When is the best time to start preparing for your first dance?
Assuming that your perfect wedding dance does not involve rocking side to side like at a high school prom (we’ve all outgrown this, right?)… Preparing for your first wedding dance typically requires time and practice.
The amount of time in advance of your wedding that you should allocate to learn your first dance depends on several factors, including your dance experience, the complexity of the dance, and your comfort level with dancing.
Dancing and Driving
Dancing is a lot like driving.
What do dancing and driving have in common?
Both are skills that get better over time with practice.
Moreover, these are the skills that are based on muscle memory. It means that the more your body repeats the same motion, the more it memorizes it and gets better at it.
For example, you only become a better driver as months and years go by.
The “cramming before an exam” strategy is not going to work whether you are learning to drive or dance. While your mind may remember the steps and the dance routine that you learned a week before your wedding, your body will not.
How Early to Start Taking Dance Lessons Before The Wedding?
What is the best time to start learning a first dance? To put it simply, the earlier the better.
Your wedding is next year? Start NOW.
Or maybe your wedding is in 3 years? Also, start NOW.
Your wedding is in 3-6 months? Why haven’t you started yet? NOW is about time!
So you get the idea…
The more time you have on your hands, the better you are going to get as you practice before the big day. And the more stress-free the whole wedding prep will be for you.
Besides, the closer to the wedding you get, the more last-minute stuff you’ll be dealing with. Trust us, we speak from experience!! So at least the wedding dance will not be one of those things (hopefully!).
Example of a Wedding Couple Starting Early to Prepare for Their First Dance
Check out what they said in the 5-star Google Review of Access Ballroom below!
Chris and Brigitta started to take dance lessons for fun at Access Ballroom with the purpose of learning a unique and personalized first dance routine closer to the event.
We would see them come to the studio before class, share wireless headphones with their first dance songs playing, and practice… It was easy to tell that they were connecting on a whole different level through dance. They were also polishing their teamwork skills that will be so important in the marriage, as well as letting their personalities shine on the dance floor.
Enjoy their performance at Access Ballroom’s party weeks before their wedding. And check out our YouTube channel to see the actual wedding video!
Pro Tips for Successful First Dance Prep
Remember, the key to a successful first dance is not just about learning the choreography or steps but also feeling comfortable and confident on the dance floor.
And time is one of the most important factors.
Here are some additional tips from our professional Dance Instructors Team:
Choose a Song Early
Decide on the song for your first dance well in advance so you can tailor your dance to the music. Check out this blog post to get pro tips on choosing the perfect song for your first dance. A Spotify Playlist is included!
Schedule Lessons
Book your dance lessons in advance and schedule them regularly to ensure progress.
Practice Regularly
Make time for practice sessions between lessons to reinforce what you’ve learned.
Record Your Progress
Record videos of your practice sessions to track your improvement and identify areas that need work.
Be Realistic
Choose a dance style and routine that matches your skill level and comfort zone and allow ENOUGH TIME to accomplish it. The best way to find out what would be realistic within the timeline you have is to simply ask a professional! Your Dance Instructor will be happy to help.
Wedding Timeline
It gets very hectic a couple of months before the wedding date. So make sure your schedule is on point. And don’t try to take all your classes in a matter of weeks or worse – days – before the wedding.
The Day/Week Before the Wedding
Have a final run-through of your dance to make sure everything is smooth and comfortable. But don’t overdo it, as you’ll want to be well-rested for your big day. If you can practice at the venue, it will definitely help.
Enjoy the Process
Preparing for your first dance should be a fun and memorable experience. Enjoy the time spent together practicing and bonding.
Final Thoughts
In summary, the ideal timeline for preparing for your first dance at a wedding depends on your dance experience and the complexity of the routine you want to perform. The more time you have beforehand, the more practice you’ll get.
Whether you want to just learn a few simple and elegant moves or put on a Dancing With The Stars show, starting early and gradually building your skills and confidence is key to making your first dance a special moment on your big day.
Remember that consistency is key when preparing for your first dance. Regular practice, even if it’s just for a short time each day, will help you feel more confident and relaxed on the dance floor. Additionally, taking dance lessons from a professional Dance Instructor can be immensely helpful in ensuring you have a memorable first dance at your wedding.
