Attention Brides And Grooms -To-Be : Below are 9 helpful dance tips TO PREPARE YOU FOR YOUR WEDDING DANCING and to ensure your first dance as husband and wife will be a enjoyable event for you as well as please your wedding guests.

1. SELECT A ROMANTIC SONG - It is important that your song has a easy to hear and feel steady beat. The song will determine the dance you do. Most songs are Fox Trots (Slow dance).
However if you want to do something different - choose the dance first , Waltz, Tango, Rumba or Salsa, (or a combination of any two dances). Once you select the dance you wish to do, then select the song to fit that dance style. If you need help selecting music... ask a local dance instructor.

2. SELECT A SONG THAT IS NOT TOO LONG - A Song between Two to Three minutes long is best. Songs longer that that may get boring for your guests.

3. PRACTICE YOUR DANCE WITH CD OF SONG you select. When you practice put the CD on repeat. Once you get comfortable with the dance steps and timing to your first dance song, also practice with other songs and faster and slower tempos so you can dance to a variety of music tempos at your wedding -and after the wedding. This will also keep you from getting bored with your first dance song. Our "Wedding Day CD" offers a good selection of songs to practice with.

4. PRACTICE YOUR DANCING - Regular practice is the only way to get comfortable with the steps and with dancing together so it feels natural. This will also help you learn to lead and follow and look good when you dance. The more you do practice the better it feels!  Plan to practice.... at least three 20 minute sessions a week. Your goal is to feel that you are "dancing as one".

5. CONSIDER TAKING DANCE LESSONS - If you want your first dance to look really great take private dance lessons (5 to10 is a good average)..

6. WHAT SIZE IS YOUR DANCE FLOOR - Find out what size your reception dance floor is and try to practice your dance using the same approximate space at home.  If you do not have enough space to practice the full dance routine, practice one or two individual steps at a time.

7. PLAN HOW WILL DANCE START AND END - Will it be at the beginning of the reception or after dinner? How will you START and END your first dance?

  8. INFORM YOUR TEAM - Tell your Band , DJ and Photographer, when you plan to do your first dance. Also Check with your Band or DJ to be sure they play your first dance song at the tempo (music speed) that you practiced your dance with your song CD. To be sure of getting great pictures of your first dance, tell your photographer and Video person when you plan to start your first dance and if possible demonstrate which dance moves you'd like them to capture...especially important is the dip at the end of your dance.

9. PLAN FOR THE UNEXPECTED TO HAPPEN - No matter what happens during your first dance...like forgetting a step or twirl, just keep dancing, enjoy the thrill of this special time together and just have fun and enjoy your first dance!  Remember no one knows what your dance steps should be but you. Also ladies....no matter what last minute changes he makes....follow him anywhere!

    TO START
  General Song Selection & Dance Tips Pick A Song For Your First Dance  

1. Select a romantic song with a good easy to hear dance beat.  

2. Pick a song that keeps a consistent beat throughout the song.  

3. Select a song that is less than 3 minutes long. Two or two and a half minutes for your first dance is just right.  

4. Use a CD to practice your First Dance, put it on "repeat" and save a lot of shoe leather.  

5. Start your dance lessons at least 3 months before your wedding! This will give you enough time to plan, practice, and perfect you dance. It will also allow for unforeseen missed lessons and practice, and will reduce stress.  

6. Make your First Dance photographically interesting so that you will end your wedding day with Video and Still photo's you will be proud to show off to friends, family, and your children in years to come.  

7. Ask your dance teacher for some sexy moves dips, turns, and spins to get memorable and exciting photo's!  

8. Have a good idea of the size and shape your wedding reception dance floor will be so that you can practice and get used to dancing in that amount of space.  

9. Plan how and where you are going to start (enter), and end your dance.  

10. Advise you Band leader or DJ how and when you plan to start and end your First Dance. Also let your Photographers know.  

11. Plan what will happen when you end your dance. Will you invite everyone onto the dance floor or just your parents and/or grandparents?  

