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Wedding dance4 minutes
Extraordinary wedding dance: 6 alternative dance styles
By Bernhard De LucaUpdated
- An extraordinary wedding dance breaks with the tradition of the classic waltz and focuses on individual expressiveness.
- Styles like Argentine Tango and Kizomba bring deep intimacy and dramatic elegance to the dance floor.
- Lindy Hop, Salsa and West Coast Swing create a relaxed, energetic and modern atmosphere in the room.
- The choice of the right style should depend on your personality and your favorite type of music.
Forget the stiff waltz and the rigid counting in three-quarter time. Your opening dance can be just as unique, lively, and surprising as your relationship itself.
How we selected the dance styles
Maximum unconventionality
All featured dance styles deviate significantly from the classic waltz tradition.
Practical learnability
The styles are easy to learn for couples with some preparation time.
Independent selection
No payments were accepted for the placement of individual styles.
The 6 best extraordinary styles in comparison
- 01
Argentine Tango
Argentine Tango, melancholic and elegant music, high intensity
- Dramatic
- Intimate
- Improvised
The Argentine Tango wedding dance is the perfect choice for couples who are looking for pure elegance and dramatic intimacy. Instead of rigid step sequences, this dance is based on subtle leading and deep connection, which makes it incredibly emotional.
- 02
Lindy Hop
Swing, big band sound, high energy
- Vintage
- cheerful
- dynamic