Wedding Dance Workshop Hosted by The Wedding Dance Specialists- Recommended by Washingtonian Magazine

Wedding Dance Workshop (FOOTSTEPS)
Sample a variety of slow dances to see which style you prefer.
Develop your individual composure as a dancer.
Learn the fundamentals and secrets of partner dancing.
Techniques for traveling around the floor.
Overview of choreography concepts
The perfect way to get comfortable dancing around others!
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Wedding Dance Workshop (TWIRLS)
Every woman loves to be twirled and your guests can't get enough of seeing it either! Learn how to twirl, spin, drape, cuddle, unwrap to give your bride the "Cinderella Moment" she deserves in the spotlight and have your guests applauding, cheering, wildly photographing and eager to join you on the dance floor!




Registration Details:

Virginia Wedding Dance Workshops
Date: Sunday March 11, 2012
Date: Sunday, April 22, 2012
Location: Alexandria, VA 22314
Time: 3-6pm
Investment: $60 per person (3 hour workshop) *
$70 per person (3 hour workshop)

Maryland Wedding Dance Workshops
City: Columbia, MD 21026
Date: March 18, 2012
Date: April 15, 2012
Time: 3-6pm
Investment: $60 per person (3 hour workshop) *
$70 per person (3 hour workshop)

*Early Registration Discount: 14 days prior to the workshop

Click HERE to register and for more information about the workshops.

Celebrity DJ Company Interviews The Wedding Dance Specialists

Yeah We Think We Can Dance - by Dave Armon of Scratch Weddings (Image courtesy of FOX)

When it comes to the first dance that couples share with one another on their wedding night, the Waltz immediately comes to mind for bridal purists. But two popular TV shows have stoked interest in far more challenging dance floor moves.

ABC’s Dancing With the Stars and FOX’s So You Think You Can Dance?, have led to far more lofty aspirations among couples planning to demonstrate their fancy footwork. The result: a booming business for professional dance instructors who specialize in weddings.

Deborah Joy Block, an industry pioneer whose team trains close to 1,000 engaged couples annually, credits the dancing reality shows for convincing couples that an investment of time and energy can make a wedding reception more memorable. Although The Wedding Dance Specialists’ claim to fame is working a miracle in ONE lesson by providing a basic but complete routine, she cautions against procrastinating.

“Realistically, a lot of couples tend to delay taking lesson until a month or two before the wedding day. And they don’t leave themselves enough time or budget to allow for an elaborate routine and a lot of lessons,” said Block, who operates multiple The Wedding Dance Specialists studios in the Washington, D.C., area.

The musical preferences among couples learning dance from The Wedding Dance Specialists match up closely with Scratch Weddings clients. A recent review of first dance song selections reveals 70% opt for slow songs – mainly Top 40 slow love ballads. Examples range from At Last by Etta James to Sade’s By Your Side, to You Are The Best Thing by Ray Lamontagne.

For the 30% of couples who want their music – and their feet – to move a bit faster, we’ve seen plenty of merengue, salsa and swing, along with memorable rock tracks like Modern English’s Melt With You, and The Zombies’ This Will Be Our Year.

For those who just want to survive their moment in the spotlight regardless of the song’s tempo, the experts offer these words of reassurance.

“If you have a really good instructor who understands the unique needs of engaged couples, you should be able to look natural, elegant and relaxed in a very short period of time and still impress everybody even without an elaborate routine,” Block said, adding, “If a studio tells you need 10 lessons when your goal is just to avoid the ‘high school prom sway’– that’s excessive.”

One real-life example of how a working with a professional can make a novice into a respectable dancer involves Los Angeles Times business reporter Dawn Chmielewski, who prepared in just two weeks for a one-time guest appearance on Dancing With The Stars in 2009. She wrote a page one column about the experience
Granted Chmielewski’s partner was professional dancer Jonathan Roberts, not a groom with two left feet. To compensate for that, we’d recommend an extra week of lessons.

Celebrity DJ company and training academy Scratch Weddings was founded by Grammy Winner Jam Master Jay of Run DMC, trains thousands of DJs nationally and internationally, won numerous wedding industry awards, executed events for top national corporate brands, Their DJ training software Scratch DJ Academy MIX software is sold at Best Buy and the video game DJ Hero 2 features their curriculum. The original post of this article can be found on the Scratch Weddings Blog at http://www.scratchweddings.com/yeah-we-think-we-can-dance/

Here are a few Scratch Weddings DJ's DC bios. They include high-res photos, video interviews and demos, and mixes:

n DJ As-One http://www.scratchweddings.com/dj-biomix.php?r=REoxMDAyMQ==&e=MTMx

n DJ Bounce http://www.scratchweddings.com/dj-biomix.php?r=REoxMDAyMw==&e=MTMx

n DJ Premonition http://www.scratchweddings.com/dj-biomix.php?r=REoxMDAzOA==&e=MTMx

Wedding Dance Workshop - Twirls

Every woman loves to be twirled and your guests can't get enough of seeing it either! Learn how to twirl, spin, drape, cuddle, unwrap to give your bride the "Cinderella Moment" she deserves in the spotlght and have your guests applauding, cheering, wildly photographing and eager to join you on the dance floor!

