Wedding Dance Instruction
Your First Wedding Dance
The wedding day is rich with tradition and new trends as well. With all of he rituals, perhaps the sweetest is the first dance. It can however be a point of stress if the couple has not prepared for it. Couple dancing is a skill that takes a little bit of practice. When the bride and groom take the spotlight, it is much easier to have confidence and grace if they have had a bit of practice. So, how should you prepare? What are your options and where do you start? Here are some tips that will help you make this moment a great memory.
The first step is of course to choose the song. But you will also want to consider what type of dance would best fit you as a couple. Slow and romantic, a classic waltz, perhaps a jazzy foxtrot, or the energy of swing, tango or salsa. What ever your choice keep in mind that some dances styles are easier to learn than others, so plan accordingly.
Classic songs like “Our love is Here to Stay”, “Just the Way You Look Tonight”, “At Last” are songs that most wedding bands should be able to play. If your song is more obscure, you could play the recording for the first dance. However if your band is going to play your music, you should make sure the band leader knows in advance what tempo you have been practicing to and for how long you want the song to play. If you have been practicing to a certain recording, be sure that you make a copy for the bandleader so that they understand the arrangement and feel of the music you are expecting. The same song can have several styles so it is important to communicate so there are no surprises on your wedding day.
You should not feel that some sort of performance will be expected of you, remember that it is your day and your first dance should reflect the two of you. However if dancing together is something that you have always wanted to do, there is no better opportunity than your first dance at your wedding to make a statement. Your first dance will be a memory that you will share forever.
So if dance lessons are in your future, you should have no problem finding a dance teacher who has experience with wedding couples. Most dance studios offer private and group lessons. Of course private lessons will cost more, but with private lessons you can concentrate only on what you want to learn and go at what ever pace suits you as a couple best. You can expect to pay anywhere from $25. to $80. a lesson.
There are many types of partner dancing, so it is a good idea to discuss this with your dance instructor before you begin. Once you have located the the dance instructor that you are comfortable with, you will want to bring a recording of your song. If you have not chosen one yet, your instructor will most likely have some good suggestions.
For some it can be uncomfortable going to a dance studio to learn your wedding dance. Or you may have schedules that conflict. In that case we suggest instructional videotapes. There are several products out their that cater specifically to the bride and groom. Some feel too much pressure working with an instructor, or are too shy learning with a group. The videos are a great way to bring the lesson into the privacy of your own home, learning at your own pace. No matter how you decide to proceed, remember to be supportive of each others difficulties. Your efforts will be rewarded.
Often times the wedding couple will go into the first dance just after being announced into the room. Traditionally the father/daughter dance will follow the bride and groom’s first dance. After that, the groom will dance with his mother. Both sets of parents and the bride and groom can then take the dance floor together. The groom may ask the mother of the bride to dance while the bride dances with her new father-in-law. Finally the entire wedding party, and then the guests may join in. As the bride and groom, you will ultimately decide before the wedding day how you would like the dancing lineup to be, and it will be important to communicate with everyone how you want the dancing to flow. Just make sure you have a good selection of songs to complete the formal dancing.
Your first dance will be one of your most beautiful memories from your wedding day. By taking the time to prepare for it you will be able to relax and have fun with it. Try not to think of it as a performance but rather a very special moment in time that will only happen once, as there is only one first dance.
