wedding dance choreography. Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners on how to create wedding dance choreography
All you need to know is to create your wedding dance choreography.
wedding dance choreography is an exciting milestone, and dancing, especially a choreographed first dance, is an inevitable part of the celebration. One of the biggest fears in life is a public performance, and dancing your first dance in front of your guests can be daunting. But it doesn’t have to be. Here are three steps to make your wedding dance choreography process easy and fun, especially if you learn to dance through step-by-step lessons. Below you will find step by step guide created by the highest-rated wedding dance studio in NYC.
Step 1: Picking the Right Music for your wedding dance choreography
When choosing a song for your wedding dance choreography, consider one that holds special meaning for you and your fiance, and also think about how it fits as your first dance song. It could be a song you both love, one you first heard together at a significant event, or simply a tune you enjoy dancing to on your wedding day, whether you learned it at a studio or in the comfort of your home. Here are a few popular songs in 2024 that you might consider: Suggested by the best in the field.
- Perfect by Ed Sheeran
- All of Me by John Legend is a popular first dance song.
- A Thousand Years by Christina Perri is a popular choice for a first wedding dance, often featured in wedding dance programs.
- Love on Top by Beyonc is another great option for your first wedding dance.
- Marry Me by Train
Step 2: Determining the Type of Dance for your wedding dance choreography
Every song has three basic components:
- Rhythm is crucial for your wedding’s first dance. The beat that makes us move together during the wedding’s first dance.
- Melody: The element that evokes emotion.
- Lyrics: The words that keep us present.
Focus on the rhythm or the beat, essential elements for a smooth wedding first dance choreography. Try clapping along with the music and counting. Most songs are in 4/4 time, meaning you can count four claps over and over again. This means the most basic dance you can do is the American Rumba or a box step, both of which you can learn in wedding dance lessons. Less often, songs are in 3/4 time, where you count three claps repeatedly, which means a waltz, also using a box step, is suitable. Ballroom waltz lessons can help you master this. Look at the image below as a reference or reach out to the highest-rated wedding dance studio around you for help!
Step 3: Choreographing Your Dance
Treat your dance like a story. Every dance, like a story, has an introduction, plot, and resolution or climax. It is recommended that the dance is between 2:00 and 3:00 minutes long. Less than that is too short, and more than 3:00 is too long though this is a guideline, not a rule.
Introduction
The introduction is ideally the first 30 seconds of the song before you hear the vocals, setting the stage for your wedding’s first dance. Approach this as an acting segment. Start by walking towards each other from opposite sides of the dance floor. When you meet in the middle, the gentleman can go down on one knee and ask for the lady’s hand. She gracefully accepts by placing her hand on his, at which point he kisses her hand and they engage in a cuddle or frame, much like a ballroom pose.
Plot
From 30 seconds to about 2:00/2:30 minutes is the majority of your dance. Plan your wedding’s first dance song accordingly. Refer to Step 2 of this guide. You will be dancing the waltz basic or American Rumba basic with perhaps a turn or two.
Resolution
From 2:30 to 3:00 minutes, match this section with the climax of the song for better impact. This is where you can execute a dip or a lift. It is highly recommended to end the dance with a passionate kiss. This signals to the bandleader or DJ to fade the song or invite everyone to join you on the dance floor.
Conclusion
Learning how to dance is a simple but time-consuming task. While this guide provides a basic framework. Seeking professional help or enrolling in wedding first dance lessons can be extremely beneficial. Working with local professionals Wedding dance lessons can save you time and frustration and boost your confidence, ensuring your first dance is a highlight of your wedding. See you on the dance floor!
Author: Andrey Stanev
Bulgarian National Dance Champion turned NYC’s top-rated instructor.
Founder of Ballroom Dance in NYC, crafting bespoke wedding choreographies.
Known for stress-free, enjoyable teaching of all dance styles and skill levels.
