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Pacific Northwest Bridal for your bridal needs
Your Wedding Dance
Learning to Dance can be a fun adventure for the engaged couple. You want your "First Dance" as a couple to be something to remember with pleasure and pride. This will allow you to present yourselves in a romantic light, looking confident and poised.
With all the high tech equipment around you can be fairly certain someone will have pictures or video of this dance. To make it a pleasant memory and not an embarrassment, you need to:
Learn to dance.
You will find that dance classes are fun and a great way to spend time together before the wedding and throughout your married life. Many couples continue to take classes and grow together while enjoying a social environment. Just because you are married does not mean you have to cut yourselves off from the rest of the world and hibernate. Have fun:
Learn to dance.
At your wedding instead of doing the Penguin Shuffle Dance (where you rock side to side for 5 minutes), or the Two Bears Wrestling Dance (admit it we've all seen it) you can learn to gracefully dance. You want your guests to admire your skill on the dance floor instead of waiting (sigh) for it to end.
Learn to dance.
#1 - Start lessons early - As your big day grows closer you will find your schedule becoming more hectic. Starting early you will be able to enjoy your classes and have more time to perfect your dance and even go out social dancing to practice in public. Besides being enjoyable, dancing in public will help you become more confident and relaxed at your wedding.
The earlier you start, the more at ease you will be on the big day. Also you may decide you need one or two more classes to polish up and feel more confident. You do not want to run out of time. Start early and you will have plenty of time to add a few more classes to either polish or enhance your dance.
Many couples have been misled that they should wait to take dance lessons closer to the wedding date, because they may forget their dance. This is not correct. The closer it draws to the wedding the more hectic it will be, the less chance you have extra time to practice, perfect, and enjoy your lessons. You might even find it difficult to find time to schedule lessons. Realize that you can make notes of your dance and take a refresher close to the wedding. At this time it will be easier to find and hour or two than 5-12 hours.
#2 - Wear Appropriate Shoes for class - DO NOT WEAR OPEN HEELED SHOES TO CLASS, or wooden platform shoes. You will be moving backward at times and if the heel is open you will walk out of your shoe. Ladies for your back's health and for foot comfort it is perferrable that your shoes have a heel no higher than 2 inches.
Shoes to wear to class - Shoes that are light and flexible, leather or Suede soled are best and closed heeled shoes are a must. The more flexible the shoe the better. Different parts of your foot are used during dance. Toe, Ball, Heel, Flat. If your shoes are thick soled or wooden platform your dancing will appear choppy. Soles that grip the floor like athletic shoes give you too much traction and make it hard for you to spin, turn and glide smoothly, they may even damage your ankles and knees as your body turns and your shoes grip and remain in place. Save the 3-5 inche spikes for a dinner date.
#3 Shoes for Bride and Groom: For dancing choose shoes that are light and flexible. Leather or suede soles are best. Closed heeled shoes are a must. The more flexible the shoe the better. Different parts of your foot are used during dance. Toe, Ball, Heel, Flat. If your shoes are thick soled or wooden platform your dancing will appear choppy. Soles that grip the floor like athletic shoes give you traction and make it hard for you to spin, turn and glide smoothly, they may even damage your ankles or knees as your body turns and your shoes grip and remain in place. You can have suede soles added to some shoes at your local shoe repair shop.
Starting early will give you ample time to try out shoes for the big night. On occasion the Bride's chosen shoes are pretty but are not comfortable or stable for dancing. This will give you an opportunity to bring and try out a variety of shoes, and still have time to order/purchase new ones that will be more compatible for dancing. Some Brides have two pairs one for the wedding and one for the reception.
Visit Dance shoes on line. You will likely find a pair of shoes that will work for your dance and your wedding dress. And after the wedding you will have a great pair of shoes for going out dancing.
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Warning: Wearing open heeled shoes can be dangerous. Thongs, slides, clogs and sandal type shoes are not appropriate for dancing. Please do not wear them for class. You can fall off them, or dance out of them when moving backward.
