Your wedding first dance: how do you go about it?

For many couples, the first dance (openingsdans) is the first moment at their wedding when all eyes are on them. Some just want to sway together; others want a real choreography. And many couples have never danced a step together.

In this article I set out what dance schools in the Netherlands and Belgium advise; we looked at their websites in October 2026. It is a starting point, not a fixed recipe. Every couple is different, so always discuss your plans with the teacher.

Where do you start with a first dance?

With the question of what kind of dance you have in mind. After that you choose the dance, the song and the school.

A few things to discuss together:

• What feeling do you want to convey? Calm and romantic, or cheerful and full of energy?
• How long should the dance last? A whole four-minute song is a lot to fill. A Canadian dance school calls under two minutes ideal; you can have a song shortened or invite the guests onto the floor after a while.
• How much space is there? Dances like the waltz travel around the floor and need room. On a small floor, dances that stay more in one place work better.
• How much time do you have to learn? That partly determines what is feasible.

Which dance do you choose for your first dance?

There is no required choice. Calm and classic, more energetic, or your own choreography.

Calm and classic. A slow waltz or a foxtrot makes an elegant, romantic first dance. Rumba is also mentioned for couples who want it slow and sensual.

More energetic. Salsa, merengue or swing suit couples who want to keep it cheerful. According to the same Canadian dance school, faster dances usually take more time before you feel comfortable in them.

Your own choreography. A dance made to measure, to your own song. A Flemish dance school told the Belgian broadcaster VRT that couples can choose a custom choreography or a classic dance with an extra, such as a lift. You can also start slowly and switch to a faster song halfway; then you do learn two dances.

Do you already dance? If you have done salsa or bachata together, it makes sense to build on that.

Which music do you choose for the first dance?

A song with a clear, steady beat is the easiest to learn.

Songs with tempo changes, or a medley of several songs, generally take more classes. Choose music you both love, but also listen to whether you can hear the beat well. If in doubt, play the song to the teacher before you start.

How many classes do you need for a first dance?

It varies. Most of the Dutch and Belgian dance schools we looked at mention four to six private lessons.

We looked at thirteen schools offering first-dance lessons, spread across the Netherlands and Flanders. Their advice and packages ranged from a minimum of three lessons to ten lessons including choreography. One school distinguishes by experience: four to six lessons without dance experience, often three to four with experience. A few Latin schools don't name a fixed number and plan as many lessons as needed.

These are usually private lessons of 45 minutes to an hour. Packages at ballroom schools (stijldansen) cost roughly 180 to 700 euros; Latin schools with a custom choreography were between roughly 600 and 1,750 euros.

Keep in mind that this is advice from schools that sell these lessons themselves. Ask a school near you what they think is feasible for the two of you.

When do you start lessons?

The schools that mention a time frame usually advise two to four months before the wedding.

Their advice ranged from at least four weeks for a simple dance to three or four months. One school asks you to sign up at least ten weeks in advance. For a complicated choreography, or if you have no experience at all, starting earlier is wise. The idea behind it: with one lesson a week you have time in between to practise at home, so it sinks in.

Private lessons or group classes?

For your own choreography, private lessons are the obvious choice. A group course can be a useful extra if you have plenty of time.

In a private lesson the teacher can tailor the dance to your song and your level. A beginners' course in a group helps if you want to learn the basics of a style. Many Latin schools also offer first-dance lessons or wedding workshops, for example in salsa or bachata.

How do you make it easier for yourself?

Practise in your wedding outfit, practise at home, and keep the dance achievable.

• Practise in your wedding outfit. A long dress or train, a fitted jacket and smooth-soled shoes change how you move. Practise a few times in your real shoes and clothes, or something close to them.
• Practise at home. Even a short practice together in the living room between lessons helps.
• Keep it achievable. A simple dance you both know well looks better than a difficult dance where you are busy counting.
• Think about other dances. Do you also want to dance with parents or witnesses? Then include that in your planning.

Where can you find lessons for your first dance?

On Baila Discover you can see which schools teach each style in each town. Have a look at ballroom dancing, salsa classes, dance schools in Rotterdam or dance schools in Utrecht. If you have never danced before, read your first dance class and how much do dance classes cost too.

Sources

Websites of dance schools offering first-dance lessons, checked on 10 October 2026 (number of lessons, when to start, price):

• Dansschool Bruinewoud, Wezep: https://www.dansschoolbruinewoud.nl/openingsdans (in Dutch)
• Passion2Dance, Best: https://www.passion2dance.nl/openingsdans/ (in Dutch)
• Dansacademie Ri-Jo, Hellevoetsluis: https://www.ri-jo.nl/trouw-openingsdans.php (in Dutch)
• Residance, Voorburg: https://laresidance.nl/danslessen/bruidsparen/ (in Dutch)
• Lekker Stijldansen, Zaandam: https://www.lekkerstijldansen.nl/bruidsparen/ (in Dutch)
• Ready2Dance: https://ready2dance.nl/openingsdans-bruiloft/ (in Dutch)
• Descarga Salsa, Zwolle: https://descargasalsa.nl/prijzen/ (in Dutch)
• Dansschool Cariño, Groningen: https://dansschoolcarino.nl/tarieven/ (in Dutch)
• Union Salsa Dance Company, Utrecht: https://www.unionsalsadancecompany.nl/workshops/openingsdans/ (in Dutch)
• Pasito Dance School, Amsterdam: https://pasitodance.com/our-classes/wedding-dance/
• Latin Secrets, Breda: https://latinsecrets.nl/en/dance-lessons/wedding-dance/
• Dansstudio 123, Antwerp: https://dansstudio123.be/specials/trouwers (in Dutch)
• Dance Orientation, Ghent: https://danceorientation.be/dansschool/ (in Dutch)

Other:

• https://www.joyofdance.ca/?p=4099 (Canadian dance school: length of the dance, choice of dance)
• https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/nl/2022/04/14/het-trouwseizoen-is-terug-en-daar-horen-openingsdansen-bij/ (VRT NWS: custom choreography or a classic dance with a lift; in Dutch)