Wedding First Dance
Dance is Memorable
Wherever we go, whatever we do, we remember the dancing. Was it effortless that day? Did we make anyone smile? Did we inspire someone else to dance with us?
It makes sense to give dance an elevated place on such an important occasion. Dance moves people and brings them together, and it helps leave a lasting impression on both those who experience it and those who watch it. Why not spend a little time learning how to do it well?
Besides, with a little patience and time, anyone can learn how.
Choose Music
It helps a lot when couples choose music they really like. We can make suggestions, but there's really nothing better than dancing to your favorite song together. When you contact us, let us know what song you've chosen or if you need help!
Can't Pick?
During their lesson(s), students often find that the best way of choosing between favorite songs is by dancing to them. You'll know immediately if a song is "right" for you or not, just by the way it makes you move!
We have compiled a list of wedding songs used by our students. Start here if you need some ideas, or simply want to know what songs are popular these days.
Choose a Style
If you don't know what song you would like to use, you can start instead by thinking about the style of your dance. Would you like a light, romantic wedding dance with flowing turns and dips? Maybe you envision a tango like the one in Scent of a Woman. Whatever your preference, the dance style you choose will influence your experience on the dance floor. You can come to us with a style already in mind, or we can help you find one that fits your personality and needs.
Partner Dancing or Choreography?
There are some important differences between learning to partner dance together and learning a choreography.
How to Sign Up
Once you've browsed the choices and decided what style of lesson interests you the most, call us to book your time. You can bring payment to your first lesson. We try to be as flexible as possible, so creating a schedule is easiest if we chat on the phone. You can also contact us here.
Lesson Options
We offer a number of approaches to help couples prepare for their first dance together, from the basics of partner dancing to fully choreographed routines. Some last-minute options are also available.
It takes an average of four lessons for most couples to learn and adapt to new ways of moving together, and feel comfortable doing it.
The goal in this series is to be able to dance freely in front of your friends and family with minimal memorization. A sample outline looks like this, although the actual timeline varies from couple to couple:
- Lesson 1: leading and following; moving across the floor; turns and simple moves
- Lesson 2: more move variations; longer move sequences
- Lesson 3: adding style; how to dip safely; putting it all together in a loose structure
- Lesson 4: polishing moves; entrance/exit; presence; practicing the entire dance; using floor layout
Practice is really helpful between lessons. If you practice just fifteen minutes together once or twice a week, you'll feel more comfortable and remember more, and we'll be able to help you progress even further.
Cost
- $80/hr drop-in (pay as you go)
- $280 for 4 one-hour lessons (paid in advance)
- $70/hr for each additional lesson after four lessons
Option 2: Wedding Dance Choreography
We have two main approaches to choreography. One is creating a loose structure during the First Dance Basics series. During your lesson(s) with us, we'll work with you to create a simple flow from start, through the middle, and to the end of your song. There is no extra charge for this.
Our second approach is to create a step-by-step (beat by beat) routine based on your song. This can happen before we meet you, but we prefer that students come for one or two basic lessons so we can tailor the choreography to their skill level, personalities, and specific needs. Then we will teach it to you in as many lessons as it takes to learn it.
If you choose this second approach, the rates are as follows:
Cost
- Choreography: $75 per minute of song length (2 minute minimum)
- Lessons: $80/hr drop-in (pay as you go)
- Lessons: $280 for 4 one-hour lessons (paid in advance)
Option 3: Last-Minute Lesson
If you're short on time, don't worry! In one to two hours, you will learn enough to move comfortably on the dance floor together. It's better to learn a few key concepts than nothing at all!
We will teach you as much about the partner dancing basics as you can learn in one or two lessons. This includes steps, pauses, turns, flourishes, your entrance, and how to dip safely. We'll start with focused instruction and finish with practice, polishing, and ways to use the music and structure your dance.
Note: Two lessons is the best of the following three options. Our hope is that you will have time (even if it's just one evening) to practice what you've learned before returning to learn more material. It's nice to allow things to sink in and then be able to ask questions at the second lesson. You'll learn more that way!
Cost
- $80 for one 1-hour lesson
- $120 for one 90 minute lesson
- $160 for two 1-hour lessons
Other Ideas: Groups and other arrangements
We teach 30-60 minute group lessons at wedding receptions, and can offer your guests the chance to learn anything from swing to disco to more open-ended styles of partner dancing!
We also teach small groups. Past lessons have included the groom- and bride-to-be and their parents, family members, and friends.
Do you have other ideas to make your wedding more memorable for your guests? Let us know how we can help.
More questions?
Our Frequently Asked Questions page has answers to some common questions about wedding dance lessons in addition to questions about learning to dance in general.
