
8 Other Key Items on your Wedding Dance Checklist – Part 2
Alright! Classes have started and the big day seems ever nearer. Everything’s a whirlwind and there’s a need to get through this storm in one piece!
Part 2 of this wedding dance checklist ensures that we’ve got all grounds covered before setting the dance floor ablaze with your love on the big day!
For every one class taken, there should be three practices
8 Other Key Items on your Wedding Dance Checklist – Part 2
1. Record your classes
- With each other: This gives you an opportunity to recap the steps as they are taught
- With the instructor: In the steps of both the lead and the follow, so that you can always refer to the choreography designed
- Your recording should capture and consider the eight key elements:
- Music
- Timing
- Footwork
- Hands
- Posture
- Expressions
- Body lines and shapes (The overall picture)
- Outfit (Clothes, footwear, accessories make-up and hair)
2. Plan your schedule
- Your classes: Book your instructor’s schedule early so that they are able to make time for you
- Your couple practices: Block each other’s calendar and ensure that you have at least three practices before you meet the instructor
- Your solo practice: Make time to practice alone at least once or twice before coming together so that you give yourself chance to revisit and recap your steps before matching them with that of your partner
- Rehearsals
- The full-dress rehearsal should only happen when you have your full outfit and footwear
- The final rehearsal if you require one before you dance the official wedding dance
3. Practice, Practice, Practice
- Practice makes perfect so that your mind can focus on the other details such as expressions and engaging your guests while your body continues to execute the routine
- Lead and Follow At any one point of time, there should only be one lead and one follow, it’s good to practice your lead and follow incase one of you forgets the steps or there is a need to adjust the routine due to unforeseen circumstances (such as slipper floor, last minute dance floor size change or your guest or camera person that got too close)
- Contingency and Recovery Steps We are only human and there are chances where either one or both of the couple forgets the routine, thus, it’s important to establish “landmarks” within the choreography to recovery back into the dance and finale
4. Review your practices
- With each other after every practice session: Do give constructive inputs towards improving the dance based on the above key factors
- With your instructor: So that you understand exactly what they’re trying to say, it makes a difference between watching yourself do it and when you actually do it, because you can’t see yourself doing what’s being advised towards and or against
- Pro-Tip: Ask your instructor for permission to send them your practice videos so that they’ll be able to give you pointers before meeting you in the next class. Of course, do not expect them to give you a detailed review due to the limitations of a video recording and they might be doing this for you on a complimentary and or voluntarily basis during their personal time.
5. Maintain an open and positive communication approach
There is no right or wrong, there is only something that is more preferred. When two individuals commit to a couple dance, they’ve made a commitment to an endless discussion. Sometimes, people mistake it for an argument or quarrel, it’s merely an exciting discussion.
- With each other: While the both of you are learning, it’s important to understand that the needs and interpretation of the other may differ. Amidst the existing challenges present, it’s even more crucial to help each other by communicating in a positive and open manner. Ask rather than demand, this goes a long way and beyond the wedding dance as well.
- With your instructor: Whether you’re in doubt or have certain inputs towards the choreography, after you’ve tried your best and still feel that you’ll prefer a change, let your instructor know! They’ll always be glad to assist in changing or improving the choreography
6. Have fun!
- The exact outfit(s) selected or the shortlisted examples, styles and choices.
- Feel free to improvise and add in elements that truly encompass your personalities, that’s when the wedding dance becomes truly a masterpiece of the couple
7. Discipline
Your schedule is one of the most important thing ever and consists of the following three parts:
- On your practices and schedules: We know when you don’t practice and that affects the productivity and envisioned progress
- No alcohol: Both before practices and the dance on the big day itself. Your mind and body can’t keep up. Okay, maybe just a quarter-shot if you require that confidence booster.
8. Rehearsals
It’s important for you to tell us what the limitations are in consideration and terms of
- Full-dress Rehearsals: What you do not want to do and what makes you extremely uncomfortable, do not be shy, while we will challenge you, we attempt to do it within safe perimeters
- The Final Rehearsal: On the big day before you set the floor ablaze
- Pro-Tip: Speak to your instructor about having them at your wedding, just a gentle note that it’ll usually cost two classes or one class with transport because they’ll be travelling to you instead of teaching class
Once you have the above other eight key items answered or materials in place, whether in full or partial, you should be well underway to an amazing wedding dance!
Happy dancing!