Dance Lessons Included...

matcha

I've posted this on the Reception board, but I wanted to get your opinions...

My FI and I are swing dancers  We are going to have swing music for our dance reception and have asked a few friends to teach a quick (less than 30 minutes) swing dance lesson so that everyone can feel comfortable dancing and have fun! My question is: when should I have the lesson?  My options are at the end dinner, right before the beginning of dancing, or at the end of cocktail hour.

We are having the reception and ceremony in the same location, so there isn't travel time to think about.  The ceremony is on the back porch, the cocktails will be inside and on the front porch while we take pictures and the staff turns over the patio for dinner. 

The coordinator for the place recommended after dinner, because everyone is talking and wouldn't want to stop socializing for the lesson.  I'm a bit torn, because at a few weddings, I've been bored toward the end of the drinking/socializing period. We are looking at 1 to 1 1/2 hours for the cocktail part. But maybe having the lesson before the dancing starts will get people up on the dance floor?

What do you ladies think?  After dinner or at the end of cocktails? (or is it a silly idea and just skip the whole thing?  I liked the idea, because it'd be fun to teach everyone a new skill that they can use in the future.)

SamiJoeB

I mean.. In my opinion.. and it's just that, my opinion so PLEASE don't be offended, but as a guest, I would probably just think it was silly.  You want your guests to have fun and enjoy themselves, and dancing isn't for everyone.  It's great that it's something that you and your FI are into, but maybe share that with everyone with your first dance.  Stan and her H did a really cute swing number for their first dance and it was great!! Even if you're only playing swing type music, people will kind of just do their own thing, and having a lesson would kind of send the message "This is how you're SUPPOSED to be dancing at our reception".  Again, that's just my opinion.  Others on the board may love the idea, but I kind of just think it's silly.

matcha

Sami, I'm totally not offended.  I shouldn't be asking for opinions if I didn't want to hear them! :-)

Initially I thought it would be fun, something that our undergrad did as a group, and may help people not feel lost during the swing music.  I would just ask some friends to show the most basic of steps with a few turns and let them loose. I thought it may help people feel more comfortable dancing, or at least be a little unique.

Any feedback would be great, really. :-)

amh04

I second what Sami said. While I can see your thoughtfulness behind it is sweet, it does come off like "this is how I want you to dance" rather than the thought to share something you both love. You can always incorporate it in to your first dance and music rather than offering a dance lesson

amh04

What you could do instead is do something similar to a money dance, but you and FI teach them a few moves yourselves. That way its more personal.

firsttimersluck

All I wanted to add to this thread, is that your little siggy is Moon River.. and I walked down the aisle to it... Yup I did. My dj found an incredible instrumental version. It's an all-time favorite song <333

matcha

I love that song, FTL!  Its so beautiful and nostalgic.  We love traveling, so its a fitting line for us. I'm not sure what to walk down the aisle to yet- I have a few months to figure it out. :-)

calindi

I think it's a cute way to share what you guys enjoy, and clearly some of your friends will like it, too.  Either at the end of cocktail hour or the beginning of dancing would be fine.  I feel like if it's the end of cocktail hour, people might feel like it's more optional and can watch but not participate if they like (which is a good thing, by the way) whereas if it's after dinner and before dancing, people might feel like they are being pushed to do it or stay at their seats (and therefore won't watch).

I hope your WHOLE reception won't be swing dancing, will it?  Cuz the non-swing dancers might be a bit bored.  Sprinkle them through, perhaps?  Or have a 10-minute block of swing dancing towards the beginning and a 10-minute block towards the end - that way people who don't want to swing dance can use that time to refresh their drinks, rest a bit, grab some dessert, whatever and it won't interrupt the flow of the evening with people on the dance floor.  The biggest downer is when a packed dance floor gets vacated because people don't like or don't know how to dance to a song that comes on.

matcha

I was thinking about doing the majority of music as swing, but things like Elvis Presley count in that category.  I may mix in some more "other" music, to try and keep everyone involved.

Its funny, I usually leave the dance floor when a lot of hip-hop/pop music comes on- I have no idea how to dance to that! :-) I'm such a huge nerd.