How Long Does it Take to Prepare the Perfect First Wedding Dance?

I would venture to say that 80% of couples that want a beautiful first dance have no idea how much time they should dedicate to learning their first dance. How do I know? Because as a wedding dance coordinator at Dance FX Studios, I get asked that question a lot. This is a tricky question to answer because it really varies from couple to couple. There are a few basic guidelines that I recommend for each bride and groom, but there are definitely variables that come into consideration when mapping out your wedding dance lessons.

As a general rule of thumb, we suggest starting your wedding dance preparations around 6-9 months before your wedding day. This time frame can really allow you to invest enough focus and time on your dance while still letting you get all your other planning done. The last thing you want to do is stress about learning your first wedding dance while frantically piecing together the last minute elements of your day. In fact, your first wedding dance should be the least stressful part of your day, as far as we're concerned!

A few other things to consider when you're planning out time for your first dance:

Are you looking for something simple and sweet, or do you want to rock the house with a crazy choreographed routine?

Simpler dances can still take a while if you want it to look natural and smooth, but you definitely need to be prepared for a good chunk of time if you want a showy number. Those viral video wedding dances are awesome, but they can only get that way with some solid practice time with a trained professional.

How many songs do you want to dance to?

The more songs you want, the more time you'll need. This is especially true if you're looking to dance multiple styles of dance. Most songs require different styles of dance, like Country Two Step or Swing dance, so you'll need enough time to learn each dance.

Say you don't have 6 to 9 months to prepare. Can you still have an amazingly beautiful first dance?

Of course! A good wedding dance coordinator should be able to adjust the level of difficulty to the amount of time you have to dedicate. At Dance FX Studios, we have packages as small as 5 hours (for those wedding couples who only have a few days to prepare) and go from there. Whether you have a week or a year, we can work with your schedule to make the perfect dance happen.

Need more answers? If you live in the greater Phoenix area, come join us for a wedding dance consultation! You can meet with one of our incredible instructors who will guide you through the planning process. We help with everything from picking music to making sure the dance you're dreaming of is possible in your dress (bring pictures!). We can even help prepare you for the rest of the night with private social dance lessons. Make your wedding day perfect with a first wedding dance made just for you and then dance the night away!

Social Ballroom Dancing vs. Competitive Ballroom Dancing

Competitive Ballroom Dancing can be seen on shows like So You Think You Can Dance and movies like Silver Linings Playbook and Mad Hot Ballroom. Some of the dancers shown are extremely talented and compete very seriously. Others compete as a hobby and are not quite as intimidating at the more competitive dancers. Social Ballroom Dancing can be seen virtually anywhere. A bar, a wedding, a club, even in the streets of places like Madrid, Spain and Cuba! There is more variety and more room for personal touches in Social Ballroom Dancing. Dance FX Studios can prepare for any social dancing setting! In Mesa, Arizona, just off of the 101 on Guadalupe and Dobson Roads, we teach Social Ballroom Dancing and have prepared our students for Country Swing dancing at bars around the East Valley, taught the Argentine Tango to clients who want to dance with strangers abroad and choreographed some pretty exciting wedding dance routines. Social Ballroom Dancing is a useful, fun skill to have that you can take anywhere!

When Social Ballroom Dancing, there is less pressure on the dancer than there is in Competitive Ballroom Dancing. Both in lessons and out dancing in social settings, Social Ballroom Dancing is all about just having fun. You get to let loose, enjoying yourself and your partner's company. There is no pressure to win an award or to be the best dancer on the floor. Competitive Ballroom Dancing focuses on technicalities like poise, the hold or frame, posture, musicality and expression, timing, body alignment and shape, floor craft, foot and leg action, and presentation. Phew! With Social Ballroom Dancing, there are only two measures of success: no one gets hurt and everyone is smiling! Sounds like a better, less stressful set of standards, does it not?

Between the two types of dancing, Social Ballroom Dancing is arguably less expensive. Social Ballroom Dance lessons and outings cost less than Competitive lessons, dance gear, and competition expenses when you add it all up. There are travel expenses, costumes, dance shoes, competition entrance fees and more involved with Competitive Ballroom Dancing. With Social Ballroom Dancing, social outings like bars and clubs might have a cover and you might spend money on a few drinks (or not!), but costumes and multiple pairs of dance shoes are not necessary. Plus, with our great deals on lessons like our Introductory Offer and  Valentine's Day specials, you can learn to dance at a bargain!

The world of Competitive Ballroom Dancing is remarkable, but we love sharing Social Ballroom Dancing skills with our students. With social dance skills, you can go anywhere and dance your heart out! You don't need a ballroom floor or a set of judges to dance the night away (though dancing on a ballroom floor does make dancing easier!). At Dance FX Studios, we are confident we can show you how fun and rewarding Social Ballroom Dancing is in just one lesson! Come learn to dance and get ready to groove wherever your two feet take you!