I'm looking to take private dance lessons at home to prepare for a wedding first dance?

Question

I live in central NJ.

Answer 1

Okay - make sure you get a dance instructor who is used to teaching wedding couples.  If they are good they will teach properly so your can have the perfect dance for your wedding day.  To do this they need to 'suggest' a decision on whether to freestyle or do a routine.  They will also need to accommodate for:

- your dress and veil - underarm turns don't work very well with a long veil and train and sometimes the arms of the dress restrict you from raising your arms up

- your shoes - it is best to learn to dance in the shoes you will wear at the wedding

- the music you want - the music is what chooses the dance: Jazz - Swing/Foxtrot, R&B - Rumba etc.  But some people have live music - which can complicate things (musicians always change pace throught a song.  It is best not to do a 'hard-core' routine with live musicians as they often change the music.)

- the type and size of dance floor - in some out door weddings they dance on grass!

-the videographer and photographer so they can take beautiful 'picture' shots

BUT - you don't need to worry about this stuff - it's your dance instructors job.  And to tell you the truth - in a wedding dance no one is checking to see if you do the steps right or if you are on time to the music.  Your first dance is about celebrating the beginning of your marriage.  Learning to dance with your fiance is about enjoying your time together.  So, pick the right instructor and you will have treasured memories to last a lifetime.

Answer 2

What kind of dance- what kind of song?

  Get lessons weeks or months early.  If your dress will be long and full, it may interfere with your dancing as a couple.  I once gave a couple a two minute routine, and they had to give up on it after 10 seconds because everytime he turned her, the dress dragged on his legs, hindering both of them.