The First Dance Demystified!

Being a Denver wedding planner and having been a professional ballroom dancer, many of our wedding couples have many questions regarding their first dance.  We are here to help answer those questions before you step foot on the dance floor.

How long is it going to take to learn a dance?

The answer to this question lies completely on you and your fiance.

Here are a few questions you want to discuss together before going for your first lesson:

1) What style of dance do you want to do?

You don’t have to get too specific with this answer, just have an idea on if you want to dance a ballroom style dance, which is partner dancing (for example a Foxtrot, Rumba, Tango, Country Waltz, Argentine Tango, etc.), or do you want something more freestyle with the two of you doing movement along side each other (typically a jazz, hip-hop, or contemporary style)?

If you already have a song picked out, this will give direction to the style of dance (just ask your instructor).

2) How good do you want to be?

Do you want to have basic knowledge of  a couple of movements so you’re not doing the old high school sway? Or do you want a more professional grade dance with lots of movement around the floor?

For most couples learning a new dance style will take a month or more, regardless of whether you are looking to take your dancing a step above the ‘sway’ or if you want your first dance to be a highlight of the evening. Remember, planning a wedding can be stressful, add trying to learn a dance (with someone) in 4 hours right before the big day may not turn out the way you’d like. Give yourselves time to learn and perfect your moment first dance. I would recommend planning at least 3 months before the wedding so that you are prepared and have fun doing it.

3) How long should the dance be?

Trust me- dancing to the entire song at your wedding will seem like an eternity, so what I suggest is  to keep it anywhere between 1 and 2 minutes.  A few ways to end the dance in the middle of the song is either fade the music out (usually after the chorus), cut the music, or have your DJ/Band invite guests to join you on the dance floor.

4) How much is it going to cost?

This question depends on how good you want to be as well as  how much time you’re both willing to put in.  If you and your fiance are quick learners and you’ve decided to do this romantic and sensual Rumba routine, you’re going to need more lessons than if you just wanted 3  basic moves.

Typically, prices in the Denver area are widely spread out, you’re looking at about $60 – $125 /hr, depending on the studio. Independently owned studios generally have lower prices than franchise studios.

Learning to perfect a couple of moves will take about 4 lessons or cost a total of $240-$500 (depending on the studio).  I would guesstimate your romantic, sensual Rumba routine would take about 10 – 15 lessons, which can cost anywhere between $600 – $1,875.  Yes, it is an investment

How do I SAVE Money on the First Dance?

1)  Practice outside of the studio.

Practice makes perfect and it helps maximize the value of your money spent on your lessons. You’ll be able to learn more material or spend more time on making your movements look fluid when in a lesson, rather than relearning what you learned the previous lesson.

2) Sign up for Group Lessons.

Group lessons usually cost $10-15 an hour, so find the day and time where there is a group lesson in your style of dance, and go to it.

3) Contact us.

We have two ballroom dancers on staff who would be happy to help you learn your first dance.  And since we are not affiliated with a studio, we charge less per hour.

4) Bonus:  If you purchase one of our wedding planning packages, there is a further discount on the entire dance lesson package.

We hoped this helped. Please let us know if you have any further questions and we would be happy to answer them for you.

Storytellers Events is an elite member of Trulife studios. For more information about them visit their website at www.storytellersevents.com

A special thank you to Selah Photography, JM Photography, and  Jenna Walker Photography for the photos on these pages.  You captured our wedding couples beautifully.