Let's cut to the chase. "H-O-T" is how grooms describe this workshop! "Sensual" is how to the brides describe it so it looks like everyone is in agreement! Spice up your First Dance plus see how you can use all many of your moves during the reception! Learn how to loosen up, shake your hips (and other important parts) & look confident! The temperature is bound to go up with this rendezvous and the two of you! This date night will make you blush, feel intoxicated and high on life as you gaze steamily into your lover's eyes! It's time to get down and dirty, hot and flirty as you prepare to rock the reception and heat up the honeymoon!

This dance style is sure to put a twinkle in your eye, butterflies in your stomach and a skip in your step. Feel like it's a first date all over again! Learn easy moves that look impressive! . Never have to dance by yourself again to fast music either as we will show you how you can demonstrate your versatility by dancing to Latin, world beat, techno mix, Top 40, and rap. No partner switching cuz it's time to get your flirt on with your honey! You will dance out positively glowing

Dance with your partner the whole time - no partner switching

Location: Alexandria, VA
Date: April 16, 2011
Time: 4:30 -7:30 pm
Price: $30 per person.
Workshop attendees who are Facebook fans qualify for a discount on private lessons within the grace period when you register for two workshops.

Location:Columbia, MD
Date: Saturday, April 30, 2011
Time: 5 - 6:30
Price: $30 per person.
Workshop attendees who are Facebook fans qualify for a discount on private lessons within the grace period when you register for two workshops.

Location: Rockville, MD
Date: Saturday, April 16, 2011
Time: 4 - 5:30
Price: $30 per person.
Workshop attendees who are Facebook fans qualify for a discount on private lessons within the grace period when you register for two workshops.
RSVP: 703.626.7016 or email: info@theweddingdancespecialists.com

Wedding Dance Workshop (Foot Steps)

Sample a variety of slow dances perfect for love songs to see which style you prefer.
Develop your individual composure as a dancer by learning foundation techniques.
Learn the fundamentals and secrets of partner dancing.
Techniques for travelling around the floor.
Brief overview of choregraphy concepts
Invite your parents and bridal party so they can prepare for the Honors Dances.
Get a head start on your private lessons or polish and reinforce what you've already learned.
If your wedding isn't for a while and you haven't chosen a special song yet, this is the perfect way to get your feet wet and get comfortable dancing around others!
Meet other engaged couples in the area!
Maximize your investment in private lessons by getting a head start with this comprehensive workshop.
Dance with your partner the whole time - no partner switching
Invite the parents and bridal party so they will feel comfortable in the spotlight too for the Honors Dances! Gift certificates available.

An elegant First Dance requires footwork and arm work so we strongly recommend the Wedding Dance Workshop (Twirls) as a vital compliment to learn easy but dynamic armwork, sexy twirls, head drapes, cuddles and spins to loosen up and spice up your First Dance plus have cool moves you can use all night long during the reception! The First Workshop builds confidence but the second workshop adds the sparkle!

RSVP: info@theweddingdancespecialists.com or call 703.626.7016

Location: Alexandria, VA
Date: April 16, 2011
Time: 4:30 -7:30 pm
Price: $30 per person.
Workshop attendees who are Facebook fans qualify for a discount on private lessons within the grace period when you register for two workshops.

Location: Columbia, MD
Date: Saturday, April 30, 2011
Time: 5 - 6:30
Price: $30 per person.
Workshop attendees who are Facebook fans qualify for a discount on private lessons within the grace period when you register for two workshops.

Location: Rockville, MD
Date: Saturday, April 16, 2011
Time: 4 - 5:30
Price: $30 per person.
Workshop attendees who are Facebook fans qualify for a discount on private lessons within the grace period when you register for two workshops.

Wedding Dance Workshops for November!

Wedding Dance Workshop
Location: Falls Church, VA
Date: Saturday, November 6, 2010
Time: 1:00 - 2:30
Price: $30 per person.
Workshop attendees who are Facebook fans qualify for a discount when you pre-register for two workshops or private lessons.

Location: Columbia, MD
Date: Saturday, November 6, 2010
Time: 5:00 - 6:30
Price: $30 per person.
Workshop attendees who are Facebook fans qualify for a discount when you pre-register for two workshops or private lessons.

Sample a variety of slow dances perfect for love songs to see which style you prefer.
Develop your individual composure as a dancer by learning foundation techniques.
Learn the fundamentals and secrets of partner dancing.
Techniques for travelling around the floor.
Brief overview of choregraphy concepts
Invite your parents and bridal party so they can prepare for the Honors Dances.
Get a head start on your private lessons or polish and reinforce what you've already learned.
If your wedding isn't for a while and you haven't chosen a special song yet, this is the perfect way to get your feet wet and get comfortable dancing around others!
Meet other engaged couples in the area!

