Would you like a little help to look your best at your wedding dance? Father-Daughter dance prep lessons are also popular.
Wedding dance instruction is designed especially for couples who want a choreographed routine, or just a comfortable, natural look when you dance to your wedding music.
Your wedding is your day to shine. Our straight-forward instruction progresses at your pace, and prepares you to shine on the dance floor.
You can learn how to dance at your wedding by taking Group Lessons, Private Lessons, or both.
Your first step to preparing for your wedding dance is choosing a song. There are many styles of partner dance (waltz, foxtrot, swing, nightclub, rumba, and many more). Depending on the song you choose, one will be easiest and 'look best' with the song you choose. Your instructor will help you determine which style(s) are best for you. Almost any music will work, but if you need help, here's a list of popular wedding dance songs.
Depending on the complexity of choreography you would like to learn, you can prepare for your wedding dance with as little as one lesson. Generally, the more complext choreography you would like, the more lessons it will take. If you'd just like to 'look like you know what you're doing,' this usually takes only 1 lesson. Most couples choose to take several private lessons, to reinforce what they learn & feel more confident.
Private lessons are the fastest way to learn. You progress at your own pace, with 100% attention from your teacher. Private lessons allow you to ask questions in a discrete environment. You also learn choreography catered to you and your chosen wedding song. We highly recommend private lessons to couples as the best way to prepare for your wedding day.
If you have a special song you've selected for your wedding dance, please bring it to your lesson.
First: We will listen to the music you have selected, or offer you a selection of popular Wedding Songs to use for your wedding dance.
Second: We teach you how to correctly walk onto the dance floor, what do with your hands, arms, feet, dancing to the music, steps appropriate for your experience level and music, and more
Third: By the end of just one private lesson, couples are usually able to dance to their song.
Wear lightweight dress shoes. Avoid sneakers, rubber soled, or spike-heel shoes. Everyday attire is appropriate for dancing. Stretchy, light clothing will be easier to move in.
As soon as possible. The earlier you start, the lower your stress and the more time you have to learn your wedding dance. If you can start early, you will be able to learn a routine that will impress your guests and as an added benefit: You will actually learn to dance! After all, there's no reason to stop dancing after your wedding. You and your partner can dance for the rest of your lives, starting with your wedding dance lessons.
To add enjoyment for your wedding guests, you may want to have a dance lesson at your reception or rehearsal dinner. If you plan to take wedding photos after your ceremony, this is a great option to entertain your guests while your bridal party is otherwise occupied. Off-campus dance instruction costs $150/hour and is reserved in advance through our front desk.
1. Practice daily: Just a couple minutes a day in your kitchen will help you remember everything on your big day!
2. Brides: Take it easy on your groom, leading is a difficult skill to learn.
3. Grooms: Loosen up and have fun, after you've taken lessons, you know more about how to dance than most of your guests!
Most wedding dance floors are small, so practicing in your kitchen is fine! If you'd like to get used to dancing in front of other people, we invite you to any of our Weekly Dances open to the public every Sunday which includes a free 1/2 hour lesson for beginners from 7-7:30pm. Our dance runs from 7:30-10pm and costs $5 per person. People of all ages and skill levels attend these dances to practice what they learn in class.
If private lessons are outside of your budget, the least expensive way to learn to dance is to take beginning level Group Classess. We have many beginning level group classes to choose from. Click HERE to view our current Beginners Group Classes. Some beginners classes are 1 day only, but most run in a five week series (the same day of the week & time of day, 5 weeks in a row). Beginners classes usually cost $10 to drop in (per person), with wseries discounts available if you pre-pay for an entire 5-week series.
Make sure your chosen wedding song is the same rhythm as the class taught. For example: If your wedding song is a waltz, do not take a group cha cha class. If you need help identifying which style of dance your wedding song is, feel free to call (503)639-4861 or e-mail us in advance.First: Your teachers will demonstrate for the class the figures to be taught that day. The dance style, music, and lesson materials are pre-determined and the class progresses at the average learning pace of the group.
Second: Men and women will learn their "parts" separately
Third: Men and women will dance their "parts" together
Fourth: The class will rotate partners. Couples who choose not to rotate often can't keep up with the rest of the class. Consequently -- though rotating is not required, it is highly recommended. If you choose not to rotate, you will likely be the only people in class not rotating.
Finally: Towards the end of class, instructors usually partner people back up, if they came with a special partner. You'll finish out group class dancing the class routine with your partner, dancing to music the instructor has pre-selected. Instructors usually pick songs that are easy for students to hear the beats -- so the music likely will not be 'your special song' you pre-selected for your wedding dance.
Wear lightweight dress shoes. Avoid sneakers, rubber soled, or spike-heel shoes. Everyday attire is appropriate for dancing. Stretchy, light clothing will be easier to move in.
Look for the burgundy & gold building with the "BALLROOM" marquis |
