M U S I C & E N T E R T A I N M E N T
C H I C A G O W E D D I N G & P A R T Y R E S O U R C E
54
The First Dance: A Class Act
Dance lessons will help any bride and groom show off their moves confidently
By Anna Sachse, CTW Features
GROUP LESSONS VS. PRIVATE
Not sure whether you’d rather practice promenading with a
crew or solo?
Group lessons will likely be less expensive, and can help you
conquer anxiety about dancing around other people. Include
both sets of parents in the lessons. Everyone gets comfortable
with each other and works on their “necessary” dances.
On the other hand, with private classes you’ll have the
instructor’s undivided attention, which means you’ll likely
get the hang of the steps far faster and can practice to your
actual first-dance song.
ACTION PLAN
To avoid ending up in what he calls the “Frankenstein Butt
Hugger” — groom’s hands on bride’s waist, bride’s hands on
groom’s shoulders and you slowly rock yourselves (and your
guests) to sleep — follow a three-lesson formula for begin-
ners that focuses on teaching men to lead and women to
follow, with a variety of steps and simple spins, and a few
dramatically romantic “Oh, baby” moments that couples can
mix up on the fly. If you’re a bit more experienced, sign on
for a few more classes and surprise your guests with some-
thing fast and fun, like a swing, samba or tango.
Dress comfortably for your classes; however, if your dress
will be a full ball gown, wear a crinoline while practicing
so that your fiancé knows how far away he’ll need to stand.
Women also should wear the shoes they plan to dance in on
their wedding day (or a comparable height), and men should
sport leather-soled footwear rather than sneakers.
Ideally, you should start lessons about two or three months
before the wedding – early enough to nail your moves but
not so far ahead that you forget them.
Copyright © CTW Features
