Frequently Asked First Dance Questions answered by Your Perfect Wedding Dance

Frequently Asked First Dance Questions answered by Your Perfect Wedding Dance

     While many questions that I get asked by the newly engaged couple are specific for their wedding, there are a good number of repetitive ones. When should I start learning how to dance?; What type of music should I use?; How many lessons do we need? These are some of the most common questions I answer on a weekly basis. Here is a list of some of the common concerns couples have in regards to taking their first wedding dance lesson. Enjoy!

1- We are not good dancers, will this be difficult for us to learn?

Every lesson is perfectly customized to your dance level. You don't have to be a dancer of any kind to be able to gracefully move about the dance floor. Just keep in mind, the more you rehearse after your class, the better you will feel and the more natural you will dance.

2- How many lessons do we need?

This is a tough one. Your instructor will not be able to precisely assess your dance skills until after your first lesson. Once your instructor sees how well you pick up the dance moves, choreography and your level of coordination, then they can advise you on the number of lessons to achieve your dance.

3-  What should we bring to the lesson?

You really don't need to bring anything special for your dance lesson. Wearing comfortable clothing could be different for everyone. Whether wearing sneakers and pants or a dress with heels is your comfort zone, go for it. If you want to try dancing in your wedding attire or just bring wedding props, like a veil, you're more than welcome to bring those with you.

4- The tempo of our song changes halfway through the song, will this be possible to work with?

Typically the tempo stays the same throughout the song but rhythms may change. This may make you believe that the tempo has been affected. It is very rare that tempo's change in the song but if they do, it is very easy to work with and incorporate into your dance.

5- Is it possible to dance to multiple songs?

Yes! The combination of multiple songs will make your first dance that much more exciting. Simply bring your already cut song to your dance lesson so your instructor can choreograph with the transitions. It is also important to keep in mind that learning more than 1 dance will require more practice on your part.

6- When should we start learning our first dance?

Typically I recommend starting anywhere from 1.5 to 1 month out before the big day. This way you have enough time to learn your wedding dance and have enough time to rehearse on your own. As well, this time frame keeps the wedding date close by so you don't forget your dance by the wedding. This does not mean you cant start sooner. The earlier you start, the more comfortable you will feel dancing--as long as you practice.

7- What type of music should we use?

The best song to use for your first dance is the one you fell in love with. There really is no specific type of music to dance to. It can be anything from slow to fast, happy or romantic, techno or classical. As long as there's a rhythm, you can dance to it!

If you find you have questions specific to your wedding, please don't hesitate to call or email us any time at yblinova@yourperfectweddingdance.com!

Happy Dancing!

For more great blogs and information please visit us at: YourPerfectWeddingDance.com

When To Begin Taking Dance Lessons For Your First Dance... Your Perfect Wedding Dance

     Dancing is easy! Right?... Well just like learning anything new for the first time, whether riding a bicycle or learning a new language, sometimes we need extra time to get the hang of it. Yes some people do have a knack for picking up dance moves quickly and that is great but ballroom dancing is a whole new beast. Partner dancing now involves 2 people moving together in harmony. If you have never formally learned how to dance in a pair, this typically causes issues. Coordination between 2 people is challenging and getting onto the correct rhythm together and most importantly, keeping that rhythm does not come easy. Please give yourselves ample time to not only learn your choreographed first dance but also give yourselves enough time to practice and perfect it.

     Typically I recommend starting anywhere between 1.5 to 2 months out before the big day. This will typically allow for the couple to learn their routine, feel comfortable with the music and of course incorporate some dance tricks into your routine. After the first dance is set, now you can practice on your own without having a huge gap between your last lesson and the wedding day. We wouldn’t want you to forget the dance!!

     Some couples will start as early as 6+ months before the wedding to begin learning their first dance. There’s nothing wrong with that. In the end you want dancing to be a hobby for you and your significant other, so why not start sooner? 

     However there are those couples that call a week or even a day before the wedding. Better late than never…true but you have to be honest with yourself. Will you truly be able to practice at home and actually dance what you learned in a few hours? If you and your fiancé can’s see yourselves practicing that night or early the next morning, then there is a 99% chance that you will resort to swaying. Dancing isn’t difficult so much as it is repetitive. Practice makes perfect is a true slogan because we need to rehearse and help our brain memorize the pattern. One lesson will not benefit you fully and I would honestly recommend at least 2 dance lessons. 

