Easy first Dance Steps for the Groom to know
A Groom's Guide to Beginner Dancing
Usually at weddings there is dancing and as the Groom you will want to lead your partner in a few of the dance numbers, esp. the first wedding dance. Usually the main wedding dance is the Waltz.
An easy way to learn the Waltz is that there are 3 steps or 3 beats and the man always begins dancing moving forward and leading the women while she dances moving her feet backward.
So just count 1- 2 - 3, 1 - 2 -3. And it is forward side together, then back side together with your feet close together. Begin forward with the left foot.
Keep practicing repeating forward side together and back side together or 1 - 2 - 3, 1- 2 - 3. Keep on the ball of your foot. The ball of your foot is the part of your foot below your toes.
Or you could repeat as you dance, forward and up, and back and up. Your feet are very close together and you are up on the count of 2 and 3.
You could also practice lifting up on the ball of your foot. Stand in front of a mirror with feet together and lift up and then down. Keep practicing this. This is the balancing exercise for the Waltz. When doing the Waltz you raise up on the ball of your foot on the second and third count together.
All Ballroom Dance is danced on the ball of the foot except for the Tango, which is led with the heel.
When you feel you are proficient in the one two three movement start trying to move slightly in a circle and move your feet further apart. Practice this for awhile.
With this simple step you can Waltz forward and back and in a circle and you can move your partner under your arm for a turn.
At some point while you are practicing pick out some good Waltz music and practice to the music.
You will probably also dance Swing at your wedding. This is an upbeat tempo with a count of one two three four. A man can almost stand still in Swing and just move his partner in turns under his arms. The woman does more stepping. But to know a step practice tap step, tap step, back step. Tap step with the left foot, tap step with the right foot, then back step with the left foot and step with the right moving the left foot behind the right foot and stepping with the right foot. Do this over and over again in time to a good fast beat.
If you are not good at tapping your step you can do Swing by counting one two three four and stepping left, right, back, step. That is 4 beats. It is step with your left foot, step with your right foot, back behind your right foot with your left foot and step with your right foot.
Do either of these steps in time to the music.
Another dance that is easy to learn is the Fox Trot, which can be danced to slow or fast music. It has four beats and they are slow, slow, quick, quick. Or 1 - 2 - 3 - 4. All steps forward - left foot, right foot, left foot, right foot. Or forward side together and back side together. But this is four beats not three like the Waltz. As you move forward the woman moves backward. This dance is danced to music that sounds more like swing music than Waltz music.
Some extra tips for dancing:
It is easier to dance in shoes with a leather bottom.
Hold your partner's hand loosely so that if you spin her in a turn her hand can move under your hand.
Remember your partner can only dance well if you dance well since you are the leader. The man always takes the lead in Ballroom Dance.
Don't look at your feet while dancing. When practicing dancing without a partner, hold your arms up as high as your waist. This increases balance and prepares you to dance with a partner.
If your future bride is an accomplished dancer, you would do well to take a few dance lessons at your local ballroom dance studio. Dance studios often offer a wedding dance program.
Group classes at a dance studio are cheaper than private lessons.
