In the very old days, when everyone knew how to waltz, the "first dance" was simply the moment when the bride and groom opened the evening's dancing by taking a turn around the floor together. After a few minutes, the groom's father cut in, leaving the groom to ask the bride's mother to dance. Then the happy couple danced with their own parents, and before you knew it, the dance floor was full. The music was played without lyrics, so the only question in choosing it was "does it have a good beat and can you dance to it?"

There's a lot to be said for reviving this particular tradition! However, until all of us can waltz and fox trot with confidence, couples will face the troubling question of what music to choose for the "significant" dances.

No matter how many times you've heard "Daddy's Little Girl" played at a wedding reception, it is not a mandatory part of the wedding festivities. You can have any song (or any instrumental music) that you like. It doesn't even have to have sentimental lyrics, as long as it also doesn't have lyrics that are woefully inappropriate for a wedding.