Wedding Blog
News flash… the Mascaras are not good dancers. I danced for seven years waaaay back when, but I definitely didn’t retain much and now I feel ridiculous trying to dance. Mr. M is just… not good either. We have this weird fear of doing the high school sway while everyone is watching us dance for the first time as Mr. and Mrs. I mean, it will be our first dance as a married couple, so it should be done right, don’t you think? We’ve been talking about getting lessons since we first got engaged, and we finally found a ballroom dance studio this past week. We had our introductory lesson and really enjoyed it!
We learned the very very basic steps of the rumba, foxtrot, waltz, and the hustle. We very quickly decided that we were not fans of the hustle. The rest were enjoyable, though. I kind of like using the whole floor in the foxtrot! Our instructor was a fun guy and was pretty outgoing, which is just what we needed to break out of our shells a bit (we are engineers, after all). He did a lot of the “BAM”, “BOOM”, “POW” business (apparently channeling his inner Black Eyed Peas?) but we’ll forgive him for that.
At the end of the lesson, while we definitely didn’t feel as though we were ready for the real deal, we at least had the confidence that we are capable of pulling it off.
The instructor told Mr. M that he had a really strong posture (and kept calling him Tom, since apparently he resembles Tom Cruise) and that I dance really “light”… which I guess is a good thing, because it means I’m not dragging my man around the dance floor. Go us!
We ended up signing up for an additional four lessons, and I’m pretty excited about it! Our next lesson is tomorrow, so I’ll let you know how it goes!
Did anyone else decide to brush up on their dancing skills before the big day?
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Share this post: Learning to Dance, Step One
sounds like you guys had fun!!! i hear ya on the “high school sway” dance. this post makes me think we may take lessons after all!
We’re doing a package of ten classes — and had a great time at the freebie visit the studio allows to all new students last week. I’m hoping to blog more about it 
I signed up for one introductory class and had to promise that if he absolutely hated it, we wouldn’t have to go back. Well he loved it! And 4 lessons later, as long as he doesn’t dip me and drop me on my head (again) I think our first dance will be perfect!
We’re not taking lessons, but we are doing something to prepare–hope I get a chance to share with you guys!
i love it when couples learn a dance for the wedding! it’s so sweet - even sweeter when it’s not perfect! (;
xo
the wedding chicks
I think it’s great that you and Mr. M are taking dance lessons. I wish Mr. DE and I would have done this. He said he was OK with it, but we could never find the time to fit in a class.
Mr Frenchie and I start our lessons on Wednesday 
Oh, we’re definitely taking lessons. Neither of us are great dancers, and, like you, I have a deep-seated fear of the high school sway. Actually, I’m thinking of taking a couple of lessons with my dad too (I seem to have inherited my lack of dance skills from him). Looks like there will be a lot of dancing going on this summer!
I am considering doing this, but I have NO idea how much it would cost…. and since I’m on a pretty tight budget, could someone give me a ballpark figure? Thanks!!
@Jessica: Our ten private lessons (and ten group classes) — all of which is good for one year — cost just under $1,000. More than I would have thought, but honestly, we’re a whole bunch of dates and an expert to help us figure out the perfect first dance! I’m sure it varies from region to region though — and that you could find specials (or even great deals on Craigslist!).
Our first dance will be to our song: Sunday Morning by Maroon 5.
Those of you familiar with this little ditty will know, this won’t be easy to dance to!
So we are going to take lessons to us figure out how to dance to this and a few other songs.
Jessica- I found lessons through an artist group… $7 per person for an hour then we get to practice our skills in an open dance. Private lessons are $30 per couple per session.
I just googled my town and dance lessons/dance classes/dance instruction. The hunted for the best deal. GOOD LUCK!!
FI is actually the one who suggested lessons, so we will be starting ours in a couple months as soon as I find somewhere to take them!
neither of us are good dancers, but we’re silly dorks that make for good entertainment. we’re so bad that it’s good 
@Jessica: Our lessons are coming out to around $300 for 5 lessons and two “dance parties”. It’s a lot more than I expected, but we’re approaching it as a way to have fun and relax during all the crazy planning!
My fiance and I have been taking lessons at Aruthur Murray for a few months now and L.O.V.E it… we’re doing a ‘foxy’ for our first dance, dip and all!! so excited! If you get a chance you should ask your instructor about swing… you can swing to almost ANYTHING current and a ton of older stuff too! so much fun and by far my favorite dance! Good luck!
hey miss mascara! What kind of shoes did you use to practice in? I tried in heels, but only lasted about 15 min 
@nvybaby82: I think we get to do swing next week!
@Miss Bear Cub: I have actually been wearing my wedding shoes, partly to break them in, and partly because there’s no point to wear heels if I’ll be wearing flats for the real thing. I’ll be honest though, they kind of hurt! I proactively put a band-aid on the part of my foot that hurt the most after the first lesson and it was much more comfortable for the second lesson. The instructor did tell me I should get shoes with suede bottoms though (mine have leather bottoms) so that it will be easier to so more turns, but I am not going to buy fancy dance shoes for the 3 lessons we have left!
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Mrs. Mascara, Chicago/Upper Michigan
Age and Occupation: 25, Biomedical Engineer
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 25, Process Engineer
Engagement Date: July 27, 2008
Wedding Date: September 2009
Venue: Catholic ceremony, reception at local armory
About Me: A lover of Mr. Mascara, crafting, baking, Gossip Girl, diet soda, and all things wedding. A Yooper girl somehow displaced in the Chicago suburbs, planning a wedding from a distance, and counting down the days until I marry my best friend.
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