# 4 - Song Selection - Select several songs and send them to me to review. I can help you select the best one from the group; some songs are too fast, some are too slow and some are just awkward.
Some songs are pretty but not very user friendly on the dance floor. I suggest you pick a shorter version of the songs you like when possible. When you are the only two on the floor, five minutes can seem quite a long time. If you are the type that relishes the limelight then go for the longer version.
I will be able help you determine what type of dance will go best with your song. There are many dance styles that can be used for a "First Dance." The Waltz is usually the most popular and others such as: Rumba, Cha Cha, Foxtrot, Night Club Two-Step, and Western dances are just as pleasant to learn and perform.
You will need to bring a copy of "Your Song(s)"to your first class for me to keep.
Do not forget to make an extra copy to give to your DJ. You may want to have a queue song or two preceding it. That way you will be queued to go and freshen your lipstick and be back from the Ladies room in plenty of time.
Get to know your song well. Listen to "Your Song" and know it by heart. Know the feel, the length, and the vocals. Listen to your chosen song and sing along with it. The better you know it the more you will feel confident dancing to it.
#5 -Stress Reduction - Dancing can be great exercise and therefore a wonderful way to reduce stress prior to you wedding day.
#6 - Date Night - Classes are a fun way to have a weekly date night. After class go out to dinner; go to a movie; or best of all go out dancing. It is fun to get to know each other on the dance floor. It is almost a form of marriage training. When dancing, you must communicate and learn to be patient with each other. You should be patient with yourself also. Dancing is a great way to enjoy each other.
#7 - Private Classes - To learn a dance to "Your Song" you will most likely take Private classes, usually you need a minimum 4-5 hours to get the basics down and be able to move around the floor with skill, pose, and confidence (8-12 hours would be better). This is assuming you will be practicing as individuals and as a couple throughout the time between classes. However any instruction is better than none, if you are getting started late.
Private Classes are an hour long (unless otherwise scheduled), and include the cost for both the Bride and the Groom. If you decide to have others join in your class (parents, guests etc) a Private Group Rate will be established. Please contact me for rates. During your Private Class the Bride and Groom will be taught a dance that is appropriate for the chosen song. You will be taught a "Lead and Follow" style Social Dance. He leads while she follows his lead. He will mix and match the figures and decide what will be done when and where during the dance (as in social dancing).
If you want to have a choreographed routine for your wedding dance, there is a one time choreographic fee. This fee is the equivalent of three hours of privates. This fee compensates me for my time out of class planning your dance at your dance level, to your song. I usually spend a great deal more time than three hours, and make small adjustments as needed. Additionally you will be responsible for the private class fees to learn your choreographed routine. The number of classes will be determined by the couple's learning curve as you attend classes. You may require additional classes to complete your choreographed routine, which requires some flexibility in your time and in expenses. Most couples learning a choreographed routine need a minimum or twelve classes. That is a minimum if you practice regularly. Some may take 1.5 hours or 2-hour privates. This is assuming you are a beginner and have not taken dance classes in the style you will be learning for your song. If you have learned the basics of your dance style you may be able to complete it sooner, with regular practice. However, choreographed routines are usually fun, exciting and the guests at your wedding will be awed and impressed by your accomplishment.
Payment and Schedule - A minimum of four classes is requested. Payment for your Private Wedding Class is due up-front. You are responsible to get to your scheduled classes on time and on the scheduled days. There is no refund for missed classes so please check your calendar before committing.
After confirming and committing to a schedule with me you may pay online (there is a transaction fee applied to online payments or you may make a cash payment at your first class.
Group Classes - Group Classes - If you have plenty of time before your wedding date, you might enjoy taking a variety of Group Classes. Group Classes are a great foundation for learning to dance, and a good way to ease into your private classes. You may start your private classes after the group lessons are completed, or even do them both concurrently. If you take a variety of group classes, you will be able to enjoy dancing at your reception to a variety of songs throughout the evening, rather than only being able to dance your "First Dance".
