first dance song

Perfect First Dance Process

Fall in love with first dance…here’s how I helped one couple create their perfect routine

AlisonLoveofDance

I wanted to share an example of how The Love Of Dance has helped a wedding couple to meet their first dance dreams. There’s no one size fits all, which is why I tailor the process of teaching the basics of the ballroom styles to every couple, and develop the first dance with them along the way. I’ve been teaching first dance for almost 15 years (and dance for 20 years!), so I now rarely plan anything until I’ve had the first lesson with my couples – and it’s usually a beautiful process!  

Real life first wedding dance couple E&J

This superb photo below was sent to me by the absolute superstars E&J along with their 5*  feedback.  They had a one day intensive dance EXPERIENCE with me.  I can’t even call this process a lesson because the 5 hours were completely collaborative.  They wanted some moves for their first dance to the dramatic Killer Queen by Queen.  They freestyled together and showed me the powerful vibe they wanted to bring to their dance, I took that vibe, rolled with it and – for those of you who have performing arts knowledge of any kind: we ‘workshopped’ their whole routine.  I’d prepped some moves for them, then pretty much just helped them order their own moves into a routine they could remember, teaching them some basics of foxtrot too, so they will still have the skill forevermore knowing how to properly lead and follow.  Their final rehearsal gave me goosebumps. 

E&J's First wedding dance at Broughton Hall
E&J at Broughton Hall

Here’s the glorious feedback from E&J

“Absolutely incredible experience. Alison was fun, casual and incredibly talented. She understood our vision, pitched her teaching at the right level for us and we had a fabulous time. Everyone at the wedding said it was the best first dance they’d ever seen!!”

E&J

Photo taken the day after E&J’s wedding at magnificent Broughton Hall by the epic @fireandice team.
Google search ‘The Love of Dance’ for more reviews!

I can’t wait to share some snippets of the actual first dance with you. Keep an eye out on my socials for more from E&J!I’d love if you could follow me on Instagram or Facebook.  As a small business, I really appreciate every time someone comments and it can have a bigger impact on my reach to support more wedding planning couples, thank you!

Ooh, and there’s more!I also offer hen dance parties and did you know I can help with a wedding fitness, wellness and nutrition plan to help get you feeling like your best self for your wedding?! ;)We can chat more when you’re ready…and a reminder it’s really important to book you first dance lessons as soon as possible to give yourselves loads of time to prepare and feel calm and confident on the day!  I would usually suggest 6 months in advance of the big day where possible!

Ready to chat with me? Book time through my home page here!

Tips to Calm First Dance and Wedding Day Nerves

AlisonLoveofDance

“When you dance the purpose is not to get to a certain place on the floor. It’s to enjoy each step along the way.” Wayne Dyer

I’m refreshing a previous post about enjoying every step of the first dance! How to prepare the mind both in advance and in the day to help you calm and focus yourself, and calm the First Dance and Wedding Day Nerves.

Here’s some tips (used by performers – true story!) to help calm your first wedding dance or wedding day nerves:

  1. Practice the power pose behind the scenes – proven to boost confidence.
  2. Roll the shoulders back and lift the chest to stand tall and proud.
  3. Find ways to relax the face – tension in the face could bring tension into the rest of the body.
  4. Find a way to help calm the mind – whether mindfulness, visualisation, meditation – whatever works for you. Perhaps find a routine to practice on the morning of your wedding to help chill the mind.
  5. Practise a breathing technique you could try in the moment – pull yourselves to the side and have a little powwow breathing pattern that you’ve tried in advance and links you to a chance to centre you into the moment.
  6. Find an essential oil blend toolkit that you can carry in your wedding day essentials kit or handbag and keep the oils near for the day – have a little sniff of to energise you, calm you, relieve a tension headache…whatever you think you’ll need!

Take a look at the Insta Reel below for some inspiration 🙂

I have one thing to say:
THE BREATH IS POWERFUL!!!

https://www.instagram.com/p/CMsxSMCBVFK/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

First Wedding Dance or Wedding Day Nerves? I’ve got you covered.

AlisonLoveofDance

🦋We’re emerging out of Lockdown 🤞🏻 from our hermit like existence. Like butterflies from our cocoons!🦋 So if Wedding Day or First Dance Nerves feel out of control after months of minimal human contact, I’ve got your covered.

We have a ‘road map’, so let’s create a plan to physically and mentally prepare for the first dance and for unleashing your gorgeous selves to the wider world beyond your household and soon enough, to your guests at your wedding. There’s no better way to make the final days to freedom count (whenever that may be). 

I’ve got a series of blogs to read, starting with the importance of preparing in advance for the first dance. STARTING FIRST DANCE LESSONS SOONER RATHER THAN LATER will mean the dance will become like second nature, just like walking, and the nerves will stay at the door. 

Wedding Day of First Dance Nerves? The Love of Dance has got you covered!

