. Our article on the suede sole explains these differences in detail.
3. Support that holds during turns
An ankle strap, crossed straps, or laces keep the shoe on your foot during turns and weight changes. An open pump without a strap can slip off at the first pivot. If your choreography includes a lift or a dip, opt for a strap closed with a buckle.
4. A color that complements the dress
White, nude, beige, champagne, silver, or gold: choose a shade close to the dress or the jewelry. Under a long dress, the shoe is seen mainly during the dance, when the dress moves. Nude colors blend with the leg; silver and gold catch the light of the dance floor.
5. The right size
A dance shoe should be worn fitted: the toe touches the tip, the heel does not move. Measure your foot in centimeters, preferably in the evening, and compare it with our size converter. Between two sizes, write us your measurement at contact@dansezo.fr before ordering.
Our recommended models for the first dance
- Frappé (€29.99): satin, suede sole, buckle ankle strap, thin 5 or 7 cm heel. In silver, beige, or gold for a wedding. Our best-selling model.
- Monica (€39.99): satin sandal with crossed straps, buckle adorned with rhinestones, flared heel of 5.5 or 7.5 cm. In white or beige.
- Jasmin (€39.99): glittery upper, closed toe, flared heel of 3.5 or 5.5 cm, more stable than a thin heel. In silver or gold.
- Svetlana (€49.99): satin, buckle strap, 6.5 cm heel. In white or nude.
- Merengue (€69.99): square heel of 5 or 7 cm, more stable than a thin heel. In white, silver, or champagne.
- Serena (€219.99): satin upper and lining, thin heel of 5.5, 6.5, or 7.5 cm. In white or light nude.
The entire selection is on our wedding first dance shoes page. For guests and higher heels, also see our top 10 shoes to dance at your wedding.
Read next
- Dancing at your wedding without foot pain
- Trying on and breaking in your wedding shoes before the big day
See the models: Wedding Shoes