While it’s broadly encouraged to ‘dance like nobody’s watching’, you can be sure that as soon you step out onto the dance floor, all eyes will be focussed on you and your partner. Here, Melbourne Wedding & Bride provides an informative guide on learning how to dance, so you can put your best foot forward.

First Steps

Trying something new can sometimes be daunting, but more often than not it’s generally an exciting and rewarding experience, and the same can be said about learning how to dance.

The advantages of taking professional dance lessons before your wedding are plentiful. “[You’ll have] confidence when performing the traditional wedding dances, [it will] give you some time in the weeks leading up to the wedding to focus on you as a couple, [and you’ll be able to] find out if you like to freestyle a dance, or if you require a set routine,” Sutherland says. With benefits such as these, it’s no wonder couples are moonwalking their way to dance lessons.

Let’s Dance

Regardless of whether it’s a cooking, language or dance class, some people prefer to learn in a group dynamic, while others prefer to learn in a more private environment. Catering to your individual needs, EVE Dance offers a range of class sizes to ensure you have the best learning experience.

From private lessons to home visits, EVE Dance provides flexible class types to accommodate all confidence and comfort levels. “A private wedding lesson goes for approximately one hour and we go through the wedding dance song, identify the rhythm, and then determine if you’d like to set a basic routine, freestyle, or choreograph something more advanced,” Sutherland says. “A private class [is perfect for] wedding parties; [you can] organise the style of dance and work on basic rhythms and figures involved in [the routine].

“We also create tailored choreography [to suit all levels of ability], and for an additional cost we can also cut the music for your wedding dance, and even teach you how to walk and dance in heels.”

Finding Your Feet

With a wide range of classes available, it can be difficult to decide which one is right for you. With the help of a dedicated dance professional, you can rest assured you’ll find a dance style that suits you and your partner, even those of you who have two left feet.

Contrary to the Australian film of the same name, your wedding dance doesn’t have to be strictly ballroom – it can be whatever style feels right for you and your partner. “Due to the size of [wedding] dresses, and the idea that it’s meant to be a romantic dance, a slow waltz, rumba, or social rhythm tend to be good ballroom dance styles for [a couple’s] first dance,” Sutherland says. “However, the best [dance] style is one that suits the couple getting married and [one] that they’ll enjoy.”

While it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of organising the rest of your wedding, Sutherland recommends booking your classes in advance. It’s also essential that you set yourself enough time to learn the dance that you’ve chosen, however your dance instructor will be able to assist you with this. “For a simple freestyle routine, [we suggest booking] four weeks [in advance]. If you’re looking for a complicated choreographed routine, [then we recommend] 12 weeks,” she says.

It Takes Two To Tango

According to Sutherland, “lack of confidence and communication with [your partner can impact the ability to] understand what you both want in the dance.” To avoid stepping on each other’s toes, communicating with your partner is key to ensuring you both have an enjoyable and enriching experience.

Another challenge for couples learning how to dance is when one partner shows less enthusiasm than the other, or makes excuses to avoid turning up to lessons. While learning something new does take a bit of time, Sutherland stresses the importance of regular practice. “No dancer has started out being able to dance [straight away]; they have all been trained, and coordination is something that requires practice,” she says.

As the old saying goes, practice makes perfect. However, the footwear you practice in can make