Wedding First Dances: 5 Tips to Help You Prepare for the First Dance at Your Wedding by Charlene Torkelson

A wedding day can be stressful! The venue, the food, the dresses, the guests, the wedding day jitters… All of it can be overwhelming! Preparing for the first dance should not compound the stress. As a dance teacher, here are a few tips to make the process easier:

• Start early. Don’t wait until the last week to squeeze in lessons. That is a formula for tension. Try to have your dance prepared before the last week so you are free to deal with other issues that will certainly arise.

• Listen to music for an appropriate song. Pick a song that is meaningful to you but also go into your first lesson with more than one choice. You may have selected a song that is difficult to dance to. So, two or three choices will make the dance easier.

• Make sure your source of music – DJ or group – will play your song – and check the tempo they will play. You might be surprised if you are prepared for one tempo, and the musicians start with a faster or slower speed.

• Practice with your attire in mind. Both partners should bring the shoes that will be worn to the lessons, and the bride should consider her dress before agreeing to some of the moves in the choreography. If you have a dip at the end of the dance and the gown is a fitted style, the dip might have to be revised to accommodate your dress.

• Be aware of your space – the size and shape of the floor where you will dance. Where is your audience? A dip away from your family and friends is not going to work!

But most of all, have fun and enjoy the moment!

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