All Your Wedding Choreography Questions Answered
If you've arrived here, chances are you're planning for the big day! And we cannot be more excited for you! We know you have a lot to think about and plan, so to make your life a little easier, we've got all the answers to your pressing questions about wedding dance choreography.
To help us out, we've solicited help from professional dance instructor and choreographer, Sanda Lungu. Sanda has over 20 years of professional ballet, ballroom, and contemporary dance experience. She owns SouL Dance Studio in Sarasota, Tampa, and Lakewood Ranch areas.
Let's dive in and break a leg!
Are Dance Lessons Worth It For a Wedding?
Hiring a choreographer for the first dance is far and away the best decision you can make to build confidence and alleviate your fears of dancing in front of a crowd. It's one of many reasons we discuss in our 8 Reasons to Hire a Wedding Choreographer.
How Many Lessons Do You Need for the First Dance?
On average, most first dance choreography packages last a minimum of 10 lessons depending on the complexity of the dance and the goals of the dancers. This gives you enough time to not only learn and become comfortable with the basics but also to add an extra layer of flair to your dance.
However, Lungu says planning ahead is super important. You don’t want to wait until the last minute.
"I can't over-emphasize the importance of pre-planning for dance lessons," Lungu continues. "I recommend at least two months of lessons before the wedding day and a minimum of 10 lessons, or as many as you want! This way, you’ll feel confident with the routine!"
Should I Choreograph a Wedding Dance with Mom, Dad, Brother?
You're probably thinking, "Surely not with brother?" But, hey, why not? Maybe it's one last chance to step on his toes. In all seriousness, family and parent dances are super popular at weddings.
It's a great way to bring everyone together for a fun night of dancing each week leading up to the wedding. Additionally, it adds extra excitement to the reception. "From what I've witnessed, the more family and friends who join the choreography experience, the more smiles you will see at your reception," says Lungu. "I guarantee it."
What Is the Proper Etiquette for Wedding Dances?
Technically, it’s your big day, so you can do what you want. However, if you desire a more traditional approach at the reception, here’s an unofficial schedule of events:
- The bride and groom share the very first dance, enjoying their newly minted nuptials.
- The father dances with the bride as a symbol that he is now second to her groom. (The groom may also share a dance with the bride’s mother during this dance.)
- The bride’s mother and father dance together, and the groom’s parents dance together.
- Other important couples like grandparents may want to share in an “anniversary” style dance, or the groom may dance with his mother.
- Wedding party members are invited to dance with the groom or bride or each other.
- It’s a free-for-all as everyone is invited to the floor to dance the night away!
Do You Need Previous Dance Experience for a First Dance Choreography Lesson?
"Absolutely not," says Lungu. "Most of our choreography lessons are taken by complete beginners with two left feet! The process of learning a new dance, especially in a choreographed setting, is painless and fun."
Lungu adds that you should expect a non-judgmental yet focused session to get the most out of your lessons. A good instructor will break everything down into easily absorbable bits of information and then turn that into practice. Here's what you should expect as a beginner:
What Does a Wedding Choreographer Do?
- A one-on-one consult with a comprehensive plan leading to the big day
- Wedding dance song selection and editing
- Multiple dance styles to choose from (Tango, Waltz, Salsa, Rumba, etc.)
- Basic-advanced steps, turns, and embellishments depending on experience or time frame
- Lead-in choreography
- Dances tailored to the size of the venue's dance floor (dancing area)
- Father-daughter dances
- Mother-son dances
- Bridesmaids and groomsmen choreography
- Professional dancer cameo appearances
What Makes a Good Wedding Dance?
What makes a good wedding dance is a reflection of who you are as a couple and playing to your strengths. This can range from a cute slow dance to an elegant waltz or anything outside the norm depending on how quirky and fun you want to get.
Stay true to yourself and let your choreographer compliment your personality.
When Sanda choreographs for couples, one of the first things she enjoys is getting to know them. This helps her paint the picture of your personalities, styles, and goals for the dance. Then, when put together, here are her 8 elements for a successful wedding dance:
- Personalization: A great wedding dance is tailored to the couple's ideas, preferences, and the overall theme of the wedding.
