Wedding Ballroom Dance

Whether you’re the bride and groom or a wedding guest, knowing that you’ll be taking the dance floor at the wedding can be stress inducing. If you have no dance experience, you’re going to be even more stressed. There are some things you can do to make the experience less stressful and more enjoyable.

What Kind Of Ballroom Dance Will Be At Your Wedding?

Most wedding ballroom dance experiences end up being good, regardless of the general ability of the partners. That’s because the dance isn’t about being perfect, but about celebrating and appreciating the moment.

That’s not to say, however, that it wouldn’t feel great to know a dance, and be able to dance comfortably.

For many brides and grooms, the “first dance” is a pivotal moment at the wedding reception. It’s at this time that your guests see you as a couple together, relishing your first dance as man and wife. You can certainly just hold each other and sway to the music, but you can also learn a ballroom dance.

Most wedding dance experts say that a structured dance like a simple ballroom rumba or waltz are best. Both are romantic dances that feature relatively easy steps. There are many dance studios who offer not just classes in these dances, but classes that are just for learning a “first dance”. You might learn a rumba, a waltz, or even a foxtrot. You also might not learn any formal dance, but rather a simple dance that highlights the two of you together.

Sometimes the bride and groom arrange for group lessons where the entire wedding party learns a few (or many) dance steps before the big day. This is not only a way to ensure that everyone will be comfortable moving and dancing on the dance floor at the reception, but it also helps everyone get to know each other and have some fun together before the wedding.

Some couples incorporate lessons right into the wedding reception. An instructor can hold a fun and quick ballroom dance lesson for guests and wedding party members at the reception itself.

Now, after the first dance, anything goes at a wedding. Most couples will usually have the music switch from lovely, romantic ballads to funky and fun music. To keep up with the music, some couples might want to learn a few fun steps from the Salsa, Hustle or Cha Cha. All of these ballroom dances are fun and funky. Even better, the best music for these dances is also the type of music that brings ready and willing dancers to the dance floor.

So how can a couple prepare for a good dancing experience at their wedding?

First, decide what kind of music you’re going to have. Will you have a live band, a DJ or someone holding court over a CD player? All options work, but make sure that if you have a DJ, you are careful to discuss your music choices and preferences clearly. You don’t want to suffer through disco music if it’s your least favorite music.

Second, think ahead to that “first dance”. Talk to your partner about it and make sure the two of you are on the same page. Then practice the dance. If you take ballroom lessons before the wedding, practice the steps you learned so you are both confident and comfortable on the dance floor on the big day.

Finally, have fun. There’s nothing worse than a couple (or guests) who are so stressed to be on the dance floor that they are clearly not having any fun. Keep it light and have fun. Everyone else will too.