Frequently Asked Questions
Why should we take dance lessons?
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Why should we learn to dance for our wedding?
It’s your wedding day, and all eyes will be on you. The Wedding Dance Specialists will show you how to amaze your family and friends with a sentimental first dance and parents dance in the spotlight. Your photo album and wedding video cost thousands and we can deliver dynamic images so you can cherish priceless memories. Plus, dance lessons emphasize teamwork and demonstrates your unity as a couple during the most sacred ritual of the reception. Dancing is romancing!
Neither one of us can dance. Is it possible to learn in time for our wedding day?
Absolutely. Even if you have no dance experience we will give you the confidence you need. We can work miracles in less time than you ever thought possible. Even ONE visit is better than no preparation.
How far before our wedding should we start our lessons?
Whether you plan in advance or squeeze in lessons at the last minute you will walk out of our studio better than you walked in. As your wedding day approaches, we know you’ll be busy, so we recommend that you IDEALLY finish lessons a month l before your wedding day. This cushion allows for flexibility. You can schedule lessons back to back in one visit, once or twice per month, or every week.
How many lessons will we need?
The lessons are customized to each students’ unique situation. Everyone tells us that they wish they started sooner and took more because lessons are the most fun, sentimental investment in themselves and their relationship. Our most popular package is four lessons, but you will improve with even one or two. Many couples want to gain extra confidence and learn even more so that they can light up the dance floor all night long. With eight lessons or more, you’ll be a superstar! The investment in lessons is 1% of the wedding budget but 100% of your image in the spotlight.
How do I select the right dance instructor?
Not all dance instructors are the same. NONE specialize exclusively in wedding dance in the DMV area nor provide additional wedding related resources and curriculum. Instead most studios encourage long-term packages and traditional choreography rather than a more dynamic and photogenic curriculum. The Wedding Dance Specialists is the most recommended by tens of thousands of engaged couples and recommended by the area’s top wedding vendors. When the media needs an expert on wedding dance, they almost always call on us! Check out our rave reviews.
What are the dance instructor's qualifications?
Deborah Joy, the founder and lead instructor has taught tens of thousands of lessons to engaged couples over the past 28 years. She received daily dance coaching for several years from experts, taken master classes with competition judges and winners and even worked with the dancers on “Dancing with the Stars”. Equally important, she is certified in the industry of LOVE as a matchmaker, dating coach, premarital coach, wedding planner and happily married wife!
Tell me more about the lessons
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What dance styles do you teach?
We’ve invented an easier and more photogenic wedding specific curriculum inspired by all the most dynamic moves from traditional ballroom, Latin and even bellydance styles to really make you sparkle and your photos “pop!” We are classicly trained Waltz, Foxtrot, Swing, Cha Cha, Salsa, Merengue, Bachata, Rumba and Tango. You are also welcome to contribute your ideas!
Do you teach dance lessons for the parent dances?
Yes. The Parents Dance is very sentimental and will make great images for your parents album! Visit our lessons page for more details.
Are group lessons or private lessons better to learn our first dance for our wedding?
For many reasons, it’s ideal to do both. If you take a group workshop you will require fewer private lessons and save some money. You’ll enjoy success either way! We offer group lessons, private lessons, or a combination of the two.
If someone is in a wheelchair, can you still teach them to dance?
Yes! We want everyone to enjoy your special day. We can tailor our lessons for those with mobility challenges as well as sight or hearing impairments.
Let’s get to the fun part!
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Can you choreograph the steps and moves to our first dance song?
That is our specialty. Your first dance is the most important dance at your wedding, and that is our primary focus.
Will we have input on what our dance moves will be?
Yes, we will work with you to develop a personalized dance routine, and we can modify it at any time. The level of simplicity or complexity varies depending on many factors.
Will you help us pick a song for our first dance for our wedding?
If you haven’t decided on your first dance song, we can help. In our initial meeting, we will discuss your skill level and music tastes, and we will help you decide on the perfect song for your first dance. If you have a few favorites, bring them to your lesson or let us know in advance.