- Song Choice: The choice of the wedding song sets the tone for the dance. Couples often choose a song that holds significance in their relationship.
- Smooth Transitions: The dance should flow effortlessly, showcasing a well-rehearsed routine without awkward pauses or abrupt changes.
- Connection and Chemistry: Non-verbal communication, eye contact, and shared smiles convey love and joy and captivate the audience.
- Appropriate Choreography: It's important to strike a balance between showcasing impressive moves and ensuring that both partners feel confident executing the routine.
- Practice and Timing: Regular rehearsals ensure that the couple is comfortable with the choreography, leading to a polished performance.
- Surprise Elements: This could include unexpected moves, a change in music tempo, or a surprise appearance by the bridal party to add excitement to the dance.
- Captivating Entrance and Exit: Creative and well-coordinated entry and exit moments leave a lasting impression on the audience.
To help illustrate these points, Sanda shares a choreographed piece from one of her recent newlyweds’ first dance. In the video, you can see the location and theme, surprise element of pyrotechnics, and other captivating aspects to the dance.
How Much Does a Wedding Choreographer Cost?
Perhaps the biggest question isn't just the song or the theme, but how does hiring a wedding choreographer fit into your ever-growing wedding budget? Have no worries, hiring a dance instructor for your big day can be surprisingly affordable.
According to Lungu, prices typically range anywhere from $95/hour to $135/hour depending on the quality and experience of the instructor and the service you desire. "Expect a basic dance with song selection on the low end, or a comprehensive lead-in, more advanced moves to wow the crowd, and a theme-based choreography on the high end," Lungu says.
What Is the Best Wedding Dance Style?
There is no right or wrong answer to this, according to Sanda who has been choreographing dances for 7+ years. For example, one couple may prefer a lively Latin dance like Rumba or Salsa, while another couple connects better with an elegant Waltz or Tango.
“Before your initial consultation with a choreographer, go on YouTube and find a style that resonates with both of you. Then, when you come in, we can discuss your goals, experience, and even try a handful of dance styles on the first visit.”
While some dance instructors focus on only a few dance styles, Lungu believes that experience in many genres is important. Here is an extensive list of dances you could expect to learn from a choreographer:
How Long Should a First Dance Be?
Most dance routines, including the first dance at weddings, last from 90 seconds on the short end to 3 minutes on the long end. Sanda recommends somewhere in-between, with a sweet spot of about 2 minutes.
“The longer you go for a first dance, the more choreography you’ll have to remember, and the more lessons you’ll need,” Lungu says. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, but it can add pressure on you for the big day.
“It’s not that hard to edit popular songs so that you get just the right amount of choreographed dancing to the best parts of the song,” adds Lungu. “That’s all part of the services that choreographers should provide for you.”
Which First Dance Song Should You Choose?
That’s a fantastic question, and it all depends on your musical preference, what you and your partner connect with, and what style of dance you want to perform. Like Hip Hop? Love classical music? Enjoy a romantic pop song? It's all choreographable.
Most couples already have a song in mind. If not, a good dance choreographer like Sanda will run through a list of songs that reflect ideas you provide in the initial consult. Together, you’ll experience the types of dances you can do with each song.
The rest is all about creating the routine and editing the song to efficiently fit the dance. Then practice, practice, practice!
How Can I Dance in My Wedding Dress?
We’re so glad you asked. Here are several tips on how to dance in your wedding dress.
- Practice your dance moves during dress fittings to ensure comfort and identify any adjustments needed.
- Dance with a slight offset to your partner so that you aren’t toe-to-toe.
- If your dress has a train, consider bustling it to prevent tripping while dancing.
- Use a dance hook or hold your train in one hand while dancing to avoid tripping.
- During dance rehearsals, practice with a similar dress and shoes you plan to wear on the big day.
- Choose a dance style that complements your dress; for example, flowing and romantic movements for a ball gown.
With a bit of preparation and coordination, you’ll have no issues dancing with elegance and confidence, creating beautiful memories in your wedding dress.
Need More Answers for Your First Dance Questions?
If you have more questions or concerns, feel free to give us a call at (941) 330-4142 or write us an email at sl.danceworld@gmail.com. We’d love to discuss your choreography needs and help you create a lasting memory for your wedding day!
