The Next Step Co. specialises in helping couples prepare for their wedding first dance, and the gratitude in its reviews speaks volumes. Clients describe arriving with no dance background, sometimes only weeks before the big day, and leaving feeling confident and capable in front of their guests. One couple worked with the team on a bespoke routine that wove ballroom, salsa, dips and lifts around a song of their own choosing. With more than fifty warm reviews, it has become a trusted name for first-dance choreography.
The focus here is personal, tailored tuition rather than large group classes, which suits couples who want their dance built around them. Instructors are praised for being patient and reassuring with people who describe themselves as anything but natural dancers, including at least one client who is registered blind. That attentiveness is the thread running through the feedback.
The core service is wedding first-dance preparation, from choreographing a routine to rehearsing it until it feels natural. Sessions can be arranged to suit the couple, and reviewers mention lessons taking place at their own home as well as in a studio. Beyond weddings, the teaching draws on ballroom and Latin styles such as salsa, so couples can borrow the right flavour for their song. Because the work is bespoke, it is best to make contact well ahead of the date to allow time to rehearse.
For a first lesson, bring the song you have in mind and wear shoes you can turn and pivot in comfortably. It helps to have a rough idea of the mood you want, though the instructors are used to shaping a dance from scratch. There is no need to have danced before.
Wedding dance tuition tends to travel to couples, so location is often flexible around where you are based. The personal, home-friendly approach means you can prepare in surroundings that feel relaxed.
Cannot thank Yvette and the FABULOUS Emma in The Next Step Co. for all of their help and magic giving myself and my husband dance lessons on the run up to our wedding! They made us feel super confident and capable when neither of us are natural dancers! With the 3 dance class and struggling to get dates in the diary on the run up they were so accommodating and the dance went superbly! It's fair to say we had an absolute ball and with a bit of practice on the run up to the wedding day we felt SO much happier enjoying the moment when we knew what we were up to. Wanted to wait to get some photos — Katherine Blewitt
We reached out to Yvette at the Next Step Company 3 or 4 weeks before the wedding day, as I (groom) am registered. blind and started to get nervous about dancing in front of so many people with no dance experience. We booked 3 sessions with Yvette at our flat, and already after session 1, I had gained so much confidence. Yvette is a wonderful teacher with so much patience and attention to detail. Not only did she tailor the dance to our wishes and abilities, but she was fantastic at explaining the different moves and positions in a way that both my partner and I could understand. She also spen— Reece Finnegan
We got in touch with The Next Step Co to help us choreograph our first dance. We had a pretty unique song in mind and Frances, our dance guru, married our song with the most beautiful dance we could have ever dreamed of. She mixed in ballroom, salsa, dips and lifts and gave us great tips on how to go the little extra mile to give our first dance the flair it deserved. Fran’s choreography was approachable yet also incredibly engaging throughout and her humour really got us feeling extra comfortable during our classes. We opted for 6 classes and have zero regrets! Coupling that with our own prac— Naima Vogt
Our dance lessons with Emma were one of the best investments we made in the lead-up to our wedding! We were pretty nervous and unsure about a choreographed dance, but the whole process was easy & enjoyable from start to finish, we had so much fun dancing and laughing in our living room every week and by the time our wedding came around we felt totally happy and confident in our routine and LOVED performing it for our friends and family.
Emma was such a ray of sunshine, and not only did she create a beautiful dance that totally followed our brief, she helped us reach a level of performance we w— Clementine Hollyer
A short introductory or private lesson is the easiest way in, with the hold and basic timing taught at your own pace. For a wedding dance, couples often skip straight to a routine tailored to their chosen song.
The waltz is a popular first dance because its gentle three-count rhythm feels natural and romantic. For weddings, the choice usually follows the tempo and mood of the song you have picked.
You can learn many styles solo, though a wedding first dance is naturally practised as a couple. Private tuition means you and your partner learn together, step by step.
Comfortable clothing and shoes you can move and turn in are all you need. If you plan to wear particular wedding shoes, practising in something similar later on helps you get used to them.
Costs depend on whether you book private sessions or a package, so it is best to ask directly. Wedding preparation is often arranged as a set of lessons leading up to the day.
For a first dance, a simple waltz or a gentle rumba often works beautifully, as both flatter beginners. The instructors can suggest a style that matches your song and comfort level.