Steps to Creating your Wedding Dance
18-01-2022
First, choose your song
Nothing can move forward until you have settled on a song. Choose a small selection of songs on your phone to play to your dance teacher, as
not all songs will be suitable or necessarily easy to dance to. Also, your choreographer might guide you to suggestions they know will work.
Depending on the style of dance you choose, this will affect the tempo and rhythm (time signature) of the song. Music that is too slow will
make you look like you are sleepwalking and music that is too fast will increase the degree of difficulty and cause you to break out in a
sweat.
If you are keen on a song which is too slow or fast, it might be possible to get the recording digitally altered to suit.
Dancing in your wedding attire
Consider what you can manage in the clothes you will be wearing. You may want to prepare by taking off a jacket or hooking up a train. Very
high heels, off-the-shoulder dresses or veils can be tricky. Discuss this with your dance teacher. Some couples change into a completely
different outfit for this and the rest of the day.
Taking lessons
Some people like to start by joining a general class before continuing to private lessons and tailored choreography. Your first dance can be
as simple or as complex as you can handle. A simple routine might involve a sequence of steps repeated over and over. Or, if you are
confident dancing together, additions could include a gentle dip or drop. Your teacher will soon gauge what you can manage.
Lessons can start as early as three months to six weeks out with weekly sessions and practice time recommended. The bare minimum would be
three or four lessons involving a simple routine that can be repeated, but practice time is a must. Rehearse again as close to the big day
as you can, so the choreography remains fresh in your mind.
Length of dance
Do not feel obliged to dance the full length of a song, especially if it’s a rather long one. Get it edited or arrange for your DJ or band
to fade it out at the prescribed time (or give them a small signal), two minutes is more than enough and will feel like plenty long enough
while you are dancing it.
The dancefloor
Consider how you will begin the dance and how the best man or MC is going to announce it. What will the dance floor be like and what size
will it be? Who will cue the music and fade it out?
How it will look
Take your personalities into account when choosing your music and dance choreography. Are you wanting something sexy, cheeky, loving or
classic? If your wedding is themed to a particular era, this might help you choose a style of dance and music to suit.
Remember this need not be about knock-out moves (unless you are both professional dancers), but about creating moments of connection and
love. That is what will give your friends and family goosebumps and bring tears to their eyes. Have fun, look into each other’s eyes, smile,
be present.
When to dance
Personally, we wanted to get our first dance over early, so we could enjoy some champagne and relax and not worry about forgetting the
routine. So, in our case, after the church service and after our photographs (which involved a bit of champagne), we arrived at the
reception venue, were announced - “Please welcome Mr and Mrs dot dot dot” and we entered the room and danced. Then there were drinks
followed by a meal, speeches etc.
Try not to leave it too late in the proceedings, for by that time you might be a bit frazzled or tiddly, and forgetful.
In summary ..
This ought to be something that you both want as part of your wedding nuptials. If one partner is not so keen, then this could
cause unnecessary friction on a day that you’ll want to be all ease and grace.
Having said that, a wedding dance can be short, sweet and simple, it doesn’t need to be a big production. And if done well it will impress
on friends and family your ability to work as a team.
Ange
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