Maximize your investment in private lessons by getting a head start with this comprehensive workshop.
Dance with your partner the whole time - no partner switching

An elegant First Dance requires footwork and armwork so we strongly recommend the Rock the Reception Workshop to compliment to learn easy but dynamic armwork, sexy twirls, head drapes, cuddles and spins to spice up your First Dance plus have cool moves you can use all night long during the reception!

Rock the Reception Workshop
Location: Falls Church, VA
Date: Saturday, November 6, 2010
Time: 2:30 - 4:00

Location: Columbia, MD
Date: Saturday, November 6 , 2010
Time: 6:30 - 8:00

Easy moves that look impressive. Lots of twirls to show her off. Never have to dance by yourself again to fast music! You can slow these moves down and incorporate them into your First Dance too! Learn how to twirl, spin, drape, cuddle, unwrap to give your bride the "Cinderella Moment" she deserves in the spotlght and have your guests applauding, cheering, wildly photographing and sharing their own "Facebook moment!"


Price: $30 per person. (Discounted when you pre-register for two workshops)
Workshop attendees who are Facebook fans may qualify for a discount on private lessons!
RSVP: 703.626.7016 or email: info@theweddingdancespecialists.com

Determining How Many Dance Lessons You Need

Determine what your dancing goals are first. This will affect when you start and how many lessons you choose. Don't worry too much about time constraints when considering quantity because we can offer double sessions. Once you have determined your goals, we can better advise you as to how many lessons we recommend for your individual needs. Consider the following:

• Do you want to learn enough just to "survive" the wedding dance?

• Do you want to have an interesting variety of moves for the wedding dance?

• Are you participating in additional Honors Dances?

• Do you plan on fast dancing during the general reception?

• Do you want to learn to dance in general at future social events?

• Do you want to enjoy a dinner/dancing date night with your fiance(e) during the wedding planning process?

• Do you want to share dancing as a hobby even after the wedding?

Unique Wedding Ideas

I came across a bride's post online asking for unique ideas for her wedding. I suggested a creative First Dance instead of the usual high school prom sway. My husband and I wanted to demonstrate our unity and teamwork and passion for each other by dazzling everyone with our First Dance. We feel the First Dance is the most sentimental and indispensible moment of the reception. With a little preparation it can also be the most memorable moment! So we changed into Tango costumes and performed a sultry Argentine Tango routine with a live guitarist and Julio Iglesias sountrack to "A Media Luz" in Spanish. (the lyrics - about a mysterious and sensual mood) were translated on the back page our ceremony program). The Argentine Tango was my husband's idea and reminiscent of the surprise date he took me on to see amazing Tango show on Broadway in NYC. It made for amazing pictures and really set the tone for the rest of the evening which was "Dancing and Romancing" all night for all of our guests! Looking back, we had lots of other unique touches but THE FIRST DANCE takes the cake!

Award Winning Engaging Affairs Event Planning Endorses TWDS!

Award Winning Event Planners at Engaging Affairs surprised us with this lovely review on their blog. We are so flattered that one of their consultant Sara chose TWDS to prepare her and her husband for the most sacred dance of their lives! Here is their blog review:

There is a lot of debate among my couples about whether or not to take dance lessons for their wedding. I'd say most intend to and more than half actually do it. I think dance lessons are a great idea and can be a fun prewedding activity. That being said, if one person is dead-set against it, then dragging them through the lessons will not be fun. Better to stand and sway than to have one person gritting their teeth through the dance.

But if you are both willing to try, then go for it! Guests love when couples have a fun first dance complete with spins and dips. And I love seeing the excitement on couples' faces when they finish their dance and get wild applause.

We love the folks at The Wedding Dance Specialists because, well, they specialize in teaching couples to do a first dance. Even in one lesson, they will have you dancing more smoothly! Our own Sara and her now husband took lessons through The Wedding Dance Specialists and danced like pros. Sara says that they are living proof that anyone can be taught!

I also love that The Wedding Dance Specialists work with you on selecting a first dance song and have a list of appropriate songs on their website with clips so you can listen to a bit of the song. As the folks on American Idol will tell you, song selection is important. There is nothing more awkward than realizing halfway through a first dance that the lyrics are totally inappropriate.

So check out The Wedding Dance Specialists and get dancing!

Here is a link to the Engaging Affairs Bridal Bubbly Blog which is full of creative ideas and great advice on event planning!

Feedback from our students Julie and Jason!

Julie and Jason are a lovely couple and so easy to work with! Julie was so supportive and encouraging of Jason and Jason had such a mellow and sunny disposition. Both had the perfect attitude going into the challenge of learning something new under time pressure constraints. I guess Jason is not flustered by pressure easily as he risks his life on a daily basis as a police officer! Thank you for choosing our services!