🇮🇳 India
The sangeet is a night of music and dance by both families, and the baraat is led by a dhol drummer and dancing relatives. In Punjab, the bhangra and giddha are danced at weddings by men and women.
Sangeet, being writtenWedding music and the dance floor
Music and dancing run through weddings everywhere: the drummers at the head of the procession, the song of the women at the henna night, the first dance of the couple, the line dance of the guests.
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Music and dancing run through weddings everywhere: the drummers at the head of the procession, the song of the women at the henna night, the first dance of the couple, the line dance of the guests. A wedding band is often a family's biggest hire, and the dance floor is where generations meet. The details range from the Greek circle dance to the Indian bhangra, from the Polish polonaise to the first dance in a hotel ballroom.
Why dance
Dance is the way a community joins in. Linking arms or holding handkerchiefs makes a chain around the couple, and the old and young dance side by side. Many wedding dances have a meaning: the Greek kalamatianos and the Armenian kochari show unity, the Jewish hora lifts the couple on chairs, and the Polish polonaise opens the ball with a walk for all. Some dances are for women alone, as in the henna night, and some are for men, as in the Georgian and Caucasian warrior dances.
Instruments and songs
Drums and pipes lead the procession in South Asia, the dhol and shehnai in particular. Brass bands play in the Balkans, accordion and violin in Eastern Europe, mariachi in Mexico, the oud and tabla in the Arab world, kora and drums in West Africa and the gamelan in Java. Songs include blessing songs, teasing songs for the in-laws and farewell songs for the bride, who is leaving her home. The bride's friends sing ones that make everyone cry, and the best man's song might do the same.
The first dance and the last
The first dance as a married couple, usually a slow song chosen by the pair, is now a feature of many weddings in the West and beyond. In some customs the couple dance with parents next, then the whole party joins in. The money dance, in which guests pin cash to the bride's dress or pay to dance with her, is found in the Philippines, Poland, the American Midwest and many places in between. The last song of the night often marks the departure of the couple.
How it is changing
Professional choreographers prepare entrances and routines, DJs replace live bands in many places, and viral videos spread dance trends. At the same time many families insist on the old dance and live drummers, which are valued as part of the heritage. Quiet or dry weddings keep to singing, drumming and clapping. Respect for local rules, such as separate dancing or no music, is a part of hosting.
Wedding music and the dance floor around the world
🇵🇰 Pakistan
The dholki is a night of singing and drumming with women of the family, held for several evenings before the wedding. Wedding songs, such as the folk songs for the bride's farewell, are sung with a hand drum.
Dholki, being written🇮🇩 Indonesia
In Javanese weddings the gamelan orchestra plays and the couple may be accompanied by classical dancers. Other regions have their own, such as the Minang dances and the Batak gondang.
Gamelan, being written🇹🇭 Thailand
A Thai wedding procession, the khan maak, includes the groom's party dancing and drumming through the street to the bride's house, where gates are held by friends of the bride. A band or a traditional music group plays.
Culture of Thailand, being written🇨🇳 China
Lion dances and firecrackers bless many weddings in southern China and in Chinese communities abroad, and the suona horn and drums lead processions in northern villages. Modern ceremonies add a stage and music.
Suona, being written🇬🇪 Georgia
The Georgian wedding includes polyphonic singing, such as the Mravalzhamier, a song of long life, and men dance the Khorumi and Kartuli. The tamada leads the music with toasts.
Read: KartuliTraditions to start with
HoraThe circle dance of Jewish and Balkan weddings.
DabkeThe Levantine line dance.KalamatianosThe Greek circle dance.
KochariThe Armenian line dance.
BhangraThe Punjabi folk dance.
PolonaiseThe Polish ceremonial dance.Also part of it, and being written: Sangeet (The Indian night of music before the wedding.), First dance (The couple's first dance.).
Questions people ask
What is the first dance?
The first dance as a married couple, a custom of Western weddings that has spread worldwide. The couple choose the song.
