SOME FOLK MIGHT think that the bride gets the best of both worlds... Most of the admiration and attention directed is your way, yet you have no daunting tasks like speeches to worry about! But if you have two left feet then the first dance might cause you some sleepless nights...
Drop the pressure
With all eyes on you and your favourite tune blasting out, it would be understandable if you started feeling the pressure. After the wedding, many couples regret not planning the moment more carefully. Claire, a Scottish bride who married in London last year, says: "I kind of wish we'd practised our first dance a bit more, but we just never seemed to get round to it - in the end we only had one quick whirl round the living room, and that was after a good few pints!"
Fancy footwork
Dance lessons, whether taken privately or in a group setting, can do wonders for your confidence, not to mention your footwork. You've seen how good those celeb types get on 'Strictly Come Dancing' - and the odds are pretty long on you turning out to be the Kate Garraway type. Apart from the obvious benefits, dance lessons are great fun and a good distraction from the more mundane side of wedding planning. Dance teacher Alan Dee, of Dee's Dancing, says that when planning the first dance the bride should remember to take her dress into account; if it's fairly voluminous, certain dances (for example the tango) could be tricky! He says that traditionally, the modern slow waltz, social foxtrot and quickstep are the most popular first dances: "They can be danced with simple steps and are perfect for people who don't have a lot of time to spend learning. Or if you do have time, they can be taught with more structure to give a more impressive display."
Freestyling
If you're not too keen on the ballroom style, you could learn one of the easier Latin American dances instead, such as the cha cha cha or mambo. "You can learn a simple routine for either of these, or something more elaborate," Alan says. "The salsa, jive, samba and rumba are more flamboyant examples of the Latin style - again if the bride has a long wedding dress they could prove difficult." Of course, there's no reason why you shouldn't go freestyle, or even choose a ceilidh number. But no matter which dance you plump for, remember the golden rule on the night - whatever happens, keep smiling!
Hints and tips
- Prices vary and also depend on the type of classes you go for - group or individual
- Try not to be too nervous about your first dance, just go with it
- Traditionally the happy couple would do the waltz or foxtrot as the first dance
- Ideally, lessons should be taken with a professionally qualified teacher
- The dancing order usually goes like this on the day: bride and groom; parents join in, as does the best man, who dances with the chief bridesmaid; any other bridesmaids dance with the ushers
- Don't worry if you or your partner has two left feet - good teachers say that if you can count they can teach you to dance
- If you are getting lessons, why not keep your newfound skills quiet and wow your guests on the day?
Got a planning question? Get help from other brides-to-be at the SWD Forum... CLICK HERE!