12. f you are taking dance lessons (or using a Video) you should plan to practice at least twice a week, a half hour or more each time. Practice is very important (especially for the groom) between dance lessons in order to really feel comfortable and be able to look and feel relaxed on your wedding night.  

13. Practice sometimes without the music, especially at the beginning stages, it will help you concentrate on perfecting your steps, and leading or following.  

14. Keeping time to the beat of the music is very important-feel the beat!  

15. Remember HE leads...SHE follows. (at least when your on the dance floor).  

16. The man keeps time and dances to the music...The Lady keeps in time with her partner.

  MEN...you are going to discover, that once your get over the initial fear and trauma of taking dance lessons, it can be a lot of fun! The best part is you will learn to LEAD.... (take control)...and your girl will not only enjoy it, she will actually let you lead (ON THE DANCE FLOOR)!  Remember if you don't lead... she will ! Also if you don't lead, she can't follow. Remember you are the captain of the ship while you are on the dance floor.

  Here are some tips that will help you and your DANCE PARTNER cooperate and become perfect partners on the dance floor and off.  

1. Lead her firmly but gently.  

2. Your arms are her guide on the dance floor, keep them firm. 80% of lead comes from your right hand.  

3. Look straight ahead (not at your feet), when dancing. Remember you are steering. Believe it or not your feet will work without your looking at them!  

4. Listen and keep time to the music. Try to pick a song that has an easy beat to hear. Listen to the song on your own , and if your are doing a dance routing try to visualize what step you are dancing at each part of the song.  

5. If you have trouble hearing the beat of the music ask your dance teacher or your partner to help you.  

6. Try to practice at least twice a week with your partner. The more you practice the more comfortable you will be...and look on your wedding night.  

7.  Don't dance on your toes, unless you are doing swing or Latin dances). Take each forward step like a comfortable walking step, with your heel hitting the floor first.  

8. Always move counter-clockwise around the dance floor.  

9. Become comfortable dancing the steps first, then smoothly combining all the steps and keeping time to the music. Your confidence and lead will improve the most after you are comfortable with the steps.  

*Remember this is a team effort, the cooperation and teamwork you developed on the dance floor while learning and practicing will serve as a foundation for cooperation and teamwork off the dance floor.  

10. Have Fun!  

1. Please Relax and let him lead ! (Practice by closing your eyes- as an exercise to FEEL his lead).  

2. You probably had to twist his arm a little to get him to agree to take lessons, so encourage him by telling him how well he is doing and how happy your are that he is doing this for you.  

3. Do not lean too heavily on his shoulder when dancing, and keep your left hand fingers together and flat on his shoulder blade, that will show off your ring in photos!  

4. Check to see if you can comfortably raise your arms in your wedding dress. If you can't you will not be able to do turns which require you to raise your arms over your head. Let your dance teacher know if this is a problem.  

5. Check the length of your wedding dress to be sure you can dance and move comfortably in it. You want to be sure its not to long , so that he won't step on it while dancing. Practice with him in a hoop or full slip to test the length of your dress.  

6. Ladies, if you are doing a planned dance routine don't get mentally locked into the routine. The most important thing is to relax and follow whatever steps he leads you into. As is life the most important thing to learn is cooperation and flexibility. Your a team now!  

7. Practice once or twice in your wedding reception dance shoes. you can cover them with cotton socks or nylons to avoid getting them scoffed or damaged.  

8. Ladies, always look diagonally to your right over his right shoulder), when dancing. This keeps you from blocking his view (he has to see where he's going). This is also important to get your face in the photo's. If you are looking directly at your partner the photographer will not be able to get a shot of your face, especially if your groom is taller than you.  

9. Never look down at your feet (or his) when you are dancing.  

10. Once you learn the steps.... relax .and follow your partner!  

11. Last but not least- Think Love....a kiss at the beginning and/or end of your First Dance is the perfect way to begin and end the dance!