Gotta Dance: A Guide to Dance Instruction

Your first dance as man and wife. Will it be the romantic start to a life of nights spent cheek to cheek, or a dreaded embarrassment to be gotten through as quickly as possible? According to Russell Adcock, a dance instructor with LA Dance Experience, just one lesson can make a world of difference as to how you approach dancing at your wedding.

For couples who are more Fred and Wilma than Fred and Ginger, the thought of stepping out in front of a crowd can be scary. Adcock says this is because from the proper way to hold your partner to the best way to finish, most people just don't know where to start. Lessons break down dancing into easy and familiar steps, making couples comfortable enough to truly enjoy taking a spin around the dance floor.

Strike Up The Band
Adcock recommends that a couple start dance lessons six months or more before the reception and take a mixture of group and private classes. A pair with this kind of instruction would not only wow their guests with a first dance number, but also learn dances like swing or salsa for the rest of the reception. However, at 10-15 dollars an hour for group classes and 50-70 dollars and hour for private instruction, some couples are wary of making this kind of commitment. Don't worry. Adcock says that in one private session, a couple can learn how to make an entrance, how to move around the floor, the dance step that matches their first dance music, and even a dip or a flourish to finish it all off.

Music
“We had two drummers playing African drums and a saxophonist. I hadn't planned to dance down the aisle, but the music just affected everyone,” Carlos recalls. “My best man started dancing as he went down the aisle and when it was my turn I danced, too. The whole thing was impromptu. I was just moved. The music lifted my spirits.“Music is an important and integral -- as well as “Traditional”-- part of most wedding ceremonies. Music lifts spirits, moves the body and soul, and brings people together, sometimes more than words do. Spend some time thinking about the kind of music you want to set the mood and create the ambiance for your wedding.

The “Traditional" times for music at a wedding are before the Processional (the “Prelude”), during the Processional and the Recessional, and after the ceremony (the “Postlude”). Most officiants are willing to incorporate music at other points, too -- after a reading, for instance, or during the lighting of a unity candle. Also consider choosing a hymn or a song that all the congregation can sing together in celebration of your vows.

1. You need to book your band or DJ at least 8-12 months ahead of time. Most bands cost between $300 to $750 per musician for four hours. DJs can cost between $250-$500 per hour.

2. There are many ways to find a great band or DJ: Ask photographers, site managers, and caterers for suggestions. Call your local musician's union, or check out entertainment "brokers," who manage and book bands, DJs and other performers. If you're on a budget, local music schools and community colleges are great places to search for a band.

3. Interview a few different acts. Find out if they are open to playing the songs you want them to, and learn what styles of music they love. If you want a certain genre, go straight to the source. No use hiring a classical vocalist to sing power pop. By the same token, if your wedding needs a mix of pop and jazz, classics and country, you'll need to find a band that has the chops for your eclectic requests.