Wedding Dance Lesson FAQ

+ How Many Lessons will I need?

This depends on several things:

How much do you want to include in your dance? Are you aiming for just a few basic steps and a simple, elegant ending, or are you dreaming of a full-on Dancing with the Stars routine? Maybe you want to recreate choreography from an iconic NSYNC or Michael Jackson video? (Yes, we’ve done that—and loved every minute of it!) There’s no wrong answer here. We adore sweet and simple, but we also love any excuse to binge-watch Justin Timberlake or replay the final scene of Dirty Dancing to perfect the moves. (And yes, we’ve done that too!)

Do either of you have dance experience? Everyone learns at their own pace. Some people already have a sense of rhythm, music knowledge, or movement experience—whether it’s from sports, marching band, or even hobbies like golf. You might be surprised how often we compare Waltz to golf, Swing to basketball, and Merengue to marching band drills!

Will you have time and space to practice on your own? Practicing at home helps your lessons progress more smoothly. The less time we spend reviewing, the more we can focus on learning new material. Plus, practicing together can be a great way to unwind from wedding planning. Set aside the to-do list, pour a glass of wine, clear some space in your living room, and enjoy a few moments in each other’s arms.

+ Group class or private lessons?

Both group classes and private lessons have their advantages, depending on your needs!

Group classes are a fun, social, and economical way to get started. You’ll learn general dance techniques while enjoying the experience with others. Plus, you can get your wedding party involved by taking a group class together for a lively bonding experience!

Private lessons, on the other hand, offer personalized attention. You’ll get individual pointers tailored to your song and specific dance goals, allowing you to focus on perfecting your routine. For a truly custom wedding dance, private lessons are the best option.

+ What Song(s) is the best?

We encourage you to choose music that reflects who you are as a couple! Don’t feel limited to a traditional slow song—sometimes a rock anthem or an upbeat track can express your love more authentically. Your music should resonate with you both, so embrace your true musical tastes!

When you come to your first lesson, bring a few music options you're considering. If you have several ideas, your instructor will gladly help you find the one that works best for your dance. And if you’re unsure where to start, check out our extensive list of favorites for inspiration.

Feel free to mix things up! If you’d like to incorporate more than one song, we’d love to help you choreograph a unique combination that tells your story. Imagine starting with a romantic Waltz, transitioning to a playful Swing, and finishing with a show-stopping Salsa!

If there’s one perfect song that captures your relationship but it's longer than you’d prefer, don’t worry—we can edit it to a comfortable length. We recommend keeping most dance songs between 2.5 to 3.5 minutes for the best experience.

+ When Should We Start Taking Lessons?

We recommend starting your dance lessons about four to five months before your wedding. It’s a perfect way to break up the stress of planning with a fun date night! Once your dance is complete, save one or two lessons for the final weeks leading up to your big day. A refresher will help keep everything smooth and stress-free, while giving you both a chance to unwind together.

+ What should we bring to our lessons?

Wear something comfortable that allows you to move freely. Make sure your shoes are secure (no flip flops!) and avoid anything too restrictive, like skin-tight jeans. Eventually, you'll want to bring shoes similar to those you'll be wearing on the big day—especially if they involve high heels. Dancing in heels takes practice! Shoes with leather or suede soles work best for gliding on the dance floor. We also have a practice skirt available so you can get a feel for moving in a large, heavy wedding dress.

+ After our intro lesson, how do I purchase more lessons?

At Sway Dance, it's our mission to provide quality instruction in a comfortable learning environment. We pride ourselves in being great instructors, not pushy salespeople. It is against our policy to require up-front, long-term "contract" payments.

Private lessons are 45 minutes long and can be purchased individually, or in convenient and economical packages.

+ What about father/daughter, mother/son, and other dancers/dances?

We’d love to help! When you purchase a lesson package at Sway, you have the flexibility to use it however you'd like. Consider saving a lesson or two for parent dances to ensure everyone feels confident dancing in front of your guests.

Want to get the wedding party involved? We’re all in! Bring us your ideas, and we’ll work together to fit everything we can into your lesson package.