Get started now with your Pre-Wedding-Dance Checklist:
9-6 Months out:
* Begin scouting for and talking to reputable dance instructors who specialize in Wedding Dance. (Hint: Instructors who are full-time professionals provide superb and fun training and will make your time with your fiance' seem like a "date night"). If you want a very elaborate dance, have a "dance handicap" or are "rhythm challenged", now is the time to begin an initial consult. For a list of reputable instructors who specialize in Wedding Dance in your area, email us for your FREE list [HERE].
6-3 Months out:
* Assemble your favorite songs, or examples of types of music you like. If you can remain open-minded about a few songs rather than settling upon one, that will allow your expert instructor to give you more latitude in your routine, a stress-free learning environment and will also save you money by allowing you to learn your dance much faster. I typically have a long list of traditional, modern and "out-of-the-box" songs that are perfect for First Dance, and many couples enjoy expert recommendations for this as well.
* Bring your dress (or at least photos) for your instructor to review (now, don't let the Groom see!). The dress style, cut, length and bustle has a big impact on your dance. Knowing your dress style and details will allow your routine to fit you as good as your dress does!
* Bring your fiance'! A good instructor will put him at ease. A great instructor will inspire him. You may end up with a man who likes to dance after all....
* Know your layout at the venue for your reception and have that available. Since you'll be working with a professional, he or she will be choreographing your event, and will need to see where you'll be, how the floor is arranged, floor size, etc.
* Bring your shoes to your first lesson. If you don't have shoes, many professional dance venues sell professional ballroom dancing shoes. Moving in a dancing shoe is much more comfortable than a traditional wedding shoe; they can be dyed later, and this puts you at a distinct advantage...as well as helping your fiance' likewise. For a list of recommended first dance shoes and locations to purchase, email us to get your FREE list of First Dance Shoes.
90 days out:
* Begin your training. You want a buffer of extra time. If your schedule involved travel, or overlapping schedules where you and your fiance' will have a difficult time having consistent lessons, begin sooner.
* Practice! Ask your Dance Instructor how to best practice your steps and your routine.
* Pay for your entire training up front. That may sound a bit intimidating, but answer this question: Who's fiance' will duck out of a lesson first: the one who only has an appointment penciled in, or one who has pre-paid? This is a once-in-a-lifetime event, and with a course charted and paid-for in advance, your dance will probably amaze even yourself, or that hard-to-please relative!
* Travel for the Right Teacher. If you "click" with an Instructor, he or she will be worth the extra travel, as you'll learn faster, have more fun, and have a much more successful first dance. Professional chemistry makes for a great teacher-student relationship.
* Purchase your shoes if you don't have them, or if you want something more comfortable.
* Coordinate any additional training you want for your Father/Daughter or Mother/Son dances. Many couples are now involving their wedding party in the training too, so they can all move better. Consider anything you've always wanted to learn about dancing and see if now might be the right time to learn it. Even a surprise routine change or a "Second Dance"?
* Video your routine with your Instructor involved and see what you think? Feedback to him/her is vital to ensure you are getting what you want. If you don't like the direction, or what you're getting as far as the direction of the training, ask for a direction change, and let your feelings be made known. The instructor is there to help you and your fiance' have the very best dance of the rest of your lives.
2 Weeks Out:
* Look at all that you and your fiance' have overcome! You've already begun the journey of overcoming together, and cementing yourselves as a team! Go you two!
* Iron out any last minute hitches you notice. Open up any concerns with your instructor and he or she can help you.
* Arrange a final practice time/review as a refresher if you feel the need (this you'll only know when the time comes).
* Arrange a place to review in private at your facility, right before you go out. This will get rid of that one last butterfly...
* Ask your videographer and photographer to credit your Dance Instructor for your wonderful choreography that you'll be doing. Additionally, why not ask them to send a video clip and some still photos for your Instructor to have for his or her "wall of fame" as well?
* Tell your friends and family who are getting married about your wonderful instruction! Instructors love helping friends of friends.
The night of:
* One last review! Smile and Laugh once! You'll do great, look great and impress your family and friends. Enjoy...you both deserve it!
One year later:
* Get a refresher lesson and have a "date night" for just you two. Kids, pets, preggo or not....you need to carve out space and this is a fun and convenient excuse to do something you'll never regret and which will add even more to your new love-life together.
Copyright: 2009 Dance Pizazz, all rights reserved. No reprinting without written permission.
David J. Thompson
Owner/Professional Dance Instructor - Ballroom, Latin, Swing, Club, Wedding, Exhibitions |
