Imagine it’s your wedding day. You’ve had a beautiful ceremony, tons of fun taking pictures, a delicious meal, and now it’s time to get the party started. You walk out to the dance floor for your first dance as husband and wife in front of all of your family and you … Eeek! What do you do?
Here are 5 fool-proof tips from the pros at Ballroom Dance Chicago for rocking your first dance:
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| This Lovely Couple's First Dance At Their Chicago Adler Planetarium Wedding |
5 Tips For an Amazing First Dance
1) Start dance lessons ASAP
Unlike other items on the wedding prep list, a first dance takes more than signing a contract and letting the vendor take care of the rest. Learning to dance takes time and practice, so don’t leave this detail for the last minute; get started right away (at least 4-6 months before the big day, if you can)!
2) Find the right dance studio: one that specializes in wedding dances
Many ballroom dance studios offer inexpensive or free introductory lessons, and you should take advantage of these! When you’re there, pay attention to details: did your instructor really listen to you? Did you feel comfortable in the studio? Could you see yourself spending time with your instructor? If the answer to any of these questions is “no,” consider another dance studio. It’s easy to just choose the least expensive option, but you'll sacrifice the quality of your first dance. Instead, invest in a studio you’ll really enjoy.
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| "Dance Like No One Is Watching" |
3) Find the perfect first dance song
The perfect first dance song has three qualities:
1) It makes you feel something: joy, love, connection, romance, etc.
2) It makes you want to dance with your partner
3) It fits your personality as a couple and the sentiment of your wedding reception
If you find a song that captures all three, that’s the one! Stop searching. Just give the lyrics a once-over to make sure they really are about love.
4) Decide when to do the first dance during the reception
Your reception timeline can make or break the party, and your first dance has an impact. Do you want your first dance to inspire your guests to get on the dance floor? Then place it after dinner, before dancing. Do you want your first dance to be a grand performance? Then do the first dance right after you enter the reception. Do you want the first dance to be an intimate moment that’s mostly unnoticed by the crowd? Then dance during dinner, while everyone is distracted by their tasty entrees!
5) Consider your wardrobe
Yes, that mermaid gown is gorgeous, but if you can barely walk, sit or breathe in it, then dancing will be a challenge. The same goes for the style of your heels! If being able to dance the night away is important to you, then get a dress and pair of shoes that allows for that. We recommend an A-line dress and Angela Nuran wedding shoes. They’re made like dance shoes with a suede sole and a very comfortable fit, plus they’re gorgeous!
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| Comfortable wedding shoes by Angela Nuran Exclusively Available At www.LeftBankBridal.com |
If you keep all these tips in mind, you’ll be sure to have a great experience dancing at your wedding!
About this guest blogger, Matthew Sove is the owner of Ballroom Dance Chicago,
the city’s top-rated wedding dance studio. For more info, contact them at 312.504.5866 or
www.ballroomdancechicago.com