Should our first dance wedding song be fast or slow?
The tempo of your first dance is up to you, and we can teach you to dance to any style of music. We want your first dance to be memorable, so select the song that is most sentimental for you.
How long should our first dance song be?
To keep the attention of your guests, while allowing time to show off all of your moves and get great photo ops, we recommend that your first dance be 2:15 to 4 1/2 minutes long. Choosing a song shouldn’t be based off of song length or tempo. It should be based on sentimentality and wedding appropriate lyrics.
Can we do a mixture of songs for our first dance?
Absolutely! It’s your first dance, and we can help you make it unique and a reflection of you and your fiance. We can also help you do a first and last dance. We recommend varying the speeds if you plan to combine two songs into a hybrid.
How does it all work?
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How long are the lessons?
Lessons are typically 60 minutes in length. For couples who want to progress more quickly, we can schedule two back-to-back lessons. In addition to maximizing learning, this helps minimize trips to the studio during hectic wedding planning time.
Where do the dance lessons take place?
Our studios are conveniently located in Old Town, Alexandria and near Tysons. Visit our contact page for directions.
Will you come to our home to give the dance lessons?
In order to shine on the dance floor, it’s ideal to practice on an actual dance floor with mirrors, so we teach all of our lessons at our professional studios.
What times do you have available for lessons?
We typically schedule lessons Monday through Thursday from 4pm until 9pm, and Sundays from 12pm until 5pm. Other times are available upon request with a two back-to-back session minimum.
How do we schedule our lessons?
You can schedule your lesson right on our scheduling page. If you have questions before scheduling, you are welcome to email us or call 703-626-7016.
What if we need to cancel or reschedule a lesson?
We know that life happens! You may reschedule up to 48 hours in advance of your scheduled lesson at no charge. If you reschedule less than 48 hours in advance, a $50 rescheduling fee will apply. Cancellations with less than 48 hours notice are NOT refundable.
What shoes should we wear for our lessons?
We recommend that you wear leather or plastic-soled dress shoes or suede-bottomed ballroom dance shoes. Socks are fine too. We do not recommend pumps, mules, sling backs, flip flops, clogs, sandals, or tennis shoes.
What about the $$$?
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How much do dance lessons cost?
Priceless. Lessons are 1% of your wedding budget but 100% of your public image in the spotlight. Most of your wedding day investment will evaporate the next day but your dance skills are forever. We offer single lessons and packages of multiple quantity rate discounted lessons, and you will find the options here.
What forms of payment do you accept?
Payments may be made by credit card through our secure scheduling platform.
Do you provide refunds for unused dance lessons?
We will refund you for unused and unscheduled private lessons for any reason as long as they are cancelled with a minimum of 48 hours notice. If you’d like, you may also transfer lessons to someone else. Lessons may be scheduled up to 12 months from the date of purchase.
There are no refunds for group lessons, unless we cancel the lesson, but we will give you a credit that you can use for a future group or private lesson.
What if we haven't practiced enough and want more lessons?
In most cases, we can teach you in just a few lessons, but you can always schedule additional a-la-carte lessons. The four package provides a discounted upgrade unit rate.
Do you offer a free or discounted trial dance lesson?
Dance studios that offer a ‘free’ trial lesson always use it to convince you to buy more lessons, and usually many more than you need. Think about how much your time and energy is worth. At The Wedding Dance Specialists, our lessons are intensive, focused on your specific needs, and designed to get you to your goal as quickly, easily and affordably as possible.
Can we come observe one of your dance lessons prior to signing up?
Just like you, most of our clients are beginners and nervous about dancing, so we don’t invite visitors. You can sample one hour by signing up for a single lesson on our scheduling page. Many couples sign up for one of our group classes as an introduction. We provide over 300 reviews online and your are welcome to chat with our clients before your lesson begins. You can also have a complimentary phone consultation weekdays.