Wedding Dance Lessons in the Bay Area

Wedding Dance FAQ

Why should I take wedding dance lessons?

Having a planned dance is the easiest way to make your wedding special. How many weddings have you been to where everyone awkwardly stares at the lovely couple swaying back and forth for 4 minutes? Taking wedding dance lessons gives you the opportunity to create a special moment at your reception that you’ll remember forever.

Not only will you learn a wedding dance, but you’ll actually learn how to dance together. It truly is one of the best gifts you can give each other on your special day. Instead of being at the bar, you’ll be on the floor enjoying the countless weddings you’ll attend in the future.

Do I need choreography or what are my options?

Generally, there are three ways couples choose to structure their wedding dance:

Choreography

A set of planned steps. Choreography can be as simple or flashy as you’d like. It’s a great way to take the stress off of learning a dance when you know what comes next. Having choreography can give you the repetition and muscle memory much faster.

Lead and Follow:

An impromptu method where the leader gives signals of what they want to do next and the follower responds. Lead and follow is a great way to learn to social dance. You’ll learn the different signals and won’t have to worry if you miss a step in your routine. Keep in mind, it will require a little more patience with your partner as you get comfortable with communicating these signals.

Combination of Both:

A combination of both choreography and lead and follow means that certain parts of the dance are specific steps and other sections are impromptu lead and follow.

Your instructor will be able to recommend what is best for you based on how you learn, your timeline, as well as the look and feel you’d like for your dance.

What should I expect on my first wedding dance lesson?

After answering a few questions about your venue, dress, and the look and feel you’d like to have, your instructor will guide you through a few basics of dancing. You’ll already start learning parts of your wedding dance on your very first lesson and leave with a plan of action between now and the wedding.

Do I have to decide on a song before my first lesson?

Absolutely not. If you haven’t decided a song, your instructor will show you a few basic steps that go to any style of music. The biggest hurdle in learning to dance for a wedding is getting the basics down. Once you do decide on a song, they’ll help you personalize it to the music.

How long should my wedding dance be?

We recommend a wedding dance should be around 1 min 30 seconds- 2 minutes (maximum). While that might seem short, it’s actually quite a bit of time, and quite a bit of steps and/or choreography to learn and remember. Even those fancy routines on Dancing With the Stars typically last anywhere from 1:15-1:40.

If you’re doing more than one song for your first dance, the time can be longer and your instructor will recommend accordingly.

Can you edit my music for my first dance?

Yes! That is actually a service included with your wedding dance lessons. Since we help with the planning of your dance, it would only make sense that we cut the song for you as well.

Whether you just want a simple fade out or a total mash-up, we can help take one more thing off of your to-do list.

What type of dances do you teach for wedding dances?

Whether you want an elegant waltz, a romantic rumba, or a fun swing, we can do it all. Our certified instructors are highly trained in over 30 styles of dances that we offer at Arthur Murray. We are also very experienced at creating fun wedding mash-ups. So, if you want to start out slow and break out into some fun side-by-side moves, we’ve got you covered.

How soon should I come in before the wedding?

The sooner the better. Planning a wedding can be very stressful and quite costly. Coming in early allows you to enjoy learning to dance together without a tight deadline. It gives you more time, in case you need it, and gives you plenty of time to practice. Learning to dance together should be a fun part of getting married.

How often should I come in for my wedding dance lessons leading up to the wedding?

Your instructor will make individual recommendations based on the complexity of your dance, how quickly you learn, and your timeline. But, the most important thing to remember is that consistency is key. Learning to dance is a skill, and with any skill, it takes small amounts of consistent repetition.

While some couples do wedding bootcamps, most couples come in once or twice a week for private wedding dance lessons leading up to their wedding.

How much does it cost to learn a wedding dance?

That completely depends on you! The more complex a dance, the more time it takes to learn. If you want something simple, it might only take a handful of lessons. If you want something a little flashy, that takes a little longer. Lastly, if you want a full-on YouTube sensation, that can take several months up to a year.

It all depends on how fast you learn, how consistent you are with your private lessons, and the complexity of your dance. Our instructors are great at recommending a plan on your very first lesson.

Be assured, we have wedding dance programs for any budget.

Looking to start your wedding dance? Your first class is only $100!

What shoes should I wear for my wedding dance lessons?

For the first couple of lessons, we recommend wearing the shoes you are most comfortable in. That way, you can focus solely on getting the steps down and not worried about getting them dirty. As it gets closer to the wedding, you'll definitely want to bring your wedding shoes to practice in. You'll be 100% comfortable on the big day and have no unwanted surprises.

How do I choose a song for my first dance?

Choosing a song for your first dance is entirely personal. There is no right or wrong way.

Questions to ask yourself when choosing a song: Was there a song that you first danced to as a couple? Is there a special memory that you had together featuring a special song or a song that reminds you of that time? Is there a song that’s lyrics are everything you want to say to your future spouse?

While there are trending wedding songs from year to year, the biggest question to ask yourself is “Do I like it?” Your first dance together is something you’ll always remember. Make it to something you love!