Are men and women ever separate at wedding dances?
In some communities yes, as a matter of faith or custom, and in others the dances are mixed. Guests can ask the hosts.
What is the money dance?
Guests pin or throw money at the dancing couple. It is a way of helping the couple and is practised in several countries.
Do I need to know the steps?
Not usually. Dancers at wedding circles and lines will teach newcomers, and joining in is a form of respect.
About this page
Written by the EveryShaadi desk with AI assistance. Customs differ from place to place and family to family. If this is your tradition and we have it wrong, tell us.
Wedding music and the dance floor on EveryShaadi
The traditions written up so far, best known first.
RegionSouth AsiaSoutheast AsiaEast AsiaCentral Asia and the CaucasusMiddle EastNorth AfricaSub-Saharan AfricaEuropeNorth AmericaLatin America and the CaribbeanOceania
🇨🇭 Switzerland and 5 moreChicken DanceDer Ententanz
A novelty polka song and accompanying hand movements performed at weddings and festivals.Performance · Reception, dance and gifts
🇭🇺 Hungary and 5 moreCsárdás
A Hungarian folk dance that begins slowly and ends with a fast spin.Performance · Reception, dance and gifts
🇵🇸 Ramallah, Palestine and 4 moreDabkeدبكة
A Levantine line dance performed at weddings to celebrate union and community.Performance · Reception, dance and gifts
🇲🇱 MaliWeddings in Mali
Multi-day Malian wedding traditions blending Islamic rites, civil law, and local customs with bazin attire.Rite · Engagement and betrothal
🇪🇬 Egypt and 5 moreMizmarمزمار (mizmār)
A loud double reed instrument played at weddings and festivals across Egypt and the Levant.Performance · Procession and arrival
🇦🇴 Luanda, Angola and 4 moreKizomba
A slow, sensual partner dance from Angola that turns wedding parties into intimate social gatherings.Performance · The wedding feast
🇬🇷 GreeceTsamikoΤσάμικος
A traditional Greek folk dance performed at weddings and festivals, known for its slow tempo and acrobatic leaps.Performance · The wedding feast
🇪🇸 Seville, SpainSevillanas
A traditional Andalusian folk dance performed by couples at weddings and local festivals in Spain.Performance · Reception, dance and gifts
🇮🇳 Chandigarh, IndiaBhangra
A vigorous Punjabi folk dance performed to the beat of a dhol drum during harvest celebrations.Performance · Reception, dance and gifts
🇨🇺 Havana, Cuba and 5 moreConga line
A long processing line dance that links dancers in single file to a rhythmic drum beat.Performance · Reception, dance and gifts
🇬🇷 Greece and 1 moreKalamatianosΚαλαματιανός
A popular Greek folk dance performed in a chain at weddings and social gatheringsPerformance · Reception, dance and gifts
🇪🇹 EthiopiaEskistaእስክስታ
The shoulder dance of the Amhara people that brings joy to Ethiopian weddingsPerformance · Reception, dance and gifts
🇸🇦 Saudi ArabiaArdahالعرضة
The men's group dance with swords and drums that marks weddings in the Arabian PeninsulaPerformance · Reception, dance and gifts
🇲🇰 Galičnik, North MacedoniaGaličnik Wedding FestivalГаличка свадба (Galička svadba)
A recreated traditional wedding in a North Macedonian village that turns a local rite into an annual festival.Feast custom · The ceremony
🇲🇦 MoroccoAhidusⴰⵃⵉⴷⵓⵙ (aḥidous)
A collective Berber dance from Morocco performed in circles or lines to celebrate unity and victory.Performance · Reception, dance and gifts
🇮🇷 Shiraz, Iran and 5 moreUlulation
A high-pitched trilling sound made by women to celebrate weddings and share good news across many cultures.Performance · Procession and arrival
🇬🇪 Tbilisi, GeorgiaKartuliქართული ცეკვა
A romantic Georgian wedding dance where the couple dances apart without touching.Performance · Reception, dance and gifts
🇨🇱 Santiago, Chile and 3 moreCueca