About the Author
Robin Buckley is a nationally known wedding photographer who has photographed hundreds of weddings and whose work has been published in countless wedding magazines. Now she offers a social networking site for brides. www.TheWeddingPlanningClub.com is a place where brides-to-be can make a space and communicate with other people planning their wedding. The site offers easy wedding shopping with the best prices on the internet. You are invited t
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Let’s Dance! : The Best Of Ballroom Foxtrots & Waltzes $4.75 All products are BRAND NEW and factory sealed. Fast shipping and 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed…. |
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The Wedding Dance $49.99 The Wedding Dance – Giclee Print |
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A Wedding Dance $49.99 Marten Van Cleve A Wedding Dance – Giclee Print |
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Complete Instruction Course, Easy Electronic Keyboard Music $19.95 Series: Electronic Keyboard Inventory # HL 00243373 The simple, yet complete method that teaches you how to play and enjoy your electronic keyboard! Includes six comprehensive sections ? Basic Instruction (in two parts) ? Exploring Automatic Rhythm ? Exploring Playing Techniques ? Exploring Intros & Endings ? Exploring Chords. Play these great songs while you learn: Love Me Tender ? Sunrise, Sunset ? Feelings ? Neutron Dance ? Love Is Blue ? Crazy ? People ? In the Mood ? It’s a Small World ? Could I Have This Dance ? Can’t Help Falling in Love ? The Rainbow Connection ? Endless Love ? The Hawaiian Wedding Song ? I Left My Heart in San Francisco ? and many more!Songlist: Alley Cat Amazing Grace Anchors Aweigh And I Love Her As Tears Go By At The Hop Bali Ha’i Bewitched Bye Bye Love Can Can Can’t Help Falling In Love Chiapanecas Climb Ev’ry Mountain Could I Have This Dance Crazy A Day In The Life Of A Fool (Manha De Carnaval) Don’t Be Cruel (To A Heart That’s True) Edelweiss Endless Love Every Breath You Take Everytime You Go Away Love Theme From ‘Flashdance’ For He’s A Jolly Good Fellow Get Me To The Church On Time Green Green Grass Of Home Gus: The Theatre Cat Havah Nagilah The Hawaiian Wedding Song (Ke Kali Nei Au) He’s Got The Whole World In His Hands (Hey, Won’t You Play) Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song I Left My Heart In San Francisco If You Remember Me In The Mood It’s Great Know Ur Good For More Jesu, Joy Of Man’s Desiring Joshua (Fit The Battle Of Jericho) Just The Way You Are Longer Love Is Blue (L’amour Est Bleu) Love Is Here To Stay Love Me Tender Marianne Memory Mickey Mouse March More (Ti Guarderò Nel Cuore) My Country, ‘Tis Of Thee (America) My Funny Valentine Neutron Dance Oh, What A Beautiful Mornin’ Paper Roses People The Rainbow Connection Samba De Orfeu Scarborough Fair Some Enchanted Evening Somewhere Out There Spanish Eyes Speak Low Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious This Could Be The Start Of Something Big This Nearly Was Mine Till Turn! Turn! Turn! (To Everything There Is A Season) Tuxedo Junction Village Tavern Polka What Child Is This? When The Saints Go Marching In Wooden Heart Yesterday |
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Learn To Dance with John O Hurley and Charlotte Jorgensen $24.99 If you’ve ever wanted to glide across the dance floor like a pro, you’re in luck! The couple that danced their way into America’s hearts, John O’Hurley (Seinfeld’s J. Peterman and Dancing with the Stars finalist) and world champion ballroom dancer Charlotte Jorgensen, are here to teach you the same classic dance moves that have captured the world’s imagination! You’ll learn the Waltz…the Rumba…the Cha Cha…and the Quickstep – under the expert guidance of two of America’s best-loved performers. If you’ve got two left feet, fear not! John was a dance-floor flop until Charlotte took him under her wing. Now, this elegant duo makes those seemingly impossible dance moves easy for everyone. Follow their simple instruction, watch the Step by Step Guide, and with just a little practice, you’ll be able to amaze your friends and family at your next wedding, prom, cotillion, special event or just for fun! As an added bonus, Charlotte will also teach you her secrets to building a long, lean and strong body. You’ll not only wow ‘em on the dance floor, you’ll be in the best shape of your life (John lost a whopping 25 pounds while practicing with Charlotte)!The first DVD guides you through basic steps in its How to Dance segment. The second DVD teaches you how to build a dancer’s body, entertains you with a question-and-answer session from John and Charlotte, and keeps the good time coming with outtakes and bloopers! |
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