This is a recurring question that I receive when people ask for information about taking a dance course, and it depends on several factors. Generally, I recommend taking the course 3 to 6 months before the event. However, in addition to this, there is also the decision regarding the duration of the course that the couples should take to achieve their goal, and this depends on several decisive factors. Below, I explain them:

The duration of a dance course is defined by:

1. The type of dance desired by the couple: Classic, modern, a surprise dance with several songs if it’s a ballroom-style dance, Latin dance, tango, etc.
2. The couple’s expectations: Whether they want to learn just one dance or more, such as salsa, cumbia, etc., to be able to dance at their celebration. If they want to take advantage of learning to dance very well with refined technique, a variety of steps, and projection in many rhythms or just some specific ones.
3. What they want to learn: If they want to learn a routine, a choreography, or even to improvise, or as sometimes they have asked me, “to ensure that the guests don’t realize we took dance classes.”
4. Defining the objective they seek: Another factor is whether they want to take the course just to “fulfill the commitment,” “to learn to dance well,” or “to learn to dance very well to move gracefully at their wedding and future parties.”
5. Deciding the modality for taking the course, “online” or “in-person”: We are facing a paradigm shift, and online dance classes have opened up a lot. It’s true that not all of them are good; however, approaching a true professional with a good teaching methodology can achieve many things. It may even close the gap between in-person and online classes, achieving high-quality courses.

6. Establishing a budget: Learning to dance will always be a very good investment in the couple. I’ve always said that it’s better to take a short course of very good quality with a true professional who knows what they’re talking about, is backed by customer reviews, has experience and a teaching method, than to take a dance course that is labeled as the “good, nice, and cheap” option with improvised individuals. Because in the end, the result can bring some unpleasant surprises, ending in a complete waste of time, money, and effort.
7. Checking the remaining time until your event: The dance teacher can always juggle to fit in the required course for your wedding dance, but doing it in advance and with peace of mind is much better for learning purposes.
8. Guidance from a professional: The teacher will help to ground the idea of the dance that the couple wants to perform based on their experience, as well as the evaluation they perform on the couple to determine their level of motor coordination, physical structure, and strength. They will also provide guidance on the estimated time needed for the couple to acquire the skills to perform their desired dance.

No less important is mentioning the factors that should prevail in couples when taking a dance course, ensuring that it is developed and concluded successfully.

These are:

• Being convinced of both parties’ interest in taking a dance course.
• The desire to engage in and learn an activity together.
• The desire to have fun and enjoy a pleasant time.
• Being aware that the process of learning to dance “well” involves a process based on teaching, execution, trial and error, and correction, as well as the development of body awareness, motor coordination, and developing a new way of communicating with the partner.
• Considering the strength and physical shape of the couple.
• Having the necessary patience with oneself and the partner to learn.
• Showing empathy toward each other if a dance step is difficult.
• Both partners understanding the goal of the dance course.
• Knowing that the dance teacher is the only one who can correct the couple.
• Trusting the professional dance teacher regarding recommendations to maintain the couple’s physical safety.

In conclusion, learning to dance with the goal of preparing for your wedding dance is a beautiful activity that will allow the couple to have fun and relax. Whether they have plenty of time or little, it is a pleasantly useful and enjoyable activity that will further strengthen their relationship as they embark on this project together as a couple for life.