A courtship dance from Chile and the Andes where couples trace circles with handkerchiefs to reenact a rooster and hen.Performance · The eve
🇰🇭 Cambodia and 4 moreRomvongរាំវង់ (Khmer)
A circular folk dance across Southeast Asia where couples hold hands and step in time with drums.Performance · Reception, dance and gifts
🇹🇷 TurkeyHoronχορόν (Pontic Greek)
The fast shoulder-shimmying line dance of the Eastern Black Sea Region performed at weddings and festivalsPerformance · The wedding feast
🇬🇷 Crete, GreecePentozaliΠεντοζάλης
The vigorous Cretan war dance of high jumps and improvisation that marks the wedding procession.Performance · Procession and arrival
🇵🇱 Poland and 1 morePolonaisePolonez
A stately Polish partner dance in triple metre that opens weddings and formal celebrations.Performance · Procession and arrival
🇹🇷 Kayseri, Turkey and 4 moreHalay
A traditional line and circle dance performed across Turkey and surrounding regions at weddings.Performance · The ceremony
🇳🇬 Lagos, Nigeria and 2 moreOwanbeÓwàńbẹ̀
The extravagant Yoruba celebration where music, fashion, and money spraying mark life's milestones.Feast custom · Reception, dance and gifts
🇵🇦 PanamaTamborito
A Panamanian courtship dance performed in a circle with drums and female chorusPerformance · The wedding feast
🇲🇽 Mexico and 1 moreLa víbora de la mar
A wedding game where the couple stands on chairs while guests form a snake to test their unity.Play · Reception, dance and gifts
🇮🇳 India and 2 moreMandapaमण्डप (maṇḍapa)
The pillared pavilion that serves as the stage for Hindu wedding rituals and temple gatherings.Setting · The ceremony
🇦🇹 Vienna, Austria and 2 moreViennese waltzWiener Walzer
The fast rotary ballroom dance that originated in Austria and defines the traditional waltz.Performance · Reception, dance and gifts
🇸🇳 Senegal and 2 moreSabar
The Senegalese drum that drives the music and dance at Wolof weddingsPerformance · Reception, dance and gifts
🇵🇱 Poland and 5 moreMoney dance
A reception ritual where guests give cash to the couple while dancing or showering them with notes.Feast custom · Reception, dance and gifts
🇬🇷 GreeceLipothymiarikosΛιποθυμιάρικος (Horos tis Nifis)
A Greek wedding dance where men mimic a fainting bride in the early morning hours.Performance · Reception, dance and gifts
🇧🇬 Bulgaria and 5 moreBulgarian wedding musicсватбарска музика
Fast-paced instrumental music played at Bulgarian weddings that blends folk, Romani, and Turkish styles.Performance · The ceremony
🇵🇱 Poland and 1 moreBadchenבּדחן (badkhn)
The Ashkenazi Jewish wedding entertainer and master of ceremonies who guides the couple through ritual stages with song Performance · Engagement and betrothal
🇸🇾 Syria and 3 moreAssyrian wedding
Marriage ceremonies blending ancient Assyrian rites with modern cultural practices among the Assyrian people.Rite · Finding a match
🇦🇿 AzerbaijanAzerbaijani wedding traditionsAzərbaycanın toy adətləri
The multi-step family rituals of Azerbaijani weddings, from matchmaking to the henna night.Rite · Finding a match
🇮🇳 IndiaHindi wedding songs
Film and folk music that accompanies the stages of a North Indian Hindu wedding.Performance · Engagement and betrothal
🇪🇬 Egypt and 1 moreWedding music
The songs and instruments that mark the arrival of the couple and set the mood for the celebration.Performance · The weeks before
🇦🇲 Armenia and 1 moreKochariՔոչարի
A circle dance from the Armenian Highlands that marks weddings and community gatherings.Performance · Reception, dance and gifts
🇷🇸 Serbia and 2 moreKoloКоло
A South Slavic circle dance performed at weddings and social gatherings across the Balkans.Performance · Reception, dance and gifts
🇬🇧 United Kingdom and 4 moreCountry dance
A social partner dance from England where couples follow a caller through repeated figures in long lines or squares.Performance · Reception, dance and gifts
🇹🇴 TongaLakalaka
