Dance Lessons
Congratulations! The wedding ceremony is over, and it is time for the celebration to begin! The wedding reception is usually not a time for high anxiety, but for some couples, the “first dance” is a notable exception. It is little wonder that so many couples consult a professional dance instructor to prepare them for their solo moment on the dance floor.
Dance instruction for wedding couples usually takes place in private lessons, although at Terry Dean’s Ballroom Dance Studio we also encourage our couples to participate in group classes. We consider these group classes to be so beneficial that we include them in our wedding package. In private instruction, your teacher will focus on the two of you, assist each of you as needed, and choreograph your special song. Group classes provide an opportunity to practice your newly acquired skills. This practice makes your dancing look and feel much more natural.
Choosing the Music and the Dance Many couples ask for suggestions for their wedding dance music. If you haven’t selected a special song, your instructor can help you select one that makes the most of your best dance style and your musical preferences. If you have chosen a song, your instructor will recommend the appropriate dance style for that piece of music.
Several dance styles are frequently used for a first dance. Foxtrot can be fun and flirty while the waltz is graceful and traditional. Rumba or swing patterns can be done in a smaller space and may be good options if your dance floor is relatively small. Whether you work with your instructor to
TheWeddingPlannerMag.com
By Terry Dean and Cindy Reynolds of Terry Dean’s Ballroom Dance Studio
www.TerryDeansDanceStudio.com
determine which style comes most naturally to you and then choose a song, or do it the other way around, your instructor will help you present a great first impression as a newly married duo.
It is important to consider that, if you have a live band, you will need to discuss the tempo of the song with the bandleader. Live musicians do not always play the song exactly like the recording you may be using for your practice. If you use the services of a DJ, you’ll need to communicate to make sure the version of the song the DJ plays is the one you are expecting. We also recommend that you select a song that is approximately 3 minutes long. That is plenty of time to enjoy your first dance together as newly- weds, and not long enough for your guests to start thinking about the cake!
You will also need to consider music for your father-daughter dance and the mother-son dance, if you plan to honor your parents that way. In addition to your “first dance” you may want to explore a few other popular dance styles and steps. The top priority is for you to have a lot of fun learning to dance and to look back on the whole experience with delight.
Budget and Timing Every couple has issues with the budget and the time available to devote to dance instruction, because few people have unlimited time and financial resources. Most of our wedding couples require five to ten lessons to get comfortable with their first dance. If your wedding is fast approaching and you have yet to consider dance instruction, or if your fiancé lives in a different
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