Dance Lessons for Weddings: A Complete Beginner's Guide for Canadian Couples
The first dance is one of the top items on the long list of decisions to be made when planning a wedding. For most couples, this is the moment that everyone in the room is watching and can feel more nerve-wracking than the vows themselves. That’s why dance lessons for weddings have become a popular step in wedding prep across Canada, from small backyard celebrations in the Prairies to ballroom receptions in downtown Toronto.
I know the thought of taking your first dance class can be scary. You might be wondering what really goes on in a class. How long until you learn a dance? How much do classes cost? This guide is specifically for Canadian couples and answers all those questions to help you feel more prepared and less anxious about your first class.
What Are Dance Lessons for Weddings, Exactly?
Dance lessons for weddings offer couples the opportunity to learn their first wedding dance, as well as any parent dances, in private or semi-private settings. You won’t find classes like these at your typical community center. These dance classes are tailored to your song, your comfort level, and your wedding’s scheduling needs.
Most couples at Gurukul Dance Studio have no prior dance experience. It’s completely normal. A good dance instructor will not use the limited time you have before the wedding to teach you complex dance steps. Instead, they will design a dance routine using steps that you will realistically be able to learn.
How Wedding Dance Lessons Actually Work
This is a step-by-step explanation of the process:
- First, there is a consultation where you will discuss your song choice, the date of your wedding, your level of comfort with movement, and any special requests you may have (dips, spins, lifts, etc.). The consultant will also help gauge your level of dance experience to help plan the lessons accordingly.
- Next, a style will be chosen. Your instructor will make suggestions based on your song choice and the vibe of your wedding. They may suggest a waltz, a sway-and-turn routine, a foxtrot, or even a swing. You can find a list of all the dance styles we offer to help you decide what best suits your song. Many beginners are surprised at how many wedding dance styles there are that can be adapted for a first dance.
- Once the style has been chosen, the lessons will begin to teach you the steps to build the dance routine. The instructor will break the song up into smaller sections, so you won’t have to try to remember the entire song at once.
- It is essential that you practice the steps between lessons. Your instructor will give you practice tasks to do at home. These tasks will only take 10-15 minutes each and will be done a few times a week. Practicing this way is much more effective than doing a long practice session the day before your wedding.
- The goal of the last few lessons is to achieve the ability to perform the full dance routine as it was intended. This includes making any adjustments for the size of the reception space. Your instructor will help make sure both parties feel confident rather than just able to dance.
How Long Does It Take to Learn a Wedding Dance?
This is a very popular question, and the answer is usually ambiguous because it depends on the length of your song, the style you want, and how much time you have to practice. With that being said, this is a standard guide that most Canadian couples follow:
- 4 to 6 lessons: A simple routine for couples that want to look confident without heavily choreographed Choreography
- 8 to 10 lessons: A routine that includes transitions and different styles with a few additional details
- 12+ lessons: A routine that includes various details, transitions, and multiple style changes with lifts and dips.
Most couples in Canada book their wedding dance lessons two to three months in advance, by which time most couples have booked their venue and set their date. This gives the couples enough time to learn their dance without feeling rushed.
What Does It Cost?
In Canada, the price of wedding dance lessons depends on the city, the reputation of the studio, and the format of the lessons (private or group). Private lessons are more expensive per lesson than group lessons, but private lessons are worth the price because they are customized to your song and your level of skill, which is important to a lot of couples. Package deals, where you buy a certain number of lessons, are always less expensive per lesson than paying for each lesson individually.
If you are concerned about the cost of lessons, ask your studio about beginner wedding dance packages. A lot of studios, including Gurukul Dance Studio, sell packages that include a price for choreography, practice sessions, and a final rehearsal. To see our wedding dance packages and pricing, visit our website to see what is included in each package.
Do You Need Any Dance Experience?
This is the biggest misunderstanding about dance lessons for weddings. The majority of couples who come to us have never taken formal dance lessons, and that is who these programs are designed for.
Good dance instructors are trained to work with absolute beginners, and even with people who believe they “can’t dance.” The objective is not to transform you into a professional dancer. The objective is for you to be able to dance in a way that allows you to move in an informed way to be in time with your partner and to take away the stress of dancing so that you can enjoy the moment.
Tips for Canadian Couples Preparing for Their First Dance
- Schedule your lessons during the busy wedding season. Many studios book up quickly during the summer and early fall as these are the most popular months for weddings in Canada. Booking your lessons a few months in advance gives you a better chance of getting the time you want.
- Wear comfortable shoes to your lessons, but be sure to practice in your wedding dancing shoes, especially if you will be wearing heels.
- You should talk to your venue about the type of flooring and how much space you will have, as both can affect what types of dancing moves you will be able to do, like spins or dips.
- Let your wedding party know if you are doing a parent dance or a group number so they can also schedule lesson times.
- You should tell your instructor if a move makes you uncomfortable or worried about getting injured. A good instructor will change the dance so you won’t be doing a move that you can’t do.
Why Couples Choose Professional Instruction Over “Winging It”
Many couples believe that they can learn the dances they will perform at their wedding through online videos in the week leading up to their wedding. While some couples are able to pull this off, the majority of couples realize that having a dance instructor present is important. A dance instructor can bring more to the lesson than simply showing up. An Instructor can help with posture, timing, and lead and follow, which are all really hard to learn through video tutorials. There is also the confidence factor. If you have taken lessons and gotten feedback, you will have a totally different experience dancing than if you just learned through videos.
Final Thoughts
A less-than-perfect first dance is still a dance to remember. What makes the first dance special is if the couple is present and connected as opposed to being stiff and nervously looking down to see if they are about to make a wrong move. Wedding dance lessons help achieve this, as they provide the necessary structure and practice to help build confidence, regardless of your current skills.
No matter the type of dance you want to perform at your wedding, an unrehearsed first dance will definitely flop.
Are you ready to take your first steps toward your wedding dance? We provide a free first dance consultation at Gurukul Dance Studio. Let us create a dance number that reflects you as a couple.
Frequently Asked Questions
About 2-3 months before the wedding is when the majority of Canadian couples start their wedding dance lessons. This gives couples enough time to learn their dance without feeling rushed to perform it on their wedding day. It is possible to learn a simpler dance in less time if that is all you have, but it will not be as complex.
This is a very common situation, and yes, dance lessons can definitely still be taken. An instructor will focus on the less comfortable partner to help them feel supported and will not rush them to keep up.
It is helpful but not necessary to choose a song before booking lessons. Many couples book a consultation first and then decide on a song with the help of their instructor if they are having trouble choosing a song that fits their first dance at the wedding.
This should be brought up during your consultation. Your instructor will be able to modify your dance to fit the restrictions of your venue.
Generally, private lessons are better for wedding prep because your routine can be customized with your song, pace, and comfort level in mind. While basic confidence-building can be done in a group setting, most couples end up doing private lessons as their wedding day draws near. To figure out what works best for you, contact our team to discuss your situation.