A formal Tongan group dance where performers stand in rows and move their arms to express respect.Performance · The ceremony
🇩🇪 GermanyGroßvatertanz
A traditional Saxon dance played at the end of wedding celebrations to mark the finale.Performance · Reception, dance and gifts
🇷🇴 Romania and 7 moreHorahora (Romanian), horo (Bulgarian), oro (Macedonian), horah (Hebrew)
A circle dance held at weddings across Southeast Europe and among Jewish communities worldwide.Performance · Reception, dance and gifts
🇲🇽 Oaxaca, MexicoOaxacan wedding
A multi-day Catholic celebration in Oaxaca featuring mole, mezcal, and communal dancing.Feast custom · Engagement and betrothal
🇺🇦 Kolomyia, Ukraine and 2 moreKolomyikaколомийка
A fast Ukrainian folk dance with rhymed verses, celebrated at weddings in western Ukraine and Canada.Performance · Reception, dance and gifts
🇷🇴 Romania and 4 moreCălușariCălușarii
A traditional Romanian spring dance and male society known for acrobatic leaps and ritual healing.Performance · The weeks before
🇩🇪 GermanyLandshut WeddingLandshuter Hochzeit
A four-year historical pageant in Bavaria re-enacting the 1475 royal marriage of George and Hedwig.Setting · Engagement and betrothal
🇮🇱 Israel and 1 moreHava Nagilaהָבָה נָגִילָה
A Jewish folk song sung and danced at weddings and celebrations to mark joyous occasionsPerformance · Reception, dance and gifts
Photo credits on this page
The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.
- Csárdás: Unknown author, Public domain, source
- Dabke: Sarah Canbel, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Weddings in Mali: HawaG, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Mizmar: dalbera, CC BY 2.0, source
- Landshut Wedding: Oktobersonne, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Kizomba: Obe Images, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Sevillanas: Anual, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Bhangra: Jimmysekhon25, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Conga line: U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Derek J. Hu, Public domain, source
- Eskista: https://commons.m.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Hanay, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Ardah: Abodi009, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Galičnik Wedding Festival: IvanaKrstik, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Ahidus: Fotograaf / photographer: Drs. F.M. (Frits) Cowan (1931 - 2010), CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Kolo: Sasa.mazinjanin, Public domain, source
- Country dance: Engraving by William Hogarth, CC BY 4.0, source
- Großvatertanz: traditional, Public domain, source
- Hora: Chajeshukarie ( talk ), Public domain, source
- Oaxacan wedding: Adam Jones, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Kolomyika: Teodor Axentowicz, Public domain, source
- Călușari: El bes, CC BY 3.0, source
- Bulgarian wedding music: Allen Ruttenberg, CC BY 2.0, source
- Badchen: Unknown author, Public domain, source
- Kartuli: Mostafameraji, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Azerbaijani wedding traditions: Azim Azimzadeh, Public domain, source
- Cueca: Manuel Antonio Caro, Public domain, source
- Romvong: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Public domain, source
- Horon: Macukali, Public domain, source
- Chicken Dance: Joe Mabel, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Polonaise: Korneli Szlegel, Public domain, source
- Halay: Post of Moldova, Public domain, source
- Kochari: Hayordi, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Assyrian wedding: Yucalyptus, CC0, source
- Sabar: AbaDiop, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Viennese waltz: Sigismund von Dobschütz, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Mandapa: Rajendran Ganesan, CC BY 2.0, source