Lifts. Spins. Twirls. Dips.
Learning to dance for your wedding has never been more fun.
Here’s How It Works…
book lessons
After you submit a Get Started form on my website, you’ll receive an email with a link to my calendar to book your lessons. When you finish booking, you’ll receive an invoice. A 50% deposit is due within 72 hours to reserve your lessons and the remainder is due in 30 days.
learn the basics
Once you’ve paid your deposit, you’ll be enrolled in a beginner online wedding dance tutorial of your choice, to be completed BEFORE your private lessons. (Most tutorials take about two hours to complete and can be broken up into short learning sessions.) This will give us a strong partner dancing foundation to build on, reducing the amount of private lessons you’ll need.
add the fun stuff
At your private lessons, we’ll review all the steps and/or choreography you learned in advance at home. Then, it’s time for (even more!) fun stuff — more twirls, different dips, maybe an easy lift? Most importantly, we’ll customize your dance to fit you as a couple and make your wedding dance dreams a reality.
Now, let’s explore
Which Package Is Right For You?
CHAMPAGNE & CAVIAR (5 Lessons) - $699
Recommended for couples who want to master an advanced Dancing With The Stars-style routine, or a mashup dance with multiple songs or styles of dance.
book lessons | five (5) private 60-minute dance lessons at my Charlotte, NC studio
learn the basics | includes enrollment in First Dance 101 or your choice of custom choreography online tutorial ($149 value)
add the fun stuff | add on four or more advanced steps and techniques to personalize your dance; or dedicate two lessons to the Father Daughter dance or Mother Son dance
wine & cheese (4 Lessons) - $620
Recommended for couples who want master a simple to moderately advanced routine, and/or want the insurance of an extra lesson to use for more practice, parent dances, or reception dancing.
book lessons | four (4) private 60-minute dance lessons at my Charlotte, NC studio
learn the basics | includes enrollment in First Dance 101 or your choice of custom choreography online tutorial ($149 value)
add the fun stuff | add on three or four more advanced steps and techniques to personalize your dance; or dedicate one lesson to parent dances or reception dancing practice
Coffee & cake (3 LESSONS) - $525
Recommended for couples who just want to look like they know what they are doing, but not get too complicated. This package is the sweet spot for most couples and my most popular package.
book lessons | three (3) private 60-minute dance lessons at my Charlotte, NC studio
learn the basics | includes enrollment in First Dance 101 or your choice of custom choreography online tutorial ($149 value)
add the fun stuff | add on one or two more advanced steps and techniques to personalize your dance; lessons will focus primarily on the first dance
punch & Mints (2 LESSONS) - $415
Recommended for self-motivated couples who already feel comfortable dancing together, whether or not you’ve had formal instruction. For absolute beginners, I recommend at least three private lessons.
book lessons | two (2) private 60-minute dance lessons at Charlotte, NC studio
learn the basics | includes enrollment in First Dance 101 or your choice of custom choreography online tutorial ($149 value)
add the fun stuff | perfect the steps, maybe add a simple twirl, dip or lift, and/or receive feedback on technique, performance, etc.
First Dance. Check. Parent Dance. Check.
No Longer Feeling Stressed Out. Check. Check. Check.
“I can't say enough great things about Alex. Initially, we weren't sure we even wanted to do first dance lessons. After just one class with Alex, we were so glad we did. She is a beautiful person that takes a genuine interest in you, your abilities (or lack thereof in our case, lol), and ultimately, your goals for your big day. She made every class fun (we looked forward to it every week) and made the dance moves simple, but still was able to make it look like we knew what we were doing. She learns your vibe and style and seamlessly integrates it into a beautiful tailor-made package that fits you as a couple. She is so talented, kind, and thoughtful.
I enjoyed working on our first dance with her so much, I even asked if she could choreograph my father/daughter dance last minute. She is a busy lady, but she made it happen (because she's that awesome). I'm so grateful she did because our dance was a HIT at the wedding. It meant so much to my dad too. If you're thinking of booking Alex for your first dance or any other special dance, do it! You won't regret it! Thanks for everything, Alex! <3”
- Carly & Ryan
Tell me more about how we will
Learn The Basics At Home
My online tutorials that all private students receive access to grew out of the need to make the most of the time my couples had to devote to dance lessons. Why spend valuable in-person time working on basics that can easily be taught through online lessons, in a few short hours, without having to drive across town during rush hour?
Most private students enroll in my OG tutorial, First Dance 101. This is also the course you’ll be enrolled in if you haven’t decided on a song when you book lessons, or if you are participating in a Group Workshop.
If I already have a custom choreography tutorial created to your first dance song (woohoo for you!), you’ll be able to choose that from a drop-down menu when you pay your deposit and you’ll be enrolled in it instead of First Dance 101.
Most couples report that they spend about two hours working through their chosen tutorial before the first lesson and come in feeling more confident and eager to try more advanced techniques.
No matter which tutorial you enroll in,
You’ll Feel More Confident Within The First 20 Minutes
These are the foundational basics you’ll learn at home:
How to hold each other properly;
How to move to your music, and look more natural while you do it;
How to do basic footwork that moves you around the floor;
How to twirl gracefully;
How to dip without falling over;
And how to put it all together into a beginner-friendly, natural-looking and customizable routine that we can build on during our private lessons together
Hey there!
I Can’t Wait To Meet You, IRL
Meet Alex
Hiiiiiii! That’s me over there, holding my daughter, June, who was not at all interested in taking photos by the beach on vacation. That’s my husband, Jordan, who you’ll see dancing with me in our videos. He’s not a professional dancer—he teaches piano lessons—but he’s the best supportive partner a gal could ask for. (Not pictured: baby Rilla, who we welcomed to the world in spring 2023!)
I’ve been teaching wedding dance lessons since 2014 and I absolutely love what I do. To help you express your love through dance, to be a tiny part of your wedding day, is one of my greatest joys. If I can make you feel confident and relaxed enough to actually have fun during your wedding dance, I’ve done my job. I’m in the business of removing stress—not adding to it!
Over the years, I’ve taught more than 1,000 couples personally. And I still firmly believe anyone can learn to dance for their wedding.
Bring on the beginners and your two left feet! I can’t wait to show you how fun this can be.
What is it like to learn your wedding dance at
First Dance Charlotte?
Private lessons that are actually private—it’s just you and your partner (and me!) learning to dance in a non-judgmental, cheerful and light-filled space
Lesson packages include exactly what you need to learn your wedding dance and nothing extra that you don’t have the time for, such as weekly group classes or dances that are often “rolled into” a traditional ballroom studio lesson package
Access to online lessons & demonstrations to build a foundation and your confidence before coming in-person lessons, meaning we can dive into the fun stuff during the very first private lesson or group workshop
I’ll film you dancing at the end of each lesson so you know exactly what to practice at home, meaning you’ll make progress faster and need fewer lessons overall
We’ll cover extras you never even thought about—what to talk to your DJ or band about concerning your dance, how to get the best photos/videos, and more
We’ll probably laugh a lot and you might even leave feeling better than when you walked in—there’s a special kind of magic in holding your loved one and dancing to a meaningful song. You just have to experience it to know…
During the stress of wedding planning,
Learning To Dance Together Is The Fun Part
“So happy we used Alex to choreograph our first dance. She is such a sweetheart and really knows her stuff. It was such a fun thing for my husband and I to do together leading up to the wedding. So much wedding stuff is stressful and can make you lose sight of the event being about you and your spouse! Taking the lessons and rehearsing together at home was something that made us feel like it was just about celebrating us as a couple and made us laugh and have fun together leading up to the big day. And we looked great doing it once the big day came! Our guests were so impressed! Thanks so much, Alex!”
- Tricia & Adam
Learning something new as an adult can be intimidating
This Is A Safe Space For All Couples
I understand:
It’s not easy to be an adult beginner, so I approach each couple with empathy and I will be your biggest cheerleader as you make progress and gain confidence together
You might have been telling yourself that you are “not a dancer” your whole life. This belief is often conditioned, like how we might say, “I’m not good at math,” and is something you can try to let go of as soon as you start dancing. Because as long you’re dancing, you’re technically a dancer. Boom.
Not everyone wants to do a “Dancing With The Stars” style dance, so that’s why we start with the foundational basics that will make you look and feel natural first, since looking like you know what you are doing is usually high up on the list of what my students hope to achieve with their lessons.
And some couples want to do a show-stopping or jaw-dropping performance, and I’m all for it if that’s your dream! You may want to book four or five lessons and really commit to practicing before and in between your lessons if you want to attempt something spectacular.
You want your dance to reflect you as a couple, and I am here. for. that! I welcome all couples to my studio, whatever your background, because I believe everyone deserves to have a beautiful wedding dance.
Alex was a perfect dance instructor for our first wedding dance. I am not a naturally good dancer, but Alex communicated well, walked us through the steps, and by the time our wedding came, our first dance was the highlight of the wedding. She even helped us use my wife’s gymnastics background and incorporate a flip into our first dance. If you are looking for an instructor who takes her craft seriously and who will ensure you exceed everyone’s expectations, make sure to try First Dance Charlotte.
- Anthony & Alicia
What to do if you waited until the last minute (eek!)
Learn Quickly With These Options
one & done
Because all of my private lesson packages include an online tutorial that teaches you the basics of a simple & natural wedding dance, many couples can get away with just the one follow-up lesson (see Rachel & Anthony’s testimonial below.) This is a great option for couples who reach out very close to their wedding. If you can only find one time on my calendar, book it. One lesson is infinitely better than no lessons at all. total cost | $289
cram for the test
Group workshops are a fun, efficient and affordable way to prepare for your first dance in one two-hour weekend session. This option includes access to the First Dance 101 online tutorial to learn the basics. At the workshop, limited to just four couples, we’ll add the fun stuff as a group, and you’ll walk away with a complete routine. total cost | $250
do it yourself
Hey, did I mention that I have online tutorials that will teach you the basics of a simple & natural wedding dance? ;-) But I should probably also mention that I have 50+ first dance songs to choose from and my library is always growing. If you want to look good during your dance, but you’re short on time or budget, this is the option for you. total cost | starting at $149
Explore my library of
Beginner-Friendly Wedding Dance Tutorials
You’ll have access to your choice of wedding dance tutorials below when you book lessons.
Don’t see your song? You’ll enroll in First Dance 101. (wink)
From absolute beginner to totally nailing your first dance…
If These Couples Can Do It, You Can Too
Now, tell me all the things
And We’ll Get This (Dance) Party Started
Frequently Asked Questions:
Private Lessons
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I can teach just about any style of dance. For a simple, classic wedding dance, you may learn a variety of styles including a traditional ballroom dance (Foxtrot, Waltz, Rumba, etc.) and/or social dance styles (Swing, Salsa, Carolina Shag, etc.) Sometimes the style of dance is dictated by the music you choose, but most wedding dances I teach/choreograph include the most natural-looking steps from different styles of dance.
Because of my dance background, I am also able to teach and choreograph mashup dances inspired by dances from music videos, movies or musical theater to trending dances on TikTok.
If you’ve seen something online that you want to include in your dance, we can certainly try! It is helpful to have an idea of what you are hoping to learn so be sure to include a link when you fill out the Get Started form.
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Yes, happily!
FYI, there is a short section in each tutorial that offers suggestions for modifying some of the steps based on who wants to lead and who wants to follow. Also, if both partners want to twirl or dip, that can also be easily accomplished just by switching roles while you learn each step. I can also help with those modifications during your private lessons.
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My calendar is only open for booking about six months in advance, but it’s never too early to submit your information through my Get Started form. Once I have your information in my contact system, I’ll be able to reach out when it’s time for you to book lessons your lessons.
Many couples begin their private lessons two to three months before their wedding, but you can certainly begin earlier and space out your lessons over several months. And if you are in the home stretch before your wedding (six weeks or less), and you haven’t booked lessons, don’t freak out! You still have lots of time to learn a dance!
Can you get away from work at lunchtime for one lesson? With all of my packages including access to an online tutorial that teaches you the basics of a simple, classic, first dance, you may only need one lesson to receive feedback and polish your dance. If you put in the work BEFORE your lesson, I promise you’ll see the results.
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This is a really common situation and I would love to help you if I can.
You have a couple options:
1) You can enroll in an online tutorial and learn separately with your respective partners as the “stand-in.” This is kind of a two or three-for-one deal. For example, “Dad” goes through the tutorial with their partner and “Daughter” learns with her future spouse. Then when you have a chance to be together, even if it’s not until the week of the wedding, you can just do one or two practice sessions, and it should be like you’ve been dancing together the whole time.
2) If you can arrange a time for the out-of-town partner to be in town, and it aligns with my schedule, you are welcome to book the private follow-up lessons. Sometimes this will need to be on a weekend, so please explain your situation on the Get Started form. It is usually helpful to have a longer lead time for this scenario, so don’t wait to reach out.
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If you’ve paid a deposit or in full and you decide you no longer want to take lessons…
You may cancel lessons up to 30 days before a lesson for a full refund of the cancelled lesson(s) minus the cost of the online tutorial. Please contact me directly to discuss.
If you need to reschedule a lesson for whatever reason, you must do so through my booking website within 48 hours of the scheduled lesson or you will forfeit the lesson.
Because I primarily work with wedding couples who are also constrained by their wedding dates, it can sometimes be difficult to find times to reschedule into, especially during peak wedding season from March to October.
So in order to not have to forfeit lessons, I would ask that you try to keep all of your scheduled lessons on the calendar once you book them.
If I have to reschedule a lesson due to an issue on my end, I will work with you to find a suitable make-up time that works for both of us. If we can’t find a time, I will refund you for the missed lesson.
Thank you to my gorgeous couples I’ve featured on this page for choosing me and graciously sharing their photos & experience:
Carly & Ryan by @stephaniebaileyphotography; Tricia & Adam by @kristinbyrumphotography; Anthony & Alicia by @secondshotsphotography; Rachel & Anthony by @benlauphoto; Jaclyn & Matt by alexandersouthnc; Emily & Jeffrey by @elizabethlargephotography; Ana & Nick by @downsouthmedianc; Kirsten & Chris by @robertmitchellsmaine