I can support you with:
💪🏼 Physical fitness and strength through a bespoke Pilates programme;
💃🏾First Wedding Dance lessons;
🗓 A plan for scheduling in key timeline priorities in your wedding planning,

Which in turn will:
💃🏾🕺🏾improve your self-confidence and
🧘🏻‍♀️prepare the mind to calm wedding day and first dance nerves.

Amongst so many other physical and emotional health and wellbeing benefits that come with fitness and first dance… and help you leave any anxieties behind with the Lockdown!!

Teaching A First Dance Lesson In the Wedding venue

Relaxed Luxury Summer Wedding – Featured on Rock My Wedding

AlisonLoveofDance

FEATURED on @rockmywedding blog 💃

I’m so pleased to have been involved teaching some First Wedding Dance and Hen Dance Party style movement to the gorgeous models (who were really fab!) – you may spot my little star as Flower Girl got featured – she loved it as much as I did. 🤩 I showcased all the feels of having a final first dance rehearsal or hen party in a glorious wedding venue (read here about why this is important for me), to really enhance the gorgeous experience of learning to dance together.

Take me back to this glorious hot summer day please. If anything is going to get us excited about Summer weddings, it’s this STUNNER of a relaxed luxury wedding styled shoot in the countryside organised to a ‘T’ by Mrs T Weddings alongside an incredible team. The photos by Hester Barnes Wedding Photography are outstanding ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

FRESH. COLOURFUL. UNIQUE. GLAMOUR.
“Almost as though it would have come out of Chanel advert”. Rock My Wedding – read the full edit here.

See who was involved in the incredible team below the images and video.

Creative Direction & Planner – @Mrs_T_Weddings
Photography/videography- @hesterbarnesphotographyandfilm
Bridal Wear – @victoria_sanders_studio
Bridal accessories- @rachelsokhalbridal
Grooms wear – @mendosuitsparis
Venue – @thecherrybarn
Florals – @chirpee.flowers
Cake – @cobi_and_coco_cakes
Rentals &decor – @locatetocreate
Makeup Consultation – @__cesca__
Hair – @maxxanderson.hair
Favours – @bombonierebymaria
Stationary – @polkadotcreationswedding
Table wear – @atouchofvintageuk
Catering – @annie_at_blackbirdcatering
Dance – @ftloveofdance
Assistant Planner @m.fioreevents
Champagne – @hoffmannandrathbone
Bridal models –
@steph_dasilva
@jordan_xchelsey
@hayleymaymuirhead
@_tashangilardi
Mrs T’s team/model – @alice__clapp
Male model – roddyclarkedesign

The Love Of Dance DIY Your First Wedding Dance Manual & Online Masterclass

AlisonLoveofDance

Maybe you’re sitting on the fence about whether or not to have first wedding dance lessons, or you’re sure you can crack the code to creating a fabulous first dance yourselves, but just don’t know where to start.

You might have even downloaded the free Find Your First Dance Music and Style Guide by now and are feeling inspired.

So I’m giving away my trade first dance choreography secrets in a step by step DIY Your First Wedding Dance Manual and LIVE Online Masterclass.

See the link here to purchase your DIY Your First Dance and Masterclass and to download the First Dance Music and Style Guide!

The guide is download-able and designed to accompany a one hour Masterclass with me! This masterclass will set you up with some clear steps to help you push forward with alllllll the choreographic tools to help you plan your very own first dance! I’ll include: how to find inspiration; how to learn some basic first dance steps; how to listen to your song and put the moves to it; some key practice tips and ways to help with first wedding dance nerves. There is so much we’ll cover – crazy huh?!

You see I think everyone can become a choreographer when we’re considering your own first dance dreams, desires and personalities!

Purchase your DIY Your First Dance and Masterclass and to download the First Dance Music and Style Guide!

And see my Instagram Reel here to show you more about me!

4 Reasons to have the Final First Wedding Dance Rehearsal in your Wedding Venue

AlisonLoveofDance

It’s Hazel and Rich’s Wedding Anniversary, so I thought I’d share their success story and 4 reasons to have the final first wedding dance rehearsal in your wedding venue – as Hazel & Rich did at the stunning wedding venue, Cain Manor! Scroll to the bottom to see the full rehearsal.

First Dance Rehearsal
Hazel & Rich

Happy Wedding Anniversary to this lovely pair. How fabulous is their jive? So much fun! Neither of them had danced like this, let alone jived, before. They looked so chilled. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 The final rehearsal with me in their wedding venue made all the difference. This was an incredible opportunity for Hazel and Rich to get into their wedding venue, get mentally prepared for the first dance and get a feel for how it’s going to feel, in the space on their wedding day…plus a brilliant opportunity to just gush at their gorgeous wedding venue. A big pat on the back to themselves for achieving what they had planned so far for their wedding!

