The Best Wedding Dance Choreographers

Frequently Asked Questions

• Introduction

  If you're in the midst of wedding preparations, you're probably keenly aware of the stress that comes with organizing every aspect of the day's events. While it's a celebration, you also want to ensure everything runs as smoothly as possible. One planning consideration is the first dance. It's your debut as a couple, and aligning your signature song with a dance routine that's rehearsed and comfortable is a great way to kick off the reception's festivities.

  
  

  A wedding choreographer can help you choose the right steps, from entrance to finale. The dance professional works through the basic rhythmic routine of your chosen song, including waltzes, foxtrots, tangos, zydeco, and the country two-step. Depending on experience and available time, you may want to include a few special moves, such as spins and dips. Think of wedding dance lessons as a break from planning, and a fun date night with your partner.
  
  

• What does a wedding choreographer do?

  A wedding choreographer begins by determining the couple's level of dance experience. Working with beginners to experienced dancers, a choreographer helps choose music that has meaning to the couple. The wedding dance professional sets appropriate expectations when arranging a couple's dance routines, taking skill level, lesson availability, and wedding clothing, shoes, and space into consideration.
  

• Should you take dance lessons for your wedding?

  Your first dance is one of the most memorable events of your wedding day. Taking the time to learn a routine can help build long-lasting self-confidence and closeness with your partner. Photos and videos of the lessons and the day's special dance can become mementos you cherish with your spouse and share with family and friends.

• Should I choreograph my wedding dance?

  Wedding dance choreography should be considered another part of the planning process. Learning the moves to your favorite song can help you and your partner feel better prepared for the big event, especially if one or both of you are dance novices. It builds inner confidence, helps develop lifelong skills, and it can create a stronger bond between you.

• How much do wedding choreographers charge?

  While every wedding choreographer is different, you should plan on spending an average of $50 to $125 per private lesson. One way to help bring the cost down is to purchase a package plan of 10 to 20 lessons up front.
  

• How much are wedding dance lessons?

  Private wedding dance lessons usually focus on the couple's first dance and can cost between $50 and $125 per hour. Group dances for other wedding party members can be included as an add-on in a dance lesson package. Couples may save money by learning basic dance steps in group lessons that can range from $10 to $30 per couple.

• How many dance lessons do you need for a wedding?

  Wedding dance choreographers recommend a minimum of 10 private 45-minute to one-hour lessons to learn the basic routine. However, if you and your fiancée are new to dance, or you want to accomplish a more involved routine, you should plan on 15 to 20 lessons.

• Are wedding dance lessons worth it?

  With all of the preparations and schedules that accompany wedding planning, taking an hour or two out of each week to destress with your partner is a fantastic way to build in memorable date nights that are fun and reenergizing. You'll develop greater self-confidence, and you may even find that you want to continue dance lessons as a couple.
  

• Do you tip for dance lessons?

  It isn't necessary to tip your dance instructor. They're already charging a reasonable rate an don't require gratuities to help supplement their income. A thank you card after your wedding is a nice gesture. You may include a gift card for coffee or something similar if you feel the choreographer went above and beyond your expectations.

• How do you choreograph a wedding dance?

  While you may envision a Dancing with the Stars first dance routine that wows your audience, you might want to bring your expectations into a more realistic focus. Most importantly, choose a song that has meaning for and suits both of you. Learn the basics, allow for wedding clothing constraints, and keep it to two or three minutes.
  

• Which dance comes first at a wedding?

  The wedding party usually enters after the guests have taken their seats. They're introduced and remain standing, encircling the dance floor. The newlyweds' grand entrance may become part of the dance routine. They're the only couple on the dance floor, sharing their first dance. If the reception includes dinner, the newlyweds' dance is the first one after the meal.

• How long should a wedding first dance last?

  The first dance at your wedding should last between two and three minutes. You want it short enough to keep your guests engaged so they're ready to jump in and begin dancing.
  

• Does the bride dance with the groom\'s father?

  Following the newlyweds' dance, the couple and their parents dance. The bride dances with her father, and the groom dances with the bride's mother in a traditional wedding. The bride's parents then dance together, and the groom dances with his mother. This set is completed by the groom's parents dancing together.

• What is the best father-daughter wedding song dance?

  The best father-daughter wedding song dance is completely subjective. There may be a song that has particular significance to both of them. That said, some upbeat selections could include The Rolling Stones' "She's a Rainbow," Van Morrison's "Brown Eyed Girl," and "The Way You Look Tonight," by Frank Sinatra.

• What should I wear to a wedding dance lesson?

  While there are no hard and fast rules on wedding dance lesson attire, you'll want to wear or bring comfortable clothes to change into along with shoes that allow for easy sliding. Ask your instructor for recommendations prior to your first lesson if you're unsure.

• What dances are done at weddings?

  Before all of the guests are invited to take to the dance floor, there are four main dances that occur. The first is the newlywed dance, followed by the parents' dances. The anniversary dance and the money dance are last two traditional pieces.

• What is the best mother-son wedding dance song?

  As with father-daughter dance songs, those for mother and son dances are also chosen based on significance to each person. Some memorable options include "Beautiful Boy," by John Lennon, Josh Groban's "You Raise Me Up," and Lucas Graham's "Mama Said."