Slow Waltz for your wedding dance: figures and steps

The Slow Waltz, also known in international dance sport as the English Waltz, is considered the gold standard for the opening dance. With its harmonious three-quarter time and flowing, wave-like movements, it radiates an incomparable elegance. In contrast to the fast Viennese Waltz, which makes many couples dizzy due to its high tempo and constant turns, the slow version allows for relaxed and controlled gliding across the dance floor.

Anyone comparing the Slow or Viennese Waltz for the wedding dance will quickly realize that the English Waltz leaves significantly more room for conscious accents and soulful glances. For the perfect start, you should determine your wedding dance schedule early on to internalize the steps without any time pressure.

The Waltz basic step for the wedding dance is based on a simple box that is danced across the floor. The movement follows the classic rhythm: step, step, close. On the count of one, you take a sweeping forward step, on two a side step, and on three you close your feet. For the follower, the whole thing applies in reverse. This basic geometric shape ensures stability and gives you the necessary confidence for your performance.

A common mistake is to keep the knees stiff. The typical elegance only emerges through the gentle rising and falling (Rise and Fall). On one, you bend your knees softly, on two you rise onto the balls of your feet, hold the height on three, and gently lower yourself again at the end of three. To hit the beat reliably, take a look at our guide on determining the beat for your wedding dance.

As soon as the box step is second nature, you can enhance your wedding dance with simple turns and elegant figures. The right turn is the classic way to move elegantly across the floor. Here, the basic box is rotated slightly to the right, so that you complete a full turn after two basic steps. If you want a little show element, incorporate a simple promenade, where the couple opens up slightly and walks forward side by side.

When practicing the figures for the Slow Waltz as a wedding dance, make sure not to overload the choreography. Less is often more. Two cleanly executed figures look far more elegant to the wedding guests than a hectic sequence of complicated wrap figures that throw you off beat. Instead, focus on a proud posture and eye contact with each other.