Can you recommend music ideas?
Yes. Most music stores have CD's that contain wedding favorites. For my video, I used a CD called "Now and Forever" (timeless wedding songs) put out by Rhino Entertainment Group (www.rhino.com). This CD contains the classic waltz, "Can I have this dance (for the rest of my life)" by Anne Murray. Rather than picking out the music first, you could try out the dances first and then select a song that fits the dance you like best.

My boyfriend may be difficult to train. Do you think your video will work?
I think so. These are truly easy, field-tested patterns specially selected for their sure-fire success. My video starts out by teaching only one step for each dance. Dancing that one step over and over may be all that you (or your boyfriend) will be able to achieve (but that's better than most people can do). The basic step danced well will impress most folks. If your boyfriend can do the Electric Slide, he can learn these dances. Teaching is performed by the follow the leader approach: just watch your television and "follow the leader." It's easier than learning a line dance.

What type of patterns do you teach?
Note: we do not teach anything extremely elaborate or complicated. Why? Because it's better to dance a basic figure well than to dance a complicated pattern and mess it up. Wedding day has enough stress without having to worry about messing up the dance while everybody is watching. A simple box step waltz pattern danced well is elegant and it will impress even a dance teacher.

• The One Step. The "one step" is a type of slow dance that moves around with the music. When you watch most guys slow dance, all they do is stand in one place, occasionally shifting their weight, usually not in time to the music. The "one step" is a "jazzed up" slow dance where we show you how to move around and rotate your dance as you slow dance. It also employs a step and weight change to each beat of the music so that you are now truly dancing to the music rather than just periodically shifting weight. We also show a dip and a pivoting revolve step where you pivot on a spot.
• The Waltz. We teach a simple box step pattern and then show how to move this box pattern around the floor. It's easy but it looks great. Gentlemen: you can impress your mother in law, grandmother, and everybody else with this. Also, it's easy. We go on to show a lady's turn in this step.
• The Foxtrot. We show the same basic box step pattern as with the waltz and we show you how to move this pattern around the floor. It's almost identical to the waltz pattern except that it uses a rhythm pattern of slow, quick, quick, slow rather than 1,2,3; 1,2,3.

Which dance do you recommend?
Personally, I think the waltz is the best all around wedding dance. First of all, it's known as the "dance of romance." Second, it has timeless elegance and class. Third, it's easy to hear and easy to learn. Fourth, it will impress all of the older folks. My next pick would be the one step. Guy's, if you dance a nice waltz with your bride's mother and grandmother, you'll be in like Flynn.

Free Advice
Since part of the mission of The Dance Store is to promote good partner dancing and to make good dance instruction affordable, I'm offering the following free advice. Whether you buy my tape or not or whether you go to a dance studio, keep in mind the following:

There's an old saying among dance teachers: "It's not what you do, it's how you do it." Even if you dance just a basic step, the most important thing is to make that step look really good. Specifically, dance it with good posture and good frame with your chin up and your shoulders back and low. Guy's, don't let your elbows collapse to your sides. Convey a look of complete confidence and don't look at your feet. Step boldly with confidence rather than tentatively. In other words, dance in a grand, majestic manner. Even a simple box step waltz pattern, when danced majestically, will look great. You may smile at your partner while dancing. Avoid looking like a scared, trapped animal. Truly, the secret to looking great lies in the details discussed above, not in the steps you choose. Also, three minutes or so is a long time to be dancing a solo. Have the D.J. or band leader fade the song out or invite other dancers to the floor after the first 90 seconds of the big, "first dance." During that 90 seconds, give the impression that you own the place. Attitude goes a long way. Practice ahead of time and count to yourself during the entire dance. Good luck!

Final Comments
I think it helps a relationship when a couple can dance well together. These three dances are "foundation dances" and you may benefit from learning all three, even if you chose not to use any of them at your wedding. Knowing these dances can come in really handy for general social dancing.