     Dancing is a sport and an art in one. It isn’t easy but not impossible either. Try your best to have ample time to really get ready for your magical first dance. It will be worth in the end!

     For more great blogs and information, please visit our website at YourPerfectWeddingDance.com!

Dance to Your Own Beat...Here's How! -Your Perfect Wedding Dance

Dance to Your Own Beat...Here's How!

     When you are learning your first dance, there are a number of things that typically will make you anxious. Dancing does not come naturally for most and when it comes down learning a choreography, well that is a whole new beast to tackle. 

     One of the most common concerns that I address at my dance sessions is the beat of the music. How important is it really to dance perfectly on-tempo? Will anyone really know the difference between a slow or a quick rhythm when they have a drink in their hand? 

     The answer to all of these questions, and more, is no. Absolutely no one in your wedding party will specifically stare at your feet and count out the rhythm as you and your significant other are dancing away. Relax, smile and enjoy your moment on the dance floor!

      However, here are a few great tips to learning how to hear and dance to the rhythm: 

 

 1: Put on a song of your choice, with a strong beat (ex: Bruno Mars- Just

                                                                                    the Way You Are)

 2:  Tap your foot, snap your fingers or bob your head to the accenting beat

 3:  Start moving your feet side to side (side tap, side tap, etc)

 4:  Now try finding an accented beat in your wedding dance choice

 5:  Repeat these steps until you are moving freely, side to side, to your first        dance song choice

VOILA!

     Remember, these things do take time but with practice, everything is possible. Whether you want to freestyle through your first dance or perfect every little detail, the choice is yours. Your wedding dance teacher will help you with whichever decision you make. 

For more great blogs and information, please visit our website at: www.YourPerfectWeddingDance.com

 

Should you take lessons for your First Dance? --YourPerfectWeddingDance

Wedding season is creeping up again! It is a wonderful time when couples profess their love for one another, take that next step in their committed relationship and pop the question. It’s absolutely beautiful!
Now that you are happily engaged, you realize just how much work goes into prepping for a wedding! Whether you are a Do It Yourself type of couple or rely solely on your wedding planner type of couple, chances are you are going to make some decisions about your big day.
The First Dance, a magical and usually one of the favorite moments of the groom and bride, can be quite stressful. Most of the time, the bride and groom don’t know anything about dancing and swaying in a bear hug back and forth, although not the desired choice, can seem like the only way out.
Then there is the option of taking dance lessons and having a professional dance choreographer put together a dance routine that best expresses your relationship. This is a FANTASTIC choice! The only thing that stands in the way between you and making that phone call... the fear that the dance will be too hard. This will not happen. Relax. Trust the pros.
Every dance session should slowly integrate more interesting steps, choreography, level of difficulty. You start slowly, learning the basics, moving together in unison, and voila! Your First Dance is exactly what you wanted it to be. Flawless in every way, perfect for the wedding and is a significant memory of a fun activity as a married couple!
Enjoy every moment! Learn to dance! You will only have one First Dance!

For more blogs and wedding dance information, please visit our website at: www.YourPerfectWeddingDance.com

The Elegant Waltz - Your Perfect Wedding Dance

                                                             

                                                                The Elegant Waltz



Most people dream of their First Dance and envision a fairytale waltz danced by the princess and her prince. An elegant, slow, romantic waltz has been and probably will always be the favorite dance for couples worldwide. The enchanting music and the flowing, spinning steps are the perfect combination for a wedding dance. In this blog, I will help you learn the basic steps and proper technique so that you can also enjoy this beautiful dance.

The waltz timing is a simple 3 count beat, there are no slow's, quick's or syncopated timings in the basic box step. The man starts out forward on his left leg on count 1, takes a side step with his right leg on count 2 and brings his left leg to the right leg, switching weight onto his left leg on count 3. To complete the box step, the man steps back on his right leg on count 1, side step with his left leg on count 2 and brings his right leg to left leg, switching weight onto the right leg on count 3. This will continue smoothly without breaks until your box step is a continuous movement.

