To make a statement with your first dance, the Wedding Dance Experts at Arthur Murray Dance Centers say  the key is to start well in advance so couples, and the entire wedding party, can be as comfortable as possible.  Practice does make perfect, and practice takes time and commitment.

Here’s a few more tips from the dance experts:

Start as early as possible. More than one Arthur Murray Dance Center has stories of couples getting married on Long Island who come in just days before the wedding. It takes three to six months, depending on the complexity of the dance and how many people are in the wedding party.

Practice in the same shoes that you will be wearing at the wedding – this goes for the bride and groom. If you learn to samba in slippers, and then get hitched in high heels, your dancing will not look or feel the same and tripping over your feet is not a good move at the reception.

If you are planning on posting the dance online, have the videographer tape you after you’ve got the basics down. You don’t want to wait until the last minute to find out that the angle is wrong or that a particular move may feel great but looks awkward on the small screen.

Practice often and everywhere. If your dance is a secret, practice another dance – the idea is to get really comfortable with moving together as a team.

Pick a few different songs or dances that you love. Make sure your band or DJ works with you so that the music is as perfect as the dance.