Tips:
Find out the size of your dance floor. When making arrangements for your reception find out the size and position of your dance floor. _____ feet by _____ feet . Is it square, Rectangle? Can you practice on it before the wedding? Where is your Band (DJ) going to be positioned in relation to the floor? Where will the Bride and Groom be sitting in relation to the floor? Where is the best spot for your Videographer/Photographer to be positioned to get the best video/photos of "Your Dance"?
Get permission to go in and practice, on the actual floor where you will be doing your "First Dance". This will give you an advance awareness of the direction of your Audience and Band before the big night. This will take some of the stage fright out of the situation. Wear your wedding shoes on the floor so you have an idea of the how it feels to dance on that dance floor's surface. This will alleviate any surprises or alert you to adjustments that might need to be made.
Jacket and Skirt/Slip - At your last class, the Groom may want to bring a suit jacket and the Bride a long skirt or petticoat (to put over her clothing) to practice in. This will help you get a feeling of dancing with similar type of clothing you will be wearing. I advise you to wear clothing similar to your wedding attire to create the feel of dancing with all that yardage associated with a wedding dress. This will help you get used to the fabric swishing around while learning to avoid stepping on it. And for the Groom the tightness in the shoulders and across the back, caused by his suit jacket, will help him be able to adjust from his casual attire in class.
Notebook - Bring a notebook to write down your new figures (patterns, turns) this will help you when it is time to practice and remember what you learned.
Practice - Practice your individual footwork separately. Each of you, need to know your own footwork. You should not rely on your partner to know both parts and dance both parts. Practice together once you have gone over your own part separately. You do not need to practice for long periods of time; several smaller practice sessions are fine
Do Not Practice - If you are not sure of a figure, move on to ones you are sure of. Do not practice what you are not sure of. You can learn it incorrectly, really well, and it is difficult to unlearn (break a bad habit). You do not have to have your shoes, a big area, and your music to practice. You can practice your footwork here and there alone throughout the day. Then get together when you can and practice as a couple. Ladies, Please let the Man lead, if you lead he will never learn to lead.
Have a Queued song or two that will be played prior to "Your Song" this will be a clue to you so you are not caught off guard or in the bathroom. This will give the Bride time to powder her face and put on fresh lipstick for those camera happy folks out there.
Etiquette says - that until the Bride and Groom dance their First Dance the guest do not dance. So, don't wait too long to get the Party Started. Dance as soon after dinner as possible, that way your guests can get up and enjoy the music and the dance floor.
Your Quick Check List:
1. Join Group classes right away. Any class will help you learn to dance and feel more confident. It does not have to be your favorite dance to join in and start learning.
2. Schedule Privates early and start taking them.
3. Find "Your Song" make a copy and bring it to me at the first class. Get this information to me before your first private: Song Title, Artist, Album, and length.
4. Wear good shoes and bring some to try out. DO NOT WEAR OPEN HEELED or ATHLETIC SHOES in class.
5. Bring a Jacket and a Skirt to at least one class.
6. Find a reception hall that is cooperative about the use and setup of your dance floor.
Know your floor. What size and how you want it set up.
7. Get your Videographer/ Photographer set up, communicate what you want taped, and where you would like him positioned, communicate with him/her ahead of time.
8. Have a Queue Dance or two, and start soon after the meal with your First Dance. Don't forget to bring "YOUR SONG" to the DJ.
9. Do NOT DIP the BRIDE. If you have not been trained do not attempt the DIP. Just because you have seen people do it does not mean you can do it in a safe polished manner. Usually it ends up being the ruination of your lovely dance. The Bride lying on the floor with her petty-coats up over her head, at the end is not something to aim for. So just say NO to DIP. You can pose in many smiling upright positions that will be a nice picture ending.
Copyright 2007 Miss Lori
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For
visiting my web page. Miss Lori
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