The lady's steps will always mirror the men's steps. The lady will repeat the same sequence as the man and follow the same timing, starting back on her Right leg, side with the Left and closing the feet together, switching weight onto her Right leg for the 1, 2, 3 count.

To keep the box step from feeling staccato and choppy, commence moving onto the next step from the moment your weight switches from one foot to the other. The movement of weight shift should feel as though you are constantly shifting weight and moving without pausing. Practice makes perfect!

For information and illustrations on dance frame, please check out our blog on our website: www.YourPerfectWeddingDance.com

Happy Dancing!!!

Is There Such A Thing As A Perfect Wedding Dance?

Your Perfect Wedding Dance

Is There Such A Thing As A Perfect Wedding Dance?

The big day is finally here, you’ve been waiting and planning for what seems like a lifetime. One thing that is on your mind is, will everything go as planned? Well, usually there’s always something that goes astray during a wedding. It could be something as small as musical difficulties, a wardrobe emergency or etc. Keep your dancing right up there with those possibilities.

Unless you are either a devoted dancer, a professional or simply have committed many, many hours into your wedding dance, mistakes are bound to happen. I always encourage my students to work through their mistakes without stopping and finding a way to make it work. It is natural to become overwhelmed or anxious and forget the routing on the dance floor. It is also very common and the best advice I can give is, be prepared. Remember no one knows if you make a mistake or not unless you make it obvious. Keep moving, keep swaying, dip your partner or if all is lost, simply stop and kiss him/her, then resume the dancing.

Most of the time the ladies have a long gown on so their feet are no visible, thus this gives the girls a lot of wiggle room to make a mistake and hide it well. GO ladies! However this is also a very powerful tool for the men! If the audience can only see two feet and they have nothing to compare it to, how will they know if you two are not synchronizing your steps? They won’t…

With that said, it can still be obvious if we trip over a food, turn the girl the wrong way, or fall during a dip (!!!), but that is something that we try to avoid at all cost by practicing before the wedding.

You don’t need to take dancing very seriously and make your feet bleed from over practicing, but remember, the more work you put into it, the easier the dancing will feel and the more relaxed you will feel!

This is Your wedding day! Enjoy the journey and Happy Dancing!

For more great blogs and videos, please check out our website at: YourPerfectWeddingDance.com or Like our Facebook Page!

The Perfect Tempo Song for Your Wedding Dance

Your Perfect Wedding Dance

The Perfect Tempo Song for Your Wedding Dance

Many times when I have a new wedding couple coming in for their first wedding dance and they are still undecided about their first dance song, the reason is usually because the couple doesn’t know what tempo is appropriate. The first song is the more traditional, slow and elegant rhythm, maybe an oldie that is very wide known as the wedding song. Such songs are usually the Frank Sinatra’s, Etta James, maybe John Legend, or the current popular love song on the radio.

Then there is the matter of the second song. It is either a quicker tempo, a song that is not widely known or is not one that is considered a “wedding dance song”. These can range anywhere from house music to musicals from Greece, an electric slide or a rap song.

There really is no “wrong” answer here. The style of your wedding, your theme, your audience, personality and energy all play into effect. Your dance instructor can choose which rhythm to focus on and can structure that choreography accordingly. This does not mean that the choreography will be any less sophisticated or graceful. Simply put, your dance will be more uplifting and energetic, which means you can incorporate more “Fun” steps, more dips and turns, lifts and really create a storyline within your dance.

Another option to consider is to combine both songs into one. Start out with a slower dance, begin with a beautiful entrance, and sway with your significant other and somewhere down the line break into your second song. That will not only surprise your guests but will definitely liven up the party! This has been and still continues to be the popular choice amongst wedding couples, father/daughters dances and mother/son dances.

In the end, keep in mind that this is Your big day and you can do whatever you want. It is essential to make sure that everyone has a good time at your wedding, but you can still add your personal touch to the wedding and really make it yours!

Happy Dancing!!!

For more great blogs and videos, please check out our website at: YourPerfectWeddingDance.com or Like our Facebook Page!