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Tripping the light Fantastic Got two left feet? Perfect your first dance technique…

Your first foray onto the dance floor as husband and wife is supposed to be a very special moment. It's a chance for you to dance together in perfect harmony showing with passion, confidence and pride, that you are the perfect match.

Unfortunately, things don't always work out this way. Couples spend thousands of pounds and hundreds of hours planning every last detail of their wedding to perfection, with the last dance choice often being left to the last minute - after all, how hard can it be to choose a song? Not hard at all if you just had to pick a song that you like. The problem is that you need to select a song you can actually dance to, and when I say dance I mean, waltz, hustle, salsa, tango - the sort of thing you see on Strictly Dance Fever.

The reality is that when it comes to proper dancing, most couples don't know where to begin. The first time you dance as a married couple for all your guests to see, is a once in a life time occasion and with all the effort you've put into your wedding and reception, a romantic duet choreographed for two is the icing on the cake.

So how do you turn a dancing dunce into a dancing queen?
WJ has all the answers.

LESSONS IN LOVE
If you don't have to worry about your shoes, your song or your steps, your first dance will be exactly what it's intended to be - fun and romantic. In order to make that happen however, a little preparation goes a long way. Don't ruin your reception with a first dance that embarrasses everybody. Be prepared, impress your guests and dance a duet that embodies the spirit of the day.

Prospective brides and grooms who want to give a polished and graceful performance on their big day are increasingly opting to take dance lessons to help prepare for what may be the performance of their lifetimes.

If you're thinking of going down this road you have two main options: you can take an intensive course of private lessons or join a dance class. The advantage with private lessons is that you can have the class tailored to your specific needs. All you need to do is choose the song you want to dance to and the dance instructor will help you choreograph the perfect routine, focusing on one dance in particular. Private lessons
are also a good idea if you have left the dancing to
the last minute as you could talk to the teacher about doing and intensive course -perhaps one hour a night for a week or a full day at the weekend. Some dance instructors will even come to your own home.

If you have more time on your hands and are interested in learning a variety of dance styles, then group lessons are ideal. Dancing with a group is also more fun and much less stressful as the focus isn't on you as a couple, but on the group as a whole. Then, as you get nearer your wedding day, you can think about specialising in one dance in particular, looking for a class dedicated to the style you have chosen, or taking one or two personal lessons if you think your performance needs a little fine tuning. 

The dance style you pick should be influenced by your choice of song and your ability. Do you want the classic romance of a waltz, or would you prefer a relaxed and jazzy foxtrot? Maybe the exuberant energy of a swing dance or the intensity of an Argentine tango is more your style

If you enjoy Latin rhythms you may like a slow rumba or a lively salsa. A simple slow dance is always an option. Keep in mind that some dance styles are easier to learn than others, so time may be a factor in your decision.

Don't take lessons because you feel that some sort of performance is expected out of you. Remember, this is your day and should reflect your personality. If the thought of an instructor taking you through the moves is making you break out in a sweat, then don't do it, you might even want to think about scrapping the whole ‘first dance' tradition altogether, we promise you won't be the first! However, if dancing together is something that you've always wanted to do but never had the time or the nerve, now is a great opportunity. This will be something that the two of you can share forever and there will always be plenty of opportunities to enjoy your dancing skills such as a friend's wedding, a fancy function, or even a nightclub

A CLASS ACT
The best way to find a dance teacher is through word of mouth. It really helps if you know friends or family who have taken lessons in the past and who can recommend an instructor. If you have no luck here you should be able to find teachers who have experience with wedding couples at your local dance school or in the Yellow/Golden pages. When you call, ask if that studio has any special wedding packages available.

Most dance studios offer both group classes and private lessons. Group classes are certainly more affordable, but a private lesson will focus on what you want to learn and go at whatever pace is right for you.

You should expect to pay around £30/€40 per hour for a private lesson and £10/€14 each for a group class with costs varying due to experience, availability, and location.

If you have trouble finding a teacher that you like, or if time, money and shyness are considerations, you may want to try teaching yourself to dance at home using an instructional DVD. There are plenty of DVDS on the market that offer step-by-step instructions on everything from salsa to the fox trot, with a few catering specifically for wedding couples and their special needs. This will allow you to learn at any time and in the privacy of your home, which is ideal if either of you are nervous about learning to dance.

THE BEGINNING AND END
It's usually up to the bandleader or DJ to call you out to the dance floor and announce your first dance as husband and wife. After a few minutes together on the dance floor it's traditional for the father of the bride to cut in and dance with his daughter. This may be done to a new song or during the original song. At this point the groom may ask the bride's mother to dance. Then the groom's father may dance with the bride, at which time the bride's father may cut in on his wife and the groom. The groom may then ask his mother to dance. Additionally the groom may dance with the chief bridemaid and the bride with the best man, while the in-laws dance with each other.

Finally, the entire wedding party, and then the guests may join in the dancing.
This is a rough guide to who traditionally dances with who, you can choose to ignore all, or parts of it as you wish, after all, it's your party, but you need to decide on this before the ceremony so you can notify the people that you want to join in, letting them know when they should join the dance, and who they should be dancing with. WJ

TOP NOTE
Tips on choosing your first dance music

• Ask your fiancé what song he considers to be ‘your song' and see whether you
  both agree, or are both thinking along the same lines.

• Choose a song that holds some special meaning to you as a couple, rather than
  your favourite all-time track. Songs that remind you of a special time in your
  relationship, or contain words that are of particular significance are most suitable
  for your first dance.

• If you don't have a favourite song, research popular first-dance songs on the
  Internet, in the library or among your friends. Consider using the same song your
  parents danced to at their wedding, or a song that has cultural, family or ethnic
  significance for you.

• Listen together to romantic, danceable songs with appropriate lyrics. Sexually
  suggestive lyrics are inappropriate for a wedding reception where there will be
  children present.

• If you are asking a band to play the song, decide whether you would prefer an
  instrumental or sung version. Remember that even if you use an instrumental
  version of the song, your guests may know the lyrics and hear them in their
  minds.

• Notify your DJ or band of your choice of song as soon as possible to give them
  plenty of time to practice.

• Ask the band whether you need to provide sheet music, and if so, where you
  should purchase it. Ask your DJ whether you need to provide a recording of the
  song.

• If you have been practicing to a certain recording of your song, be sure to make a
  copy for your band or DJ so that he or she understands exactly what type of
  arrangement and feeling you are expecting.

The same song may be played in many different ways and it's important that the
version they play is the same one you have been practicing
your moves to.