Do I really need wedding dance lessons? Are they really worth it? I feel like I’m a pretty good dancer already… It doesn’t matter that my partner can’t dance, I’ll be able to make our wedding dance awesome. Does this sound like you? Or maybe you’re realizing that you haven’t even thought about your wedding dance because you’ve been buried under the million other things that go into planning a wedding… Either way, the first step to having an amazing first dance that you and your guests will remember forever is dreaming up what you and your partner want it to look like! Writing things down helps- make a list of your wildest dreams for your first dance and then figure out how to make them a reality…
This is where we come in. Oftentimes, couples think they don’t really need any lessons or specific wedding dance choreography. But, if you haven’t imagined your first dance yet, think about it. Your head is spinning from the most crazy, wonderful day of your life and now you have to dance in front of all of your guests? This may be the most memorable dance moment of your lives! Are you sure you want to wing it? Having choreography made by a professional, learning it and practicing it can take A LOT of the stress off this big moment. Especially if either you or your partner happen to be a little less than comfortable out on the dance floor. Taking the time to solidify your wedding dance choreography beforehand lets your muscle memory take over on the big day so you can stay present and enjoy the moment. Just like everything else wedding-related, the more you plan, the more likely it is to go off without a hitch. And, trust us, you don’t want to find out on your wedding day that you or your partner actually get pretty darn nervous dancing in front of people. Not the feelings you want to be having for your big moment!
If you or your partner don’t have any previous dance experience, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity to learn something together. How often are you ever going to dance in front of a crowd of adoring fans? This is probably it. Putting the time in to find the perfect song(s), talking through what style of dance you both want to learn, using the choreography to tell your story, practicing together, and learning how to actually use dance and movement as a tool to relax and be in the moment with each other is a wonderful gift you can give yourselves for your wedding day. Using dance to learn how to work together, support each other, and move together as one is a wonderful way to start married life together, and an instructor can really help light the way if you’re unsure of where to start or even if you get stuck somewhere along the way. Think of your instructor as your tour guide on your wedding dance journey- you don’t always need a tour guide to see the sights in a new place, but they’re always helpful! And they can help organize things in ways you may not have thought of so you don’t waste any time. And we all know how precious time is leading up to a wedding...
If you or your partner (or both!) are more experienced dancers, all the more reason to reach for the sky and have a choreographer step in to make something truly impressive for both you and your audience. Lifts, tricks, and drops aren’t things that most people have (safely!) in their dance move arsenal, but with a little help from a professional instructor, they’re really not that hard! Safety is the number one concern for these flashy moves, but as long as you know some tips and tricks, you can really wow your guests. We’ve been known to really blow guests minds with the first dances we dream up with our clients. Why not go big for your big day?
Here at Wedding Dance Vows, we believe that collaboration is key. We want to make sure that both of you are actively involved in the creative process. Starting from the music all the way up through adding layers of movement based on your own personal taste and style will make you feel like yourself when you dance. We don’t want to give you choreography that feels foreign to your body- this is YOUR wedding dance, after all, and we want to make sure it feels like it!
Hopefully this post has helped you consider all the options and make an informed decision about whether or not to take dance lessons and/or work with an instructor to choreograph your first dance. Maybe we even brought up some points you hadn’t thought of yet! If you’re still confused about what to do, check out our next post about group classes vs. private lessons. Learning about the pros and cons of each may help you to decide what’s best for you. Whatever the case, make sure you talk to your partner and come up with the plan that’s right for you. If you decide to work with an instructor, we’re here for you and we can’t wait to help make your wedding dance dreams come true!