Start the Dance

Start the Dance

Start the Dance is a specialist teaching service built around couples preparing a choreographed first dance for their wedding day. The focus is squarely on getting two people who may never have danced before to move together with confidence for a few unforgettable minutes. It suits engaged couples of any ability, including those who cheerfully describe themselves as having two left feet. Everything is tailored to the song you have chosen and the level of dancing you actually want to do.

About Start the Dance

Reviewers repeatedly describe a calm, patient and genuinely enjoyable process, with instructors like Jess, Michelle and Milli putting nervous couples at ease from the very first lesson. The atmosphere leans towards reassurance rather than performance pressure, which is exactly what most self-conscious couples need. It particularly suits people who worry they cannot dance yet still want a routine to be proud of.

Classes & Dance Styles

Lessons are shaped around your wedding song and broken down step by step, so a short but polished routine can be built over just a handful of sessions. Teaching covers timing, framing, simple turns and the little transitions that make a first dance flow rather than feel counted out. Whether you want a gentle sway with a few flourishes or something more choreographed, the routine is matched to your comfort and the time you have before the big day. Private, couple-focused coaching means the pace is entirely yours.

What to Expect on Your First Visit

A first session usually begins with your song and an honest chat about how much dancing you fancy doing, before anything is broken into manageable pieces. Wear comfortable clothes you can move in and shoes similar to what you plan to wear on the day, and simply bring your chosen track. Expect encouragement rather than judgement.

Location & Contact

As a wedding-focused teaching service the sessions are arranged to fit around couples rather than a fixed studio timetable, so it is worth asking about locations and travel when you enquire.

• Phone: +44 20 7183 0717
• Website: http://www.startthedance.co.uk/
• Opening hours:
  • Monday: 9 am-10 pm
  • Tuesday: 9 am-10 pm
  • Wednesday: 9 am-10 pm
  • Thursday: 9 am-10 pm
  • Friday: 9 am-10 pm
  • Saturday: 9 am-10 pm
  • Sunday: 9 am-10 pm

What Dancers Say About Start the Dance

5/5 from 182 Google reviews.

My husband and I had the most amazing experience with Jess from Start the Dance! We always knew we wanted to do a choreographed first dance, although initially we weren't sure how much dancing we could actually do. In only three 90 mins lessons, Jess had taught us 2.5 mins of choreography, and we had a fourth lesson to practice and perfect the details.
We kept our dance a secret from everyone at the wedding and the reaction was just amazing. Our friends and families were amazed and cheered from start to finish.
A positive of doing the dance lessons which we hadn't considered was that it gets y— Beth Corrigan

We're so glad that we chose "Start the Dance" to help us to make our first dance as magical as the bride had dreamed, despite the fact that she was marrying someone who can't dance!
Michelle was such a pleasure to work with and made the entire process painless and stress free from beginning to end. The process was very organic and we created a dance that looked great, and had all the details we wanted, whilst in reality it wasn't too complex to pull off. Michelle never insisted we do any specific thing, and allowed our first dance to unfold and develop into something that fitted us as a couple— Will Green

To start off, my wife and I aren't dancers per se, nor are we people to seek the spotlight – not necessarily a good starting point when planning a first dance.

Enter: Start the Dance and Milli. From the get-go, Milli created an incredibly comfortable environment for our dance lessons. As beginners, we expected a degree of awkwardness in learning our first steps, mixing up moves and stepping on each others feet. However, there was none of it: Milli worked out a great routine based on our selected song (Stolen Dance by Milky Chance) that matched our skill sets without ending up too easy, and th— Thomas Gehlen

Jess taught us our wedding dance for our wedding this July (2022) and we could not be more impressed. The dance she choreographed for us was beautiful, fun, and realistic to our abilities while simultaneously looking very professional. The classes were so much fun too, Jess is so joyful and friendly, we absolutely loved her and were immediately comfortable around her.
We are eternally grateful, she not only made us comfortable learning the dance steps, but she gave us advice about how to cope with anxiety of people watching us etc. She brought out a confidence in us that we did not know we had— Dani

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you learn to dance without a partner?

Many styles can be learned solo, but a first dance is designed for two, so couples usually learn together from the outset. If your partner cannot always attend, it is worth asking whether some individual coaching can be arranged around the routine.

What should I wear to a beginner dance class?

Comfortable clothing you can move freely in is ideal, along with shoes that let you turn without gripping the floor. For wedding preparation, practising in footwear close to your actual wedding shoes helps enormously.

How much does a dance class usually cost?

Wedding dance packages vary depending on the number of lessons and how involved the choreography is. The most reliable way to get a figure is to contact Start the Dance directly with your song and timescale.

Which dance is best for beginners?

For a first dance, a simple routine built to your chosen song is usually the best starting point rather than a formal style. Relaxed ballroom or a gentle sway with a few turns tends to look elegant while staying achievable.

What is the best dance to start as an adult?

Adults often find that a choreographed routine tailored to their ability is far less daunting than joining a formal syllabus. Starting with something matched to your confidence, as Start the Dance does, keeps it enjoyable from the first lesson.

Is dancing good for heart failure?

Gentle movement can be beneficial for many people, but anyone with a heart condition should speak to their doctor before taking up any physical activity. Once cleared, let your instructor know so the pace can be kept comfortable.

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