If you took dance lessons, when is the ideal time to take them? 2-3 months before the wedding? I would guess you would want it to be fresh for the wedding, Also, how many lessons does one generally take? Private or group? We can't dance at all!
Thanks!
jimmysgrl
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Re: Spinoff to dance lesson tipping question
We are going through Arthur Murray and the package they offer I believe is 6 private, 6 group, 2 practice. We start tonight so I'm not sure. It's a good couple of hundred, though and we sort of waited until the last minute because of life events but I would say 2-3 months before so you can start practicing at home.
Beth1210
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Re: Spinoff to dance lesson tipping question
I am taking 3 or 4 with John from ball room dance
we should have started a month ago but what can you do
better late then never- we start next week- 1 month before the wedding
BHW
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Re: Spinoff to dance lesson tipping question
We took our 2-3 months before the wedding also, mainly b/c of procrastination and busy schedules. I'm glad we waited to take them shortly before the wedding b/c it was fresh in our minds and it was also a great way to take our minds off of the stress of wedding planning. The one benefit about taking lessons several months before the wedding would be to learn more than just the basic steps. I think we had 5 or 6 private lessons, 3 or 4 group lessons, and 2 or 3 practice party sessions. We learned the basic steps to 5 or 6 different dances. I live in CT and the places near me were quite expensive, but I'm really glad we took the lessons. We had a great time and didn't just sway from side to side during our first dance.
JanuaryBride06
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Re: Spinoff to dance lesson tipping question
You should definitely go by what the ladies have said. I think it's difficult for a guy to learn how to ballroom dance and remember it because they have to lead so doing it as close the wedding as possible should really help.
Group lessons can be good because you get used to dancing with different people who might be stronger dancers.
Private lessons are the best because you can concentrate on the styles that you want to learn for your wedding.
EMES2006
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Re: Spinoff to dance lesson tipping question
We're going to Arthur Murray for a quick meeting this Friday night. They wouldn't quote me prices over the phone, , so that's why we're going so early (our wedding is 7 months away). We really just want to go now to find out how to add it to our budget. Hopefully we can put off dance lessons til after the new year.
JanuaryBride06
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Re: Spinoff to dance lesson tipping question
Posted by EMES2006
We're going to Arthur Murray for a quick meeting this Friday night. They wouldn't quote me prices over the phone, , so that's why we're going so early (our wedding is 7 months away). We really just want to go now to find out how to add it to our budget. Hopefully we can put off dance lessons til after the new year.
Their wedding packages are expensive, from what I remember. Are you at least getting a free or deeply discounted first lesson, to see if you like it?
glinda_goodwitch
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Re: Spinoff to dance lesson tipping question
Is Arthur Murray everywhere? We live in MD
EMES2006
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Re: Spinoff to dance lesson tipping question
Posted by JanuaryBride06
Posted by EMES2006
We're going to Arthur Murray for a quick meeting this Friday night. They wouldn't quote me prices over the phone, , so that's why we're going so early (our wedding is 7 months away). We really just want to go now to find out how to add it to our budget. Hopefully we can put off dance lessons til after the new year.
Their wedding packages are expensive, from what I remember. Are you at least getting a free or deeply discounted first lesson, to see if you like it?
Our first lesson is $10 per person. I'm not even sure if it's a lesson. The person we spoke to said to wear soft-soled, comfortable shoes, and to bring our wedding song. They will let us know how much 'help' we need and recommend a package based on that. I'm not too crazy about them not quoting prices over the phone for basic packages, but they are so close to where we live, we figured we might as well check it out.
They know it's for our wedding, so as with everything else, once you mention the magic 'W' word, the price skyrockets!
JanuaryBride06
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Re: Spinoff to dance lesson tipping question
Posted by EMES2006
Our first lesson is $10 per person. I'm not even sure if it's a lesson. The person we spoke to said to wear soft-soled, comfortable shoes, and to bring our wedding song. They will let us know how much 'help' we need and recommend a package based on that. I'm not too crazy about them not quoting prices over the phone for basic packages, but they are so close to where we live, we figured we might as well check it out.
They know it's for our wedding, so as with everything else, once you mention the magic 'W' word, the price skyrockets!
What they might do is ask you what type of dances you're interested in and see how you move together. Generally, if you're not familiar with partner dancing, you don't really 'learn' much in that first lesson.
Maybe they'll reduce the price for you if you tell them that you would rather do say 4 private lessons and 6 group and 6 practice lessons? As long as you both practice on your own, you may not need as many of the (more expensive) private lessons.
Come to think of it, when I was a student there, I was allowed to go to as many practice and group lessons as I wanted. I wonder if they'd allow you to do that, too, even with the Wedding package.
EMES2006
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Re: Spinoff to dance lesson tipping question
What they might do is ask you what type of dances you're interested in and see how you move together. Generally, if you're not familiar with partner dancing, you don't really 'learn' much in that first lesson.
Maybe they'll reduce the price for you if you tell them that you would rather do say 4 private lessons and 6 group and 6 practice lessons? As long as you both practice on your own, you may not need as many of the (more expensive) private lessons.
Come to think of it, when I was a student there, I was allowed to go to as many practice and group lessons as I wanted. I wonder if they'd allow you to do that, too, even with the Wedding package.
Thanks so much for the info! I see a lot of posts asking IF couples are taking lessons, but not too many that actually discuss what it's all about. What's the difference between a private lesson and a practice lesson?
JanuaryBride06
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Re: Spinoff to dance lesson tipping question
A private lesson is just the two of you and the instructor for 30-45 minutes. You get all of the attention you need and you can work on anything you choose to concentrate on.
When you go to a practice session, it's in their ballroom. It last for about an hour (I think) and they play all different styles of music so that you can just be there to practice. I used to take lessons alone, so I danced with different partners. You two can do that, too, if you want or you can go together and just practice around the dance floor together.
BHW
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Re: Spinoff to dance lesson tipping question
Thanks so much for the info! I see a lot of posts asking IF couples are taking lessons, but not too many that actually discuss what it's all about. What's the difference between a private lesson and a practice lesson?
Every dance studio is different. At the place where we took lessons in CT, the private lesson was 45 mins with just the instructor. We chose what we wanted to work on during that lesson. During the group lessons, the instructor usually picked the type of dance we'd work on. There was only 1 other person or couple in our group lessons so it was essentially another private lesson. Our dance studio had practice parties every Friday night for 2 - 2 1/2 hours. They played songs for many different types of dances. Sometimes the instructors or someone else at the practice session would dance with you and sometimes you'd dance with your FI. It was a good way to practice what you learned and figure out how to move on a dance floor that has lots of other people on it.
JanuaryBride06
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Re: Spinoff to dance lesson tipping question
All dance studios are different, this is true, but I'm talking about Arthur Murray. At AM studios, they have some group lessons and practice sessions during the week.
