wedding dance

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Wedding Dance 101: 5 Tips for an AMAZING First Dance

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There are hundreds, if not thousands of details to account for when planning your wedding. Most couples have no idea where to begin when planning for their first dance, so we've got your backs with 5 simple tips to bring grace, comfort and ease to this special moment.

1) Have a plan.

Whether your plan is to: 1) Create a fully choreographed dance from start to finish or; 2) to just not have a plan at all, make sure you discuss the first dance with your fiance EARLY in the planning process. That way, you have time to address any fears or concerns about dancing in front of your friends and family; decide if you want to take dance lessons and seek out an instructor; choose a song that suits you; etc. Communication is key!

2) Choose a song that's totally you.

Put simply, the first dance serves as a metaphor for your relationship. So ask yourselves: what defines you as a couple? Choose a song that reflects that sentiment and make sure it's a song that you both enjoy! Are you romantic? Choose a song with sentimental lyrics. Are you silly and fun? Choose a song with more bounce and flair! Are you laid back? Choose a slow song that makes you want to sway. 

3) Keep it short and sweet.

Most songs are 3 minutes+, which is WAY too long for a first dance. But, not to worry! Whatever song you choose, have your DJ/band fade it out or trim it down for you. The perfect length for a first dance is 1-1.5 minutes.

4) Consider your attire.

Brides to be, if dancing at your wedding is important to you, we advise against 2 specific dress styles: the ballgown and the mermaid. The less fabric or the less restriction that you have, the more you can boogie without worrying about getting stepped on. If you've already committed to one of those styles, just make sure you get a minute to dance it out with your fiance before you get out on the dance floor so there are no surprises about how big of steps you can take, how close you can stand to one another, etc. Grooms to be, just be cautious of those awesome, trendy, slim fit suits...don't do the splits or anything crazy ;)

5) Perform what you practiced.

If you have practiced for your first dance, make sure you stick to the plan! Of course, sometimes anxiety can get in the way of executing your steps perfectly, but there's a difference between a couple of missteps here and there vs. throwing in an unplanned back-flip or dip. Just avoid any un-practiced moves that might land you face-first on the ground or make your fiance nervous.

 

If you'd like more Wedding Dance Tips, check out our YouTube Channel (coming soon), and stay tuned for more monthly Wedding Dance 101 Blogs! 

Love Springs Studios offers private dance lessons for couples getting ready for their wedding. Learn anything from just the basics to a fully choreographed dance. Check out Wedding Dance Page for more information or shoot us an email: rachael@lovespringsstudios.com to talk to a human!

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Top 5 Greatest Frank Sinatra First Dance Songs

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Feeling something classy for your first dance? Then Frank Sinatra is a great option! Here are five of his greatest songs that also work fabulously for a first dance. 

5) You Make Me Feel So Young

"You make me feel so young, You make me feel like spring has sprung, Every time I see you grin, I'm such a happy individual"

Excellent lyrics that speak to a loving, happy and fun relationship.

Tempo is laid-back, but the horns and energetic vocals keep this song lively and entertaining.

Dance style options: Swing, Foxtrot, Freestyle

If you want a first dance that is understated, but memorable, this is a great choice. 

4) The Best is Yet to Come

"Out of the tree of life, i just picked me a plum, You came along and everything started to hum, Still it's a real good bet, the best is yet to come"

A more jazzy feeling to this song gives off a sultry vibe, rather than an upbeat or fun sentiment.

Tempo is quite slow, but once agains, the horns add moments of pizzaz for exciting choreographed moments

Dance style options: Swing, Foxtrot, Freestyle

If you want a first dance that says "we're sexy, but we're classy" then this is the first dance song for you.

3) Fly Me to the Moon

"Fly me to the moon, Let me play among the stars, Let me see what spring is like, On a-Jupiter and Mars, In other words, hold my hand, In other words, baby, kiss me"

The lyrics are sentimental and sweet, and so is the melody. 

There are plenty of big moments and builds for choreographic elements, but it's easier to dance to this song than "The Best is Yet to Come." The tempo is moderate.

Dance style options: Swing, Foxtrot, Freestyle

If you want your first dance to have fun moments of flair, but not go over the top, this is a great song choice.

2) Nice N' Easy

"Let's take it nice and easy, It's gonna be so easy, For us to fall in love"

Romance and relaxation is what this song is all about! If you want to take your first dance nice n' easy, this really is the best song to keep it chill.

The composition is tasteful and sweet. Nothing over the top, nothing complex, just sweet, romantic, and classy.

Dance style options: Swing, Foxtrot, Freestyle

This is the best classy song to choose if you really want to keep it simple and slow, but not boring.

