As a seasoned wedding dance teacher, I often find that my students have never had the pleasure of preparing and practicing for a dance, let alone finding comfort in dancing in front of their loved ones on their big day!
About 4 out of 5 of my students ask me this one simple but critical question in their first or second dance lesson:
“How are we are going to memorise all the dance?”
Impossible it may seem, but fear not… when there’s a will there’s a way.
From the nearly two decades of dancing and competing internationally I completely understand the worries and anxieties the almost newly-weds experience, and the following tips are what I consider to be the most important.
Your teacher must discuss with you the limitations and technique requirements of the type of dance chosen based on your selected wedding dance song.
Opt for a complex and convoluted song and expect a series of dance steps that even a veteran dancer might find troubles coping with.
You must therefore select a song that complements your personality and eventual ability to dance.
Although most teachers do an astounding job in teaching the couple in question their first dance, you should bear in mind that your teacher is not a miracle worker and can only do so much in the 10 – 15 lessons you attend.
Make sure that your dance tutor teaches both of you the dance in a sequence in order to reduce the risk of mixing up different parts of the routine.
I suggest breaking down the dance into small parts and to repeat as much as possible. With this tactic the couple will automatically feel that the dance is much easier to learn and remember.
Context, sound and atmospheric effects will enable the couple to automatically determine the upcoming routine steps. Non-verbal gestures are a key element in aiding the couple to memorise their wedding dance choreography through the use of queues.
Practice makes perfect – there’s really no better way of putting it!
I cannot emphasise enough that the key of putting on a seamless performance at your wedding reception is to practice as much as you possibly can.
What’s more is that when practicing in absence of your wedding dance teacher you and your partner may raise several points which could ultimately improve the final product.
These points should obviously then be discussed with your wedding dance tutor respectively.