Wedding Lessons
Wedding Dance Lessons at Ballroom College are for those who:
Want a choreographed first dance and are budget savvy
Want to learn a basic first dance or something more elaborate and choreographed
Want a regular date night (yes, we’re BYOB!) with their Fiancé
Want to have a foundation for dancing with their parent/child
A Great First Dance Is Possible!
If you are looking to do more than just sway during your first dance, we can help! We can simply help you get more comfortable with partner dancing in general or help you learn a beautiful, choreographed first dance.
Let us know your song, your timeline, and your budget and we will let you know how far we can take you.
Don’t wait until a few weeks before your wedding to get started with lessons! Dancing, like any other new activity, takes time to learn. Contrary to popular belief, looking and feeling natural and comfortable comes with time- not natural ability.
Start lessons sooner rather than later and use your remaining time before the wedding the practice and take care of all your other wedding details (there will be plenty!).
Cost: $85 per 45 minute lesson depending on how many lessons you purchase at a time.
Availability: As apprentices are the ones to teach these private lessons, we must ensure we have someone available! In the event an apprentice is not available, we recommend you take the First Dance Prep Semi-Private Class or book a lesson with a fully certified instructor through Ballroom Dance Chicago. You can view BDC’s schedule here.
If you have further questions, please see the FAQs below, which include pricing breakdowns and recommendations based on your needs and goals.
“We chose Ballroom College because the pricing fit into our wedding budget. Our first dance was a hit and we couldn’t be happier with our experience! We’re coming back to learn how to Salsa!”
FAQs
+Why do your lessons cost so much less than at other studios?
+How much do wedding lessons cost?
+Will my first dance be choreographed?
+How many lessons should I take?
+Can I take lessons with my parent(s) for our dance together?
+Can my first dance include other styles outside of ballroom, Latin and swing?
+How much can I learn from a teacher-in-training?
Why do your lessons cost so much less than at other studios?
Our mission is to make partner dancing accessible. We can do this by creating the next generation of skilled teachers and by making dance lessons financially accessible.
Classes and lessons at Ballroom College are discounted because they are taught by the Apprentices of Ballroom Dance Chicago. While they have more than enough dance knowledge to begin teaching, they are still working on how to connect and convey that knowledge to many different types of people.
We encourage you to see your time with us a mutual learning experience, shared with your instructor. It is natural to fumble a bit as we learn a new skill. Please be gracious and generous with yourself and your teacher in the learning process!
How much do wedding lessons cost?
Private wedding lessons are one-on-one with an apprentice. They have a flat rate of $100 per lesson.
First Dance Prep Classes are $80/class. You are welcome to start with either a private lesson or the semi-private class. As long as you start with plenty of time, you’ll get the most out of both offerings.
Private lessons with a certified instructor are offered through Ballroom Dance Chicago. Package prices range from $135-$160/lesson.
Will my first dance be choreographed?
This depends on what you’re looking for!
Yes, we can choreograph your first dance. For simplicity, this means we can create simple or more complex patterns to the flow of your song.
No, we don’t need to choreograph your first dance. If you’re just looking to move better than a sway and learn a few moves that fit to your song, we can do that!
We want to be clear. This second option is harder to pull off than it seems! The way to look natural at something you are not experienced in is to do it more often. More lessons don’t mean more choreography or harder choreography (though it can if that is your goal!) It means more time with with a teacher who can help you feel you more comfortable and confident.
How many lessons should I take?
The number of lessons you need will depend on a combination of your goals, natural talent, experience, how long your song is, and how much you practice. Are bare minimum recommend is that you start with at least five lessons.
Can I take lessons with my parent(s) for our dance together?
You absolutely can take lessons for your parent dances!
You are welcome to take either a private lesson or the semi-private first dance prep classes.
Can my first dance include other styles outside of ballroom, Latin, or swing?
We are a Ballroom, Latin, and Swing studio and can only teach you within the following styles:
Bachata
Cha-cha
Country Western Two-Step
East Coast Swing & Lindy Hop
Foxtrot
Hustle
Night club two-step
Rumba
Salsa
Tango
Waltz/Viennese Waltz
West Coast Swing
How much can I learn from an Apprentice?
You can absolutely still learn from a new teacher! All apprentices have prior experience in dance, fitness, music, or all of the above! While it is not a requirement of the school, most also have some amount of teaching experience. So even though our Apprentices are still progressing in their vocabulary and knowledge of partner dances, they are already excellent movement practitioners. Additionally, every lesson is supervised by a Lead Teacher who will ensure you learn a lot and that the Assistant Teacher remains on track.
By the time Apprentices are beginning to teach, they have passed several tests in foundational knowledge on how to lead and follow in multiple dance styles. They are also studying many hours a week so their knowledge will progress much more quickly relative to yours.
What is your cancellation policy?
We require 24 hours notice to reschedule. Otherwise, you will still be charged for your lesson.
By signing up for a lesson, not only are you reserving your instructors time and studio space, but a teacher-in-training is counting on gaining teaching experience to further their education. With 24+ hours, we have enough time to attempt to re-fill that lesson slot.
What is your expiration and refund policy?
All lessons expire after one year from the purchase date. If you are unable to use your lessons, you can contact the studio manager to discuss transferring the lessons to someone else. This decision will be made at the studio manager’s discretion.
If you have purchased 60+ lessons at one time, your lessons will expire after 18 months.
We do not offer refunds for unused lessons.