When to start preparations for the first wedding dance?
The first dance, it is a special and unique part of the wedding. The moment when the bride and groom dance for the first time as a married couple. Many couples plan it as a glamorous show, but also as an experience that brings them closer together. They want the memories of this special moment to stay with them for as long as possible, and the moment itself to be perfect. However, in order for this to happen, preparations need to start early.
Why should you think about learning the first dance in advance?
Planning the first dance at a wedding is often put off, which is understandable in the context of how many decisions related to the organization of the ceremony or the choice of menu you have to make. But as experienced dance instructors, we want to emphasize: proper preparation for the first wedding dance is the key to success. That’s why it’s a good idea to start thinking about it even a few months before the wedding. This will make it easier for you to schedule regular lessons, reduce stress and get all the related things down to the last button. It also allows you to make sure that the moment will be just as you dreamed it to be.
Choosing music and choreography – the earlier, the better
We can’t start dancing if we don’t know what to dance to. Choosing the right music and choreography is the foundation on which you will build the entire learning schedule. This is not an easy task, so it is worth remembering that the first weeks often verify whether the decisions made in this regard were good ones. Choosing the right song and matching the moves to it is crucial to your synchronization on the dance floor. If you are wondering what song to choose, we present our TOP 10 songs for the first wedding dance.
That’s why we recommend thinking about it even a year before the ceremony, although in many cases a period of 6 months is usually enough. Just remember to conduct the first rehearsals as soon as possible, in case it turns out that the song or arrangement is not suitable for you. Then you will have plenty of time left to change your decision. And in case you decide to choose a more difficult wedding dance choreography you will have time to polish the arrangement perfectly.
Study time: instructor or online learning?
Nowadays you have many options to start learning your first dance – from traditional lessons with an instructor to online courses. Each of these options has its pros and cons related to scheduling, among other things. So it’s crucial to consider early on which option you’re going for.
Online wedding dance courses are more flexible and accessible, so it will be easier for you to plan your most convenient training times. You also don’t have to waste time commuting to the dance school, and you save a good amount of money. Buying an entire online course is comparable in price to one hour of individual classes with an instructor. Such a choice also gives you constant access to all the materials, so you decide your own pace of learning and can return to individual lessons at any time.
Learning with an instructor gives you the chance to receive individual guidance. You also have the opportunity to choose an unusual song and can have insight into how your choreography will look. However, it requires regular scheduling of classes at specific times. In the busyness of a wedding, it can be a bit overwhelming for many people. An additional downside to this is the price and the need to purchase at least 5 hours of classes, and even 10 for more difficult choreography. Thus, the final cost can be ten times the price of an online course.
The impact of the choreography difficulty on the practice schedule
Not every first dance choreography requires the same skills and time spent learning it. Individual aptitude also comes into play. If you want to set your sights on something more complicated and have no previous dance experience, we recommend starting training at least six months before the wedding. In fact, the earlier the better. This will allow you to master a challenging choreography and feel a little more confident during the first dance. Remember that more difficult arrangements require good technique, as well as physical fitness. So such time will give you a chance to refine your skills.
On the other hand, in the case of a simple steps and figures, 2-3 months may be perfect. After you have assessed your real capabilities, we also suggest adding a few extra weeks to the expected time. After all, there is a lot going on during this period, so it’s better to not put extra pressure on yourself unnecessarily. Among our online dance courses, you are sure to find the right one for you, and we will guide you through all the stages of learning in the materials. We will discuss figures, steps and technique, all in a way that will help you perfect your first dance choreography in time.
Intensity and frequency of training
Organizing a wedding can be really intense, so it is difficult to find time for everything. With this in mind, we do not recommend long and very frequent sessions. Not only can they be exhausting, but it is much easier in such situations to get frustrated instead of having fun, and in the worst cases even get injured. Therefore, if you start early enough, training sessions 1-2 times a week will be enough to learn the basics and not impose too much load on yourself. You can also practice parts of the layout when you have a free moment and want to do something together – such learning is pure pleasure and does not involve pressure.
What if we forgot to learn the first dance?
Sometimes in the flurry of preparations it is easy to forget about the first dance and the learning is done at the last minute. What then? It is certainly not worth panicking. Focus on a simple layout and, if you have the opportunity, increase the frequency of training. The most important thing, however, is to remember that at the end of the day, it’s a dance, and therefore it’s supposed to be fun. Even lost steps or very simplistic choreography should not affect your enjoyment of the moment.
But to make sure that your first dance is successful after all, we have prepared some LAST MINUTE choreographies. We’ve created them so that they can be mastered in a very short time – even a week, which we don’t recommend, but we know that some situations require it. So you can opt for our simplest choreography: Hallelujah. This is a slow and romantic choreography that is perfect for a first dance. If, on the other hand, you prefer something more dynamic, a good choice would be the joyful, energetic and easy-to-learn Stumblin’ In.
Our conclusion: start early and don't panic!
The first dance is more than just a few minutes on the dance floor. It’s a special moment that will stay with you for years, so it’s worth preparing for it. That’s why, it’s better to start thinking about it well in advance, taking into account all the elements that affect your learning time: from music to choreography to training intensity. And remember, in case of difficulties you can always get professional help. If, on the other hand, preparations for your first dance fall out of your mind – don’t panic, we have ways to help you!
See you on the dance floor!
Ania & Mateusz
