Wedding dance - brudevals.

The wedding "season" is not here yet, but if you recently said "YES" and the big day is happening this summer 2023, now it's the right time to start planning. I have lots of experience teaching wedding dances, so I'd like to give you some useful advice and share my experience with you.

1. Put the dance on your schedule.
The moment you start to plan your wedding decide if you want to perform your first dance. If the answer is "yes" put the dance on your wedding checklist together with the dress, suit, venue, music and a wedding cake.

2. Budget.
WEDDING DANCE GROUP COURSES: Courses tailored especially for wedding couples where you get to learn the basics in slow waltz, Viennese waltz and swing. You can base your dance only on this course or also combine it with a few private classes.

PRIVATE CLASSES: The most effective but also most expensive way to reach your goal. A simple waltz can be done in 2-4 hours. Private classes gives you a great opportunity to create something special and unique to impress your guests and family.

GROUP COURSES: The cheapest way of learning some dancing skills. Take a whole semester of salsa, bachata or ballroom classes. You can combine it with some private classes afterwards. 

3. Find the right instructor.
Make sure you choose a person who has experience with teaching wedding couples. Do some research, check their websites. Write an email with all your questions plenty in advance of your wedding as good instructors will be very busy in the wedding season. 

4. "The song".
MUSIC - SONG: Choose a meaningful song that brings good memories for both of you. It's always safe to have 2-3 songs to choose from in case you are not sure if you can dance what you wish to them.

TYPE OF DANCE: Choosing a song defines the dance you'll be showing. If you're not sure what you can dance to your song, ask your teacher for advice.

HOW LONG SHOULD THE DANCE LAST? 2-3 minutes is a perfect length for your first dance.

5. Keep it simple.
A simple and elegant slow waltz or a Viennese waltz is beautiful and perfect for a wedding day. If you want to dance on your wedding, but you're not a performer - keep it simple. It's easier to stay confident and calm when you don't have to think about a complicated choreography, because your body remembers everything.

6. Practice makes perfect!
Practice makes perfect! Your teacher will probably tell you this a hundred times. Please practice! Spending a fortune on courses and private classes won't help if this will be the only time you dance together. 5 minutes every day is better than 1 hour once a month.

7. Tips for practicing:

• practice in your wedding shoes or similar,
• use a long dress/skirt,
• record yourself dancing - it's easier to see the mistakes (like posture) and fix them,
• reconnect as a couple - the more you dance, the more confident you'll feel,
• practice and then practice even more

8. On the big day:

• enter the floor with confidence,
• look at each other and smile,
• stay calm when you make a mistake,
• interact with your quests - smile,
• keep your heads up,
• hold your frame.

I hope this helps you not to stress about the dance. Don't hesitate to contact me with any questions! Good luck on your new journey together!

You can read this article in Norwegian here: Bryllupsdansen - brudevals - bryllup - Bryllupsmagasinet
​Watch me and Santino Mirenna dancing wedding dance on Bryllupsmesse in Grand Hotel, Oslo : (1439) Brudevals Ewa Trela og Santino Mirenna - Din Bryllupsmesse 2022, Grand Hotel Oslo - YouTube

Ewa Trela and Santino Mirenna / Photo: Monica Sæterdalen