Tips for Soon-to-be Newlyweds - What Makes a "Good" Wedding First Dance
What touches us the most when we see a couple's first dance?
First and foremost, sharing their love with fun, tenderness, even shedding a tear--this is the true essence of a memorable first dance. This can happen with or without fancy dance moves. Guests are there to honor and witness the union of the couple, they haven't bought tickets for a professional performance. I emphasize to my students that shining one's love and connecting emotionally, is the priority that trumps all "dance moves."
After emotional connection, the next level of an inspiring wedding dance is when a couple moves together in harmony. Dance is a powerful medium of expression, especially for romantic love. This does NOT mean a lot of complex choreography--many of my clients do very simple moves, but we use partner dance technique to create smooth, connected movement: a graceful entrance, some lovely turns and a beautiful ending pose.
Lastly, the excitement of seeing more complex dance moves, and/or the newlyweds that you had no idea had dancing skills, executing something exciting, more technical, that also looks comfortable, elegant, and fun can bring a whole added dimension to the expression.
What is it, then, that makes partner dancing look and feel smooth and comfortable?
Here are the top key elements I teach my wedding couples. This knowledge and these skills allow them to relax, be in the moment, and fully in their joy on their special day:
Musicality: Even if you improvise much of the dance, knowing where the emotional highlights of the song are, and coordinating moves to express them, has the greatest impact.
Where to look: Eyes are so important! The couple is most connected when looking at each other as much as possible. It's easy to look away, at the floor, or nowhere at all when you're unaware, nervous, or concentrating on physical execution.
How to turn and dip gracefully: There are many subtle and not-so-subtle technical mechanics of how to use the fingers, hands and arms in turns and twirls. Not to mention where to put your feet, when and how to make it "work."
How to move together and stay in sync in general: There are many partnering tips and subtle skills of body mechanics that couples can learn and practice to create the look and feel of harmony together.
How to integrate your favorite moves so they look and feel great: If you have online inspiration or moves you already love, partner dance training will make them look and feel "right." Touching and moving with another body mass in motion can't be learned only by watching - these are skills based on feeling and in-person contact.
Above all, wedding guests are there to support and celebrate the love of the couple. The shared moments and communal experience matter most. Read more about my Wedding Dance Lessons here. Keep reading to the next post to see my most important notes for guests!