Online Class or In-person Class?

In wedding dancing, what matters isn't where the lesson takes place!

When it comes to wedding dance, the first thing that usually comes to mind is face-to-face lessons. Being in front of the instructor, working in the same studio, seeing the movements firsthand…

Is this really the most important thing for a beautiful first dance?

I have been teaching dance for over 20 years, and with my experience in wedding dance since 2006, I can confidently say that it 's not about whether the lesson is in person or online. It's about what kind of dance is prepared for the couple.

Because this summer we saw many different kinds of wedding dances again. We saw dances that had been taught in person, but that made you think, "I wish they hadn't danced at all..."

Dances that are memorized step by step, where the couple is more focused on remembering the movements than feeling the music, with a somewhat school play feel…

Then there are the dances where the bride performs the entire dance alone, while the groom merely acts as a prop on the dance floor…

Then one inevitably begins to think:

So it's not just about taking in-person classes.

So what makes for a good first dance?

A good first dance needs to belong to the couple first. It needs to suit their dance level, style, height difference, mobility, the music they choose, the wedding venue, and most importantly, the style of their wedding dress .

There's little point in recognizing how beautiful a choreography looks if you can't move freely in your wedding dress.

Similarly, a move that looks very impressive on the internet doesn't necessarily have to look the same on your body or at your dance level.

For me, one of the most important aspects of a first dance is the connection between the couple. It's not just about getting the steps right; it's about following each other, looking at each other, feeling the same rhythm, and truly appearing to be dancing together.

Because the first dance isn't about two people performing the same choreography separately.

Two people dancing together.

That's where the advantage of online classes comes in.

I can work with couples online from the comfort of their own homes.

There's no traffic, road, parking, or rushing to get to the studio after work. This is a significant convenience, especially for couples who already have limited time amidst their wedding preparations.

And perhaps most importantly, online classes don't prevent the dance from being tailored to the individual.

When I work online, I can easily observe the couple's movements, dance level, harmony, and what comes naturally to them from across the screen. The goal isn't to send a ready-made choreography online and say, "Learn this."

On the contrary, the aim is to eliminate potentially inappropriate actions from the start.

In person or online?

I don't think there's a single right answer to this question.

Some couples enjoy working in a studio, while others prefer the comfort of their own home. Some have the time, while for others rehearsing at home is much more practical.

But whichever format you choose, it's far more important to ask yourself this question:

"Does this dance really suit us?"

Because you don't want people thinking, "How many lessons did this couple take?" when you're on the dance floor on your wedding day.

They don't necessarily have to say, "There's so much activity!"

What we want is much simpler:

A first dance that complements each other, can be performed comfortably in a wedding dress, carries the music, looks natural, and conveys the bond between the couple.

And for this, what matters more than where the lesson takes place is the type of dance that is prepared for you .

For me, a well-prepared first dance isn't one with the most difficult moves, the most steps, or the longest choreography.

It's the dance where the couple feels comfortable, natural, elegant, and truly connected on their wedding day. ❤️