A Wedding Dance That Captivates And Mesmerizes

Can't Take My Eyes Off You by Frankie Valli is a popular choice for wedding dance choreography. Couples preparing for their wedding can take online dance lessons to learn choreography for their first dance. These online courses offer step-by-step tutorials, tips, and checklists to help couples execute their wedding dance with grace and confidence. With easy-to-follow instructions and no time constraints, couples can learn at their own pace and create an unforgettable performance that will delight their wedding guests.

Choreography basics

To make your wedding dance to 'Can't Take My Eyes Off You' memorable, you'll want to learn some choreography basics. This will ensure you and your partner are in sync and create a performance that will wow your guests.

First, it's important to understand the basic rules of leading and following. As a couple, you'll need to work together and be responsive to each other's movements. Leading and following is the foundation of any dance partnership, so make sure you're comfortable with this concept.

Next, you'll want to learn some simple dance moves that you can combine to create your routine. For example, the website 'Dance From Home' offers a course with steps like the disco samba basics, bachata steps, and blues steps. You can learn these steps through their online tutorials, which are designed for beginners and can be accessed at any time.

When planning your choreography, consider the direction you'll be facing in relation to your audience. Will you be facing the audience, or will your backs be to them at certain points? This will impact how your choreography is perceived and how you'll need to adapt your movements.

Finally, practice is key. Ensure you give yourself enough time to learn and perfect the choreography. It's recommended to start practicing at least four weeks in advance to feel confident and comfortable with the routine. With enough practice, you'll be able to add your own unique flair and truly make the dance your own.

Leading and following

The lead, typically the man, has a vital role in guiding and supporting their partner. They should establish a firm but gentle connection, usually through hand placement, to indicate the upcoming moves. The lead must be confident and decisive, providing clear and timely cues to ensure the follow can respond smoothly and gracefully.

The follow, typically the woman, should be responsive and attentive to the lead's cues. While she may have predetermined steps to follow, her focus should be on her partner's signals, adapting to his lead to create a seamless dance. The follow's role is equally important, as she must interpret and execute the lead's intentions, adding fluidity and elegance to the performance.

Effective leading and following techniques are crucial for the success of the dance. The lead should be mindful of their partner's capabilities and comfort, adjusting their cues accordingly. Similarly, the follow should communicate any challenges or preferences to ensure a harmonious routine. Together, through clear communication and practice, they can master the art of leading and following, creating a memorable and enchanting wedding dance that delights their guests.

Dance posture

For a wedding dance that's sure to dazzle, posture is key. Good posture not only makes you look more graceful and elegant but can also help prevent back injuries and improve your overall dance technique. Here are some tips to help you and your partner improve your posture for your special dance:

Head and Neck:

Keep your head held upright with your chin parallel to the floor. Lengthen your neck by stretching it upward, being careful not to lengthen one side more than the other. Avoid thrusting your head forward; instead, think of your neck as an extension of your spine.

Chest and Torso:

Your chest and hips should always be in good, vertical alignment. Imagine your rib cage is being lifted off your hips, lengthening your spine. It's important to maintain normal, comfortable breathing throughout this process.

Pelvis and Hips:

Position your hips to allow for the natural curve of your spine. Hold your pelvis in a midway position, not tucking under or sticking out. When bending your knees, maintain the alignment of your hips and feet to keep your body upright.

Legs:

When your legs are straight, your knees will be positioned directly between your hips and feet. As you bend your knees, focus on lengthening your torso to maintain your posture.

Feet:

Understand your body weight distribution over your feet. In a normal standing position, your body weight should be slightly forward of the middle of your feet, between the heel and the ball of the foot. When in motion, this position will vary depending on the specific movement.

Exercises to Improve Posture:

• Chest and Shoulder Stretch: Lie on your back with arms stretched outward and elbows bent. Squeeze your shoulder blades together without arching your back.
• Butt Bridge: Lie on your back with knees bent and feet on the floor. Squeeze your glutes and push your hips toward the ceiling.
• Core Exercises: Simple Pilates exercises, like crunches, can help strengthen your abdominal muscles and improve posture.

Remember, practice makes perfect! Consciously maintain good posture throughout your day, and you'll soon find it becomes second nature, even during your wedding dance.

Counting and rhythm

"Can't Take My Eyes Off You" is a song with a strong rhythm, as noted by Billboard, that has been used for wedding dances. The song, written by Bob Crewe and Bob Gaudio, was first recorded and released as a single by Frankie Valli in 1967. It became one of his biggest hits, reaching No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100.

The song has a 4/4 time signature, which is commonly used in popular music. This means that each measure or bar contains four beats, and each beat is a quarter note long. The tempo of the song is moderately slow, with a BPM of 74, giving it a romantic and dreamy feel.

The rhythm of the song is fairly straightforward, with a basic 8-count pattern that repeats throughout the verse and chorus. The 8-count pattern can be broken down into two smaller 4-count patterns, which can be useful for choreographing dance moves. Here is the 8-count pattern:

1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8

The sheet music for the song provides the lyrics and musical notation, including the rhythm and structure. The rhythm is indicated by the duration of each note, which can be a whole note, half note, quarter note, or eighth note. The rhythm can also be expressed through the use of rests, which indicate a pause in the music.

The chorus of the song has a slightly different rhythm from the verse, with a more pronounced backbeat. This can be emphasized in the dance choreography by adding accents or syncopated moves on the backbeat.

Overall, the counting and rhythm of "Can't Take My Eyes Off You" provide a solid foundation for a wedding dance. The consistent 8-count pattern makes it easy to choreograph and follow, while the moderate tempo and romantic feel set the perfect tone for a wedding celebration.

Lifts and dips

One popular and simple lift that is often recommended for wedding dances is "The Lottery Lift". This lift is so named because it's like winning the lottery of love by finding your partner. It's not only beautiful but also extremely easy to execute, and almost anyone can do it.

Here's how it works: The person being picked up throws their arms around their partner's neck, while the lifter wraps their arms around the waist of their partner. The lifter then simply picks up their partner in a big bear hug and spins around in place. At the end, they gently slow down and lower their partner's feet back to the ground.

This lift is a great way to end your first dance or highlight a particularly romantic moment in the song. It's also a good idea to practice this lift beforehand to ensure that you and your partner are comfortable with the movement and can execute it smoothly and safely on your wedding day.

Frequently asked questions