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First Dance Frolics

Wedding Journal's guide to a floor stopping first dance...

It's the moment you have been dreaming of, the lights have dimmed, the music has started and all eyes are on YOU!

The first dance was created as an opportunity for newly weds to dance together in a symbolic art of togetherness before family and friends. A generation or two ago, before the era of the disco, couples were used to dancing together at the local dance hall and had no qualms about getting up and putting on a very public show on their wedding day.

Today, the climate has changed and most couples face the grim realisation that their wedding day will be the first time they have actually danced together; and by danced we mean properly danced, in each others arms, moving in tandem, rather than shaking their bits across the dance floor under a glitter ball in the local night club.

The wedding dance is usually a much anticipated and enjoyable part of a wedding reception where people get a chance to let their hair down and enjoy themselves after the formalities. It is also a lovely way for the newly married couple to display their love for each other and surprise and entertain their guests with a beautiful choreographed dance routine.

So what's expected of you? Do you take to the dance floor and do a three-minute shuffle to the embarrassment of your guests, or do you shock the room and take the matter into your own hands with a few dance lessons?

Dance classes are now huge here for couples wanting to shock their guests and get the party started properly.

Wedding dance lessons in a studio can be a fun experience as you learn your routine together guided by a professional dance instructor.

Wedding Journal caught up with Victoria McAdoo proprietor of First Dance NI a Northern Ireland company who is helping Irish couples to strut their stuff on the dance floor.

First Dance NI has been running now for three years and Victoria said that it has been going from strength to strength with more and more couples wanting to perfect their dance skills for their big day.

Victoria said: "I will work with the couple to design a personalised dance routine to their special song, giving them style and technique for a polished performance. To give them the confidence to stand up in front of their family and friends and be the stars on the dance floor."

Victoria explains current dance trends: "The vast majority of my couples simply want to be able to avoid the dreaded 'hug'n'shuffle', a word I've patented to describe the cardinal sin on the dance floor.

Certainly many want a fully choreographed routine, but most just want to be able to move around the floor and not look like they've been for lessons. There are always those that want the big extravagant routine, but they are in the minority."

Victoria reveals what works best for a first dance routine: "It depends on the couple. The extroverted couples with big personalities can get away with the big fancy routines.

"Many couples don't like the limelight, but as I tell them, they are going to be the focus of everyone's attention on their big day, all day and especially at the time of the first dance, so the nervous, less outgoing couples just want to be able to not fall over."

If you are interested in booking dancing lessons don't leave it to the last minute as Victoria explains: "You should book your lessons preferably six to eight weeks before the wedding to learn a dance routine. It's also best not to leave it to the last minute too, as the closer the wedding comes, the less time couples will have and they will only put additional and unnecessary pressure on themselves."

Victoria offers couples a fun, friendly and relaxed atmosphere for you and your partner to have your private dance tuition. Lessons last for an hour each and the number required will be entirely dependent on what you want to achieve on your first dance, and how much time you have until then. She charges £42 per couple for an hour's lesson and for a package of five, £195 or three express lessons for £120.