4 Reasons to have the Final First Dance Rehearsal in the Wedding Venue:

💜 picture themselves on the dance floor and confirm where their guests will be sitting – i.e. which way to face their dance;
💜 relieve nerves with a visualisation technique used by pro performers – see this post for suggestions to enjoy every first dance step – and to imagine how it will feel when they’re in front of their guests;
💜 have a mini ‘Dress Rehearsal’ – Try out the shoes and get used to the floor type (e.g. Is it slippery, uneven?!), and try wearing a dress/skirt similar to the wedding dress – or the underskirt;
💜 get excited about being in their glorious venue. It all starts to hit home about how special their day is going to be. 

Read this post about how it also worked for Caroline & Tim!

And here’s the gorgeous feedback from H & R:

“Thank you sooooo much Alison!!!! We really enjoyed our first dance and so did all of our guests!!! You were a fantastic teacher and I think Rich and I are a little sad our lessons are all over now!! Thank you so much again!! Hazel and Rich x”


🎶’Follow Me’ by the Baseballs 🎶
I do not own the rights to this music

Meet First Wedding Dance Choreographer, Alison Brewerton

AlisonLoveofDance

T H I S . I S . M E. Look out world ‘cos here I come!*

Thought I’d introduce myself to some new followers, the face behind The Love of Dance.

I’m Alison, First Wedding Dance Choreographer – I founded The Love of Dance 10 years ago to help wedding planning couples who didn’t know where to begin in planning something a little special for their first dance. Most of my clients over the years have been ‘non’ dancers (I hate that phrase because everyone is a dancer in their own right!) and they needed anything from learning some basic social ballroom steps (footwork), to a first dance extravaganza choreographed for them!

I’m also a Pilates Instructor and incorporate postural strength into my service in helping couples stand tall, proud and confident on their day, or generally help them strengthen and tone. (Downward Facing Dog optional!). 

I’m based in Bedfordshire but thanks to the wonder of tech I now teach couples/clients all over the UK… maybe I’ll be able to say ‘the world’ soon!

“Look out (world) ’cause here I come, 
And I’m marching on to the beat I drum, 
I’m not scared to be seen, 
I make no apologies, T H I S . I S . M E”

*Oh, and yes – I love The Greatest Showman. Slightly edited the words, but If ever there’s a power ballad for 21stC, that’s the song!

Read more about Alison here.

Follow on Instagram – @ftloveofdance or Facebook – The Love Of Dance

First Wedding Dance Songs – The (Slightly) Alternative Edit

AlisonLoveofDance

Let’s talk those first wedding dance songs that aren’t too clichéd. Stuck for ideas? Here’s my list of first dance songs that are a little different. Cool, smooth, romantic songs which maybe haven’t been thought of by your friends, cousins – anyone else getting married around you.

Some inspiration has come through from my First Dance Clients. Some are my personal favourite songs of all time: personal to me because of my family’s music background – my dad is a jazz musician.

The first dance song will ideally represent your journey together, but not every couple has the song that perfectly summarises their relationship, reminds them of the day they met, or their first holiday together. You may not have a song that they think is suitable for a first dance – but it is YOUR day – it doesn’t have to be a clichéd love song. You dance to whatever you jolly well like. If you’re stuck, maybe by listening to lots of music, you could find the song that tells your story.

There’s a wealth of music out there on music platforms, Youtube etc. search the genre of music or artists you like; listen to remixes, instrumentals, covers by other artists. Find new music, listening to the suggestions that pop up based on your previous searches. Literally get lost in music!

When you find your song, be creative! Perhaps have it sung by a live band, personalise your song further by asking your musicians to play around with the arrangement, or find an instrumental version (a beautiful piece of music doesn’t need lyrics). TIP: Ask the band to record the final version before the wedding day so you can rehearse your dance to the song in advance!

So keep scrolling down for my list, Sit back with a glass of wine on a Friday evening – or a cuppa on your Sunday morning – with your beau and Enjoy my Spotify Playlist here.

Get in touch to find out more about how The Love Of Dance can help find the perfect song, create amazing first dance memories by teaching you to dance together through wedding dance lessons, and arrange the live music to accompany your first dance and beyond, into the evening.

First Wedding Dance
Debbie & Bayo danced to ‘A Lovely Day’ by Bill Withers
  • If I Ain’t Got You – Alicia Keys
  • Can’t Take My Eyes Off You – Andy Williams
  • My Baby Just Cares For Me – Nina Simone
  • Here Comes The Sun – Nina Simone
  • Jose James – I’ve added Jose to my playlist because he’s covered so many soul/RnB classics, alongside writing his own tracks. His voice is like a cosy hug. Go down that maze of following his songs/albums on any music platform and enjoy his delicious voice.
  • Lovely Day – Bill Withers
  • At Last – Etta James
  • I Only Have Eyes For You – So many versions! Ella’s is a lovely upbeat version. The Flamingos: not everyone’s cuppa, but totally cool and chilled!
  • You and I (Nobody in the World) – John Legend
  • What a Wonderful World – Louis Armstrong (of course!)
  • You Are So Beautiful – Joe Cocker
  • The Way You Look Tonight – various versions
  • A Thousand Years – Christina Perri 

You’re welcome.