So I attended a friend’s wedding last week. It was held on a beautiful beach attached to the Four Seasons Hotel. The band was a period group that played mainly 40’ and 50’s swing music. What a great time and I was very happy that I learned some years ago how to dance to swing music. To me the fun part of every wedding is the reception and at the reception the dance music. What better way to meet people not related to you and burn a few calories at the same time. With that being said I thought I would share this article with you and links to some New Hampshire dance studios. After all you don’t need to go to a wedding reception to go out and meet new people while dancing!

By: Carol Corbett

Ah, the first dance. You step onto the floor as man and wife, stepping in rhythm to the slow tune of a song that encapsulates your romance as friends and family watch adoringly, admiring your oneness and youthful glow as the groom spins you around and gracefully dips you for a long kiss. This is likely the scenario you’ve envisioned for many years, a kind of dream sequence that takes place on a soft cloud with cherubs strumming out the tune on gold plated instruments…but alas, too many a bride has this dream crushed swiftly as she realizes her fate is to shuffle in repeated circles and suffer bruising of her pedicured toes. Unless your mate is Fred Astaire, you’ll likely fall into this second category since most men don’t view dancing as an art form any more, and you may be no ballerina yourself, remember. But don’t despair, there is middle ground. Even those of us with two left feet can seek help and appear nimble on the dance floor for our moment of candlelit glory.

Here are some dance-planning tips:
1.    Start preparing 6-12 months ahead of time. Talk about which song you’ll sway to and the kind of dance you’d like to perform. You may need to switch song versions or have the DJ (or band) adjust the song’s speed to match your dance rhythm. Practice to the specific version that you’ll play that day.
2.    Seek expert advice. Private lessons are ideal for learning to dance together as a couple. You can learn not only exactly how to dance for your song, but great steps for dancing the night away to others as well. You might even think about group lessons if you want to save a little money and have the whole bridal party boogie down. If you’d like to do a tribute to Michael Jackson and have a Thriller re-creation, you’ll need many lessons and some already talented friends. Lessons are also great for the father/daughter and mother/son dances. If professional lessons are too much, or the groom is too shy, rent a dance lesson DVD from the video store or a local library and practice at home.
3.    Consider your wardrobe. If your wedding dress is a mermaid style (tight fitting through the legs) you won’t be able to take long steps. If you have an off-the-shoulder neckline, you may not be able to lift your arms for a spin. And if you have a strapless number, watch out that you don’t display too much on the dip. You needn’t change your dress, just your dance moves.
4.    Less is more in terms of song length and number of fancy moves. It’s a big day and you’ll be in the spotlight for all of it. If you and your man aren’t perfectly comfortable on the dance floor it’s likely to show. No one’s expecting a Dancing with the Stars moment so be yourselves and have fun with it.
5.    Mimic the day. Find out the size of the dance floor and practice accordingly so that you don’t fall off or feel cramped. The groom should practice in a jacket and dress shoes, while you wear a long skirt similar to the dress in style and your wedding shoes (this will help to break them in). Practice in front of a few friends to get you used to an audience.

If you’re like many gals, you’re not likely to have a guy who puts much stock into this crucial wedding moment. Try not to fight, but explain how much the first dance means to you and if he’s still not interested in preparing much in advance, stick to very basic moves that you’re sure you can both handle. Gracefully accomplishing simple steps will look much nicer than forced fancy steps or botched moves. A few spins around the kitchen can do wonders and nothing complements the music so much as a couple in love.

NH Dance Studios:
Dance Because, Hooksett www.dancebecause.com 601-917-8967
Portsmouth Ballroom Dance Studio, Portsmouth
Mystic Ballroom, Epping
Paper Moon Dance Center, Merrimack
Krystal Ballroom, Salem
Queen City Ballroom, Manchester