1) The Way You Look Tonight

"Some day, when I'm awfully low, When the world is cold, I will feel a glow just thinking of you, And the way you look tonight"

The quickest of the 5 Frankie songs, choose this one if you want to keep it light and fun!

This song doesn't have the same kind of "big moments" throughout like the others, making it easier to dance to, but less exciting for choreography.

Dance style options: Swing, Foxtrot, Freestyle

If you want your first dance song to be instantly recognizable and get your guests swaying, snapping, and singing along, then this is a great option for you.

 

Do you have any other favorite Frank Sinatra songs that would work for a first dance? If so, share in the comments below! Remember, it's best to choose a song that has the right lyrics (make sure it's not about stalkers or breakups), a moderate tempo (not too fast, not too slow), and a somewhat lively feeling+ so that you and your guests can get the party started immediately following!

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Nervous About Your First Dance? Then, Aim High & Shoot For the Moon

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a blog about aiming high in life, being kind to yourself, and open honesty with basic strangers.

Most couples who are planning a wedding have danced together at least once. Have you? If it was 100% awesome, you can stop reading here. 

But for a lot of couples, that experience left something to be desired...Maybe it was fun, but you felt kind of silly; maybe it was awkward, so you vowed to one another you'd never dance again; or maybe one of you would refuse to get on the dance floor, even if your life depended on it.

It seems unfair that we live in a culture that expects dancing greatness come your wedding night, but we're never actually taught how to dance, or even encouraged to dance. What's more, our culture often shames dancing, particularly for men (because it's a "girl thing"), and if you're not a great dancer by nature, then you're a wallflower by default. So, if the thought of taking dance lessons scares you, makes you uncomfortable, or doesn't sound appealing, just know that you are not alone. It's not you, it's the United States in the 21st century.

So, how do we get around such barriers? Your wedding is coming up, and unfair or not, you and your guests are expecting a first dance that's passable at minimum. Unfortunately, this is where a lot of couples default, and also where a lot of couples go wrong. "Passable" will not describe any other aspect of your wedding. And though I've seen a good number of passable first dances, I've never heard a bride and groom say that her dress will be "somewhat unflattering," that the food will be "mediocre at best," or that the venue they chose is "kinda ugly." Your wedding day is a day of absolute excellence and self expression. It's about being the best version of yourself for yourself and for the love of your life. It's about joining two families together, celebration, joy, and shared moments. Every moment of your wedding day should be special, beautiful, and totally "you." This is why, I #1), ask you to aim high, to not settle for "passable", and to expect more from yourselves when it comes to your first dance together as husband and wife. Life is all about opportunities, and here is a great opportunity to practice aiming high in life, and more specifically, aiming high in your relationship. Now, I don't mean to say that if you don't have a stellar first dance that you don't care about your relationship, because that's of course not the case. But what I am saying, is that this is just one more opportunity for you to shine together, so join hands, walk through this open door, and enjoy the journey!

It's important that once you've decided to aim high for your first dance, that you #2), are very kind to yourself through the learning process. If you've never danced before, or especially if you've had a negative experience with dance in the past, remember to be patient with yourself. Everyone can learn how to dance (trust me, I have seen it all!), it just takes everyone different amounts of time, focus, and practice. When I want to imagine how my couples feel, I often think about what it would feel like if I tried to learn how to play baseball. A) I'm afraid of balls coming towards me at high speeds, B) With my lack of depth perception, trying to swing a bat to hit a ball flying towards my face sounds like a couple of black eyes, and C) I've never been good at sports to begin with. So if I were to go out today and try to learn baseball, it would take A LOT and I mean A LOT of patience and self-love. My best advice to you is that while you're learning to dance with your sweetheart, just remember to laugh off the tough stuff, enjoy his or her company, and just take your time. 

And #3), I invite you to be open and honest with me as your dance instructor. When we first meet, I'll be a basic stranger to you, and you to me, but together we really can achieve your goals. It's my mission with every person I teach to make sure they're comfortable each step of the way. As your teacher, I'm here for you and with you, and there's nothing I want more than for you to succeed. If you're scared, tell me. If you're excited, tell me. If you hate my choreography, tell me. This process is about you and your journey as a couple, and if we keep that at the forefront of our learning process, it will shine through on your wedding day as well. The first dance is a symbol of your connection with the person you've chosen to spend your life with. Let it be shown as a beautiful connection, as a result of a concerted effort, founded in a loving practice. 

Take a moment to imagine yourself and the love of your life dancing together for the first time on your wedding night. What does it feel like? What does it look like? What is the story you want to tell and remember?