Chances are, you’ve heard the buzz about choreographing your first dance at your wedding. Maybe you’ve even imagined how it might feel to have all eyes on you as you sway together to your song.
But is taking dance lessons for your wedding day worth it? In today’s heartfelt interview with Nova Ballroom, we dive into all your burning questions about wedding dance lessons. More importantly, we explore how these lessons can become a lifelong pastime to share with your partner – happily spilling over into your married lives together.
As partners in both dance and life, Stratton and Jonathan are the proud owners, professional Standard dancers, and instructors of Nova Ballroom. During our Q&A, they immediately put us at ease, breaking down the mental barriers around stepping onto a dance floor.
Their studio is a true haven of inclusivity with a passion for dance. Specializing in couple-focused wedding dance lessons, instructors will help you learn how to communicate and work together as a team to create the first dance you’ve always envisioned. As Stratton so beautifully puts it, “We notice couples connect over a profound understanding of their shared appreciation for beauty, intelligence, and strength.”
From Stratton…
Why do you recommend dance lessons for couples before their wedding?
No one wants to dance the way they did in middle school on their wedding day, but most couples don’t know where to begin. “Do we waltz? Do we take a salsa class? What if we want to learn to dance to a certain song?” These are all common questions and ones that only a dance professional can answer. It is our job to take the feeling of “two left feet” and turn it into a beautiful memory that will last a lifetime. Dancing as a couple is a skill you can keep through decades of married life together. No more three-minute-long awkward middle-school swaying – for couples or their guests!
How do you create a routine for couples wanting a choreographed first dance?
Each dance we create is as unique as the hundreds of couples we have served. When couples arrive, instructors observe how they interact and what moves best complement their body shapes, natural movements, and personalities. Our instructors have an incredible “mental database” of hundreds of moves for over 35 different styles of dance. They are skilled at applying this extensive dance knowledge to the particular couple.
Can you explain a range of different styles of first dance choreography?
Couples are invited to share their visions and preferences with our instructors. Have you seen a dance move on Instagram that you can’t wait to put into your first dance? We got you! Want a non-traditional dance to pair with your heavy metal first dance song? We have you covered! Looking for a classy and timeless dance to turn heads as you groove to Ed Sheeran? No problem! How about turning up the heat with Latin-inspired choreography? That’s our specialty.
Any advice for couples planning to choreograph their first dance?
If couples know they want a choreographed first dance, I’d encourage them to be sure they are on the same page about their vision for the dance. Be completely honest with the instructor about how you feel as you progress through lessons, whether toning something up or down or reigning moves back in to suit each partner’s comfort levels.
How can couples personalize their experience?
Dance should feel inclusive. Be honest about any cultural, religious, or personal preferences that an instructor needs to know to give you the best dance experience. Also, don’t be afraid to ask for what you truly want. If jamming out to a rock song during your first dance is your thing – we are here to make that dream a reality. All songs are first dance songs; there is no request too unusual for us to handle!
What advice would you give to a couple who might be nervous or have zero dance experience?
We encourage you to please tell your instructor that you’re feeling nervous. As instructors, we all remember how nerve-wracking it was to walk into a dance studio for the first time. We will never put you on the spot or embarrass you while you learn something completely new. Most couples don’t know how much respect we have for those who are willing to do something outside their comfort zone!
As many as 90% of our wedding clients have zero experience in a dance studio. Our job is to teach, and the couple’s job is to have fun, grant themselves (and their partners) a little patience, and laugh through the learning process.
How can dance lessons be inclusive for couples with mobility restrictions?
We fully support adaptive dancing in our studio and have experience working with a range of mobilities and physical circumstances. For example, we choreographed a mother-son dance for a mother who was wheelchair-bound due to chronic illness and adapted the Foxtrot basic to be danceable for them. It even included a beautiful turn and a sweet ending pose. I’ve never heard as many cheers for a mother-son dance as at the end of their song!
Do you have any extra tips or advice for couples considering dance lessons?
Prioritize finding an instructor with the credentials to give you the best dance experience. At Nova Ballroom, we are world-class professional dancers who train and compete all over the globe, bringing back to Pittsburgh the highest level of dance expertise. Even though many couples insist they only “want a few simple steps,” having a trained professional is essential to learning efficiently and correctly the first time. We have had more than a few couples attempt to learn online from “YouTube professionals” and end up frustrated or, worse, injured. Your day and your lifetime together is worth the investment!
How do couples feel after this experience?
Couples leave this experience feeling a deeper connection to their partner with the knowledge of a skill that they can use for the rest of their married lives together. Nothing beats dancing in the kitchen together. Even deeper, couples connect over a profound understanding of their shared appreciation for beauty, intelligence, and strength.
