Engaged couples spend years and often tens of thousands of dollars to plan the perfect
wedding with just the right venue, menu, band and clothes. Yet often the most celebrated
three minutes of the big bash– the bride and groom dance– is a mish mosh of awkwardness and
left feet – captured forever in embarrassing videos and photos. Not anymore! Now, in a new
2014 Spring/Summer wedding trend, couples are hiring their very own dance choreographer to
teach them to dance like the stars to a happily‐ever‐after.
Wedding Waltz or Marriage Mambo?
"When couples watch their wedding video, they want to look back with pride at their wedding
dance, not embarrassment because they were awkward or because they tripped on the gown,"
says Paul Millington, owner of a Fred Astaire Dance Studio, a franchised dance company with
studios throughout the country. "Now couples are hiring a highly skilled dance teacher to
choreograph all the right moves so they cascade across the dance floor like pros. It takes a lot of
rehearsal but it's a ton of fun and a great way to distress from planning a wedding! Plus, you'd
be surprised that the men have just as much fun as the women, even if they had to be dragged
here."
Dance Like the Stars At Your Wedding
The Pros at Fred Astaire Dance Studios created this list of 8 critical questions couples need to
ask BEFORE they choose a wedding song/dance.
1) What's the wedding date? – Most couples need two to three months of instruction and
practice so they know the dance automatically without thinking about it.
2) What dress will bride wear? – Is there a long train? What about shoes and high heels?
The couple should practice dancing in the wedding clothes so they learn to avoid
tripping hazards.
3) DJ or band? – With a DJ, the choreographers can make a special cut of the music that
makes it easier for a dance. Bands are trickier because performers often play their own
song renditions. Couples should practice dancing with the band so they know their
dance matches the band's version of the song.
4) What kind of dance? Fred Astaire Dance Studio pros say most couples pick out their
song right away, but they have no idea how to dance to it. Choreographers will help a
couple pick a dance that works with the song. Or if the couple has a dance style in mind,
choreographers can pick a song to match the dance.
5) How many guests and how big is the dance floor? Choreographers want to map out a
dance so the couple faces the main audience most of the time. They'll plan a dance
around the layout of the room, the space and the location of the guests.
6) Photographer or Videographer? – Once couples know the dance, they need to meet
with photographers and videographers so these pros know where to stand for the
perfect shot.
7) Announcement of the bride and groom? Fred Astaire dance pros recommend couples
dance when they first arrive so their guests can enjoy the dance and then move onto
food and conversation. Otherwise, guests are caught off guard, in the middle of their
meal.
8) How long is the dance? – Dance pros say the wedding dance song should be no longer
than a minute thirty to two minutes. This reduces the stress on the couple, particularly
the groom who may be making his dance debut before a crowd. Plus, after two
minutes, guests can get antsy and bored.
About Fred Astaire Dance Studios®
Co‐founded in 1947 by the legendary Fred Astaire, our studios set the standard of excellence in
dance instruction. Fred Astaire Dance Studios has Ballroom and Latin style dance lessons for all
ages and abilities in a fun, friendly atmosphere. Our unique method of instruction will allow you
to learn dances from the Foxtrot to Salsa faster and more easily than you could anywhere else.
Our mission is to enrich the lives of anyone and everyone who is associated with our company
and to become your community dance studio.
or you can contact us at (203)2677600 and visit www.fadssouthbury.com