When a journalist from The New York Times emails you wanting to discuss father-daughter dances, you email her back…

After several phone calls, one photo shoot and lots of sleepless nights fretting about how it was all going to turn out — I actually don’t love it when there is too much attention on me versus my students — the article came out on Father’s Day online and IN PRINT!

“Take my hand, take my whole life too. For I can’t help falling in love with you…”

Ahhhhh, so pretty! So romantic! So many feelings captured in just two lines of this iconic first dance song!

There is a reason that Can’t Help Falling In Love is consistently one of the most popular first dance songs at my private wedding dance studio each year.

And also why so many of my online students choose my beginner-friendly wedding dance tutorial to this song!

Andy Grammar has become one of the most popular artists for first dance songs in the past couple of years. Dare I say it, but he’s kind of like an Ed Sheeran — multiple, really good options for first dance songs that are not only beautiful but fun to dance to.

Here are some of my favorite Andy Grammar songs for your first dance.

I’m starting a new series on my blog of “First Dance Inspiration” posts, featuring my gorgeous students and the wedding dance choreography that I am particularly proud of. I’ll be sharing videos or photos of first dances that I love. If you want to see more, jump to the bottom of this post and subscribe to my email list, or follow me on Instagram or YouTube.

Now, without further ado, the following video is of Andrew and Dani’s first dance to Young And Beautiful by Lana Del Ray…

Ah, Valentine’s Day.

Normally a day when couples get dressed up and head out to fancy dinners combined with movies, shows, performances, wine tasting, cooking classes… as long as it’s romantic and/or fun, I was all for it.

Pre-COVID that is…

Keep reading to learn about my alternative ideas for a romantic Valentine’s Day activity at home. (Hint: it involves dancing in your kitchen.)

So you love “Beyond” by Leon Bridges and are considering dancing to this song for your first dance. Join the club!

Beyond was one of 2020’s most popular first dance songs at my wedding dance studio and online. Earlier this year, I shared a video on YouTube of one of my 2019 couples dancing to this song and the feedback has been so positive! I even received multiple requests to create an online tutorial based on this dance.

I’m happy to announce that I’ve released my twelfth and thirteenth (!!) custom choreography wedding first dance tutorials to two beautiful first dance songs, I Get To Love You by Ruelle and Enchanted by Taylor Swift. Watch the choreography videos to see the full dances, after the jump.

I’m so excited to share that I was recently interviewed by Jenn and Steve Van Elk of the Wedded Podcast. We had so much fun chatting about all things “first dance” — how to navigate first dance lessons during the pandemic, how to prepare for your first dance, my favorite first dance songs, and so, so much more. I hope you’ll give this podcast a listen to learn more about me and my teaching philosophy.

Click read more for links to the podcast.

Have you heard the news?

Apparently, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry actually danced to a different first dance song then previously reported. (WHAT?!)

My thoughts on both songs, as well as links to listen, after the jump.

Are you considering dancing to “Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You” by Frankie Valli for your wedding first dance? It’s a great choice for a first dance because it’s romantic, fun and exciting and the choreography possibilities are nearly endless!

I’ve worked with a lot of couples from beginners to more advanced students, and for two lessons to eight, to create first dance choreography to this 1960s classic love song. Check out the video of my students, Shelley and Robert, dancing to this song.

First Dance Charlotte now has a YouTube channel where I post videos of my students’ first dances, as well as wedding dance tutorials. Check it out and subscribe!

Happy Anniversary to my reluctant dance partner, Jordan. Check out a fun video of us dancing to Barry White’s “Can’t Get Enough Of Your Love, Babe” after the jump.

When you hear the lyrics, “you’re just too good to be true...can’t take my eyes off of you...,” who else immediately thinks of the scene from “Ten Things I Hate About You” where Heath Ledger serenades Julia Stiles over the PA system during soccer practice? 🙋‍♀️

It would be impossible to come up with ten things to hate about this first dance song! Keep reading for my recommendation as well as photographic inspiration for those of you considering this song for your first dance.

Have you been dreaming of a first dance where you and your partner float gracefully around the dance floor Disney princess style? Or maybe you want to get the party started with an energetic and less traditional song choice (I’m looking at you, St. Paul and the Broken Bones!) Either way, a choreographed dance is a great way to kick off the reception and create memories to last a lifetime.

Choreography doesn’t have to be elaborate or scary, I promise! Follow the link to check out my top five reasons to learn a choreographed first dance.

Some wedding dance lifts are super simple to pull off and are a great way to end your first dance or highlight a particularly beautiful moment in your first dance song. They also look amazing in wedding photography! Keep reading to learn how to incorporate an easy, yet beautiful wedding lift into your first dance.

It’s always exciting to win an award, especially when it has “Hall of Fame” in the title. I always knew I would make it big one day. ;-) Thanks again to all the lovely couples who reviewed me and thus nominated me for this award. I couldn’t have done it without you!