the last dance
first dance song recommendations and other wedding dance advice
It’s always a great day when First Dance Charlotte is included in an article about things to do in Charlotte!
Many of my private lesson students are transplants to Charlotte — it seems like many people move here when they are already coupled up and planning their weddings — so if that’s you, this article could be a great resource for learning about things to do around the city and beyond.
I know it can be challenging to choose a first dance song, or a father-daughter or mother-son song for your wedding. With the entire history of music available, plus new wedding love songs coming out every year, it can seem overwhelming to narrow it down.
If you are actually planning to dance during your first dance or parent dances (and not just prom sway), then the best playlists to listen through are ones compiled by wedding dance instructors. (Hint: if you are reading this, you are in the right place!)
Take yourself back to April of 2020 (if you dare!) The world was reeling from quarantines, shutdowns, uncertainty and fear due to the Coronavirus. Out of the 30 students I was teaching privately at the time, 95% postponed their weddings to a later date and I found myself, like many of my colleagues in the wedding industry, essentially unemployed.
What’s a girl to do?
Keep reading to find out about exciting new changes at First Dance Charlotte for 2022 weddings!
Since the spring of 2020, when the world was reeling from shutdowns and it looked like weddings as we knew them might be over for good, I’ve been working hard to build a library of online wedding dance tutorials for beginners.
In just one year, I’ve created 30 beginner tutorials to a range of first dance songs, from the most popular choices of 2021 … to lesser known but much loved songs … to classic, never going out of style, first dance song choices … and so many more.
Keep reading to explore all of my online wedding dance tutorials!
So excited to share that I was recently featured on Magpie Wedding in an interview on how to feel more confident during your first dance. Read the full article at the link below!
First Dance Advice: 5 Ways To Add Confidence To Your First Dance
I’m starting a new series on my blog of “First Dance Inspiration” posts, featuring my gorgeous students and the wedding dance choreography that I am particularly proud of. I’ll be sharing videos or photos of first dances that I love. If you want to see more, jump to the bottom of this post and subscribe to my email list, or follow me on Instagram or YouTube.
Now, without further ado, the following video is of Andrew and Dani’s first dance to Young And Beautiful by Lana Del Ray…
Ah, Valentine’s Day.
Normally a day when couples get dressed up and head out to fancy dinners combined with movies, shows, performances, wine tasting, cooking classes… as long as it’s romantic and/or fun, I was all for it.
Pre-COVID that is…
Keep reading to learn about my alternative ideas for a romantic Valentine’s Day activity at home. (Hint: it involves dancing in your kitchen.)
So you love “Beyond” by Leon Bridges and are considering dancing to this song for your first dance. Join the club!
Beyond was one of 2020’s most popular first dance songs at my wedding dance studio and online. Earlier this year, I shared a video on YouTube of one of my 2019 couples dancing to this song and the feedback has been so positive! I even received multiple requests to create an online tutorial based on this dance.
I’m so excited to share that I was recently interviewed by Jenn and Steve Van Elk of the Wedded Podcast. We had so much fun chatting about all things “first dance” — how to navigate first dance lessons during the pandemic, how to prepare for your first dance, my favorite first dance songs, and so, so much more. I hope you’ll give this podcast a listen to learn more about me and my teaching philosophy.
Click read more for links to the podcast.
Have you considered dancing to “Come And Get Your Love” by Redbone for your wedding first dance? It’s a great choice for a first dance because it’s upbeat, fun and funky, and the disco dance possibilities are endless!
Check out the following post for a video of Kaitlyn and Alex’s epic disco first dance to this song.
When I had to stop teaching lessons during the North Carolina shutdown, I thought I would have all this time to focus on other parts of my business, like writing blog posts, posting on Instagram regularly and creating a new online wedding dance choreography course every week.
HA.
Keep reading to learn how accountability helps me meet my goals and how it can help you learn how to dance for your wedding, even if you have “two left feet.”
Unfortunately, the global pandemic is forcing couples to reimagine their ceremonies and receptions to reduce the chance of spreading the virus.
But because this virus is forcing so many changes, and because change can be stressful, I would encourage couples to think about all of the traditions you can keep the exact same as you have planned when reimagining your wedding.
One of those traditions is the first dance.
Are you considering dancing to “Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You” by Frankie Valli for your wedding first dance? It’s a great choice for a first dance because it’s romantic, fun and exciting and the choreography possibilities are nearly endless!
I’ve worked with a lot of couples from beginners to more advanced students, and for two lessons to eight, to create first dance choreography to this 1960s classic love song. Check out the video of my students, Shelley and Robert, dancing to this song.
When you hear the lyrics, “you’re just too good to be true...can’t take my eyes off of you...,” who else immediately thinks of the scene from “Ten Things I Hate About You” where Heath Ledger serenades Julia Stiles over the PA system during soccer practice? 🙋♀️
It would be impossible to come up with ten things to hate about this first dance song! Keep reading for my recommendation as well as photographic inspiration for those of you considering this song for your first dance.
Have you been dreaming of a first dance where you and your partner float gracefully around the dance floor Disney princess style? Or maybe you want to get the party started with an energetic and less traditional song choice (I’m looking at you, St. Paul and the Broken Bones!) Either way, a choreographed dance is a great way to kick off the reception and create memories to last a lifetime.
Choreography doesn’t have to be elaborate or scary, I promise! Follow the link to check out my top five reasons to learn a choreographed first dance.
Some wedding dance lifts are super simple to pull off and are a great way to end your first dance or highlight a particularly beautiful moment in your first dance song. They also look amazing in wedding photography! Keep reading to learn how to incorporate an easy, yet beautiful wedding lift into your first dance.
Whether you live in Charlotte, NC or on the other side of the world, First Dance Charlotte is launching its first online wedding dance course in the summer of 2019 designed specifically for couples who have very limited time and no experience dancing together. Learn how to create a simple, relaxed and romantic first dance even if you are an absolute beginner. This course uses the same methodology and clear instructions that Alex uses in her private, in-person lessons that have resulted in hundreds of satisfied students and five-star reviews.
