This advice is based on years of experience preparing couples for that special "First Dance". Take this advice and you and your partner will have fun and enjoy a great first dance and have many happy memories of your learning to dance experience. We Hope this advice will help you supprise and amaze your friends and relatives and enable you to dance as perfect partners at your wedding - and happily ever after ! TO START: * Select a romantic song with a solid dance beat. * Select a song that keeps a consistent beat throughout the song. * Select a song that is less than 3 minutes long. (Two or two and a half minutes of Dance time is plenty). * Use a CD to practice with because you can put it on "repeat" and practice as long as you want.However also practice with other songs with slow and medium and fast tempos - so you don't get bored with your first dance song. * Start your dance lessons at least 3 months before your wedding ! This will give you enough time to plan,practice,and perfect you dance. It will also allow for unforseen missed lessons and missed practice scessions. *Make your first dance photograpically interesting, so that you will have Video and Still photos that you will be proud to show off to your friends,family,and children in years to come. Ask your dance teacher for some sexy moves dips, turns,and spins - go for it ! * Have a good idea what size and shape your Wedding reception dance floor will be so that you can practice and get used to dancing in that amount of space. *Plan how you are going to start (enter), and end (exit or dip)your dance.Also where the Groom will be facing when he starts and ends the dance.Start and end facing in the same direction if possible. * Advise you Band leader or DJ when and how you plan to start and end your dance. Also let your Photographers know. * Plan what will happen when you end your first dance. Will you invite everyone onto the dance floor or just your parents and/or grandparents ? *If you are taking dance lessons (or using a Video) you should plan to practice at least twice a week, a half hour or more each time. Practice is very important between dance lessons (The groom should practice a little on his own), in order to really feel comfortable and be able to look and feel relaxed on your wedding night. * Keeping time to the beat of the music is very important...feel the beat ! * Remember He leads...She follows..(at least when your on the dance floor). Ladies be his mirrow image on the dance floor..match your steps with his * He is responsible for keeping time to the music...Ladies you keep in time with your partner. TIPS FOR BRIDES-TO-BE: ********************** * Always Practice in comfortable shoes about the same heel height of the shoes you will be wearing at your wedding reception. * Do not wear open toed shoes on your first few lessons (protect your toes). * On the last practice scesson before your wedding practice in your reception shoes, but protect the front of shoe with masking tape or old nylon socks. SONG & DANCE PRACTICE ADVICE - *Relax and let him lead ! *You probably had to twist his arm a little to get him to agree to take lessons,so encourage him by telling him how well he is doing and how happy your are that he is doing this for you. * Do not lean too heavely on his shoulder when dancing, keep your left hand fingers togeather and flat on his shoulder blade, that will show off your ring in photos ! * Check to see if you can comfortably raise your arms in your wedding dress. If you can't you will not be ableto do turns which require you to raise your arms over your head. Let your dance teacher know if this is a problem. * Check the length of your wedding dress o be sure you can dance and move comfortably in it. Also be sure its not to long , so that he will step on it while dancing. You can practice in a crinalin or hoop slip to test the length while dancing. * If you are doing a dance routine don't get mentally locked into the routine. The most important thing is to relax and follow whatever steps he leads you into. As is life the most important thing to learn is cooperaton and flexability. Your a team now ! * Practice once or twice in your wedding reception dance shoes. you can cover them with cotton socks or nylons to avoid getting them scoffed or damaged. * Ladies,always look diagionally to your right over his right shoulder), when dancing. This keeps you from blocking his view (he has to see where he's going).This is also important to get your face in the photo's. If you are looking directly at your partner the photographer will not be able to get a shot of your face,especially if your groom is taller than you. * Never look down when you are dancing. *No matter what happens relax and keep dancing...and follow your partner ! * Don't forget to smile. * Think Love... a lttle kiss at the beginning and at the end of your first dance (even when practicing), is a great mood enhancer ! * GOOD LUCK !!! Tips For The Bride - MEN... once your get over the initial fear of taking dance lessons you will discover it can be a lot of fun ! The best part of learning to dance is that you will learn to lead,(take control). Once you begain to lead you'll find that your princess will not only enjoy it, she will actually smile and let you lead ! Remember you are the captain of the ship while you are on the dance floor. Men - Here are some more tips that will help you become perfect partners on the dance floor- and off! * Lead her firmly but gently. * Your arms serve a frame and her guide on the dance floor, keep them firm. 80% of your lead comes from your right arm and hand. Keep your right elbow parallel to the floor. * Look stright ahead (not down at your feet),when dancing. Remember you are steering. Beleive it or not your feet will work without your looking at them ! * Listen and keep time to the music. Try to pick a song that has an easy beat to hear. Listen to the song on your own , and if your are doing a dance routine try to visualize what step you are dancing at each part of the song. * If you have trouble hearing the beat of the music ask your dance teacher or your partner to help you. * Try to practice at least twice a week with your partner. The more you prctice the more comfotable you will be...and look on your wedding night. * Don't dance on your toes,(unless you are doing swing or latin dances). Take each forward step like a comfortable walking step,with your heel hitting the floor first. * Always try to move counter-clockwise around the dance floor. (To your left). * Become comfortable dancing the steps first, then combining all the steps and keeping time with the music.Your confidence and lead will improve the most after you are comfortable with the steps. *Remember Your First Dance is a team effort, the cooperation and teamwork you develope while learning and practicing your first dance will form the foundation for the cooperation and teamwork that will help you dance through life's ups and downs as perfect partners ! Best Of Luck, Jerry Neerin P.S. Learn To Dance Wedding Day Video -Only 17.95 Plus $5.00 Shipping * Call Toll Free -1-800-580-6952 P.S.S. FREE PRIVATE DANCE LESSON (Los Angeles area) Wedding Prep Dance Instruction Services - WE SPECIALIZE IN WEDDING PREP DANCE lESSONS Your First lesson is free - Call 310-828-7326 P.S.S. DANCE LESSON GIFT CERTIFCATES AVAILABLE For Couples In Los Angeles Area (Certificate Buyer Receives a Free Lesson) Call 1-800-580-6952 Or (310)828-7326 * Video Shipping Note: US Priority Mail 3-5 days US Express Overnight Mail-Add $22.00 TIPS FOR THE GROOM -