Whether you're shy, mighty or could give the Strictly professionals a run for their money on the dance floor, we've got the answers to some common first dance questions from the region's go-to dance experts and wedding choreographers...

Q. I can't wait to dazzle in the limelight but my h2b is desperately shy. How can we make a first dance work for us both?
A. "The best thing you can do to reassure yourselves is to choose a piece of music that you both like and ask your dance teacher/choreographer to set a routine that you can memorise and practise so there are no surprises on the big day," says Carmen Hawkins from Plymouth Dance Academy (plymouthdanceacademy.co.uk), who offers first dance tuition. "Make sure you have a clear view of the room dimensions and shape of the room where you are going to dance so your choreographer can design a beautiful routine, too." "The key is to communicate with each other," adds Clare Lawrence from Strictly First Dance (strictlyfirstdance.co.uk), who specialises in first dance choreography. "Talk through your ideas and come up with a plan that is going to keep both of you relaxed on the big day. Perhaps, if the bride is more keen than the h2b, a 'hen dance flashmob' could be an alternative. This way, the bride gets the limelight and her h2b can relax and let her have her moment!"


Tim Simpson

Q. Do we have to have a first dance? Is there an alternative?
A. "While the first dance is 'traditional,' it's certainly not obligatory," says Clare. "The day is yours, so you do what you want with it. An alternative could be to have something involving the parents or other members of the wedding party: perhaps a father and daughter, or mother and groom dance. These alternatives can be either tear jerkers or comical, it's up to you the way you want to go with them." "You don't have to have a first dance," reassures Carmen. Alternatives can include group dances, "where the bride organises a group dance with her bridesmaids surprising the groom and guests, for example," says Carmen.

Q. What's the upbeat dance they do on Strictly that's quite 1920s? We'd love to do that but we don't know what it's called!
A. "This is the Charleston," says Clare. "It's a lot of fun, energetic and a perfect way to get the party started." "But wear a short wedding dress and flat shoes if you are going to Charleston on your wedding day!" adds Carmen.


Ben Selway

Q. How can we impress our guests when we've both got two left feet?
A. "Relax, be yourselves and stick to the basics," says Clare. "A beautiful first dance doesn't have to be about fancy footwork, it's about the two of you coming together for the first time in public as Mr and Mrs. A first dance, when thought about and choreographed well, can be simple in footwork, but appear just as impressive as the professionals. One option, if two left feet are what you are dealing with, is to have perhaps just one verse choreographed, and then quickly ask the rest of your wedding party to join in," suggests Clare.



Q. We are more gentle swayers than movers and shakers; how can we keep our guests interested while we barely move on the dance floor?
A. "Just choose a timeless romantic tune for your wedding dance if you haven't prepared a routine, and many of your guests will hopefully join you on the dance floor," says Carmen.

Q. What's the best dance and song for wowing the crowd? We want something spectacular!
A. "Music choices are very personal: I recommend spending some time on your music search and don't necessarily go for something that's currently in the charts, as your guests might have been listening to it on the radio for months and already be bored! Don't be afraid to be different and unexpected. If you want something really surprising for your guests, choose two pieces of music: a waltz for the beginning of your dance and then link with something completely different, such as an old Spice Girls' number or a good Latino fun song to really get the party started!" says Carmen.


Lucy Wallace

HAPPY FEET
Clare from Strictly First Dance shares her top tips for a disaster-free first dance
1. Make sure you can move the way you would like to in your dress. It's no good having a skintight dress if high kicks are on the agenda.
2. If you're securing your dress in the evening for the party, make sure it stays secure. You don't want the skirt of your dress coming undone whilst doing the fabulous foxtrot.
3. Always practise your dance in your new shoes before the big day.
4. Ensure you know what flooring you'll be dancing on: big heels aren't going to work in a field!



Plymouth Dance Academy www.plymouthdanceacademy.co.uk
Strictly First Dance www.strictlyfirstdance.co.uk www.facebook.com/Strictly1stdance

words Elizabeth Chester

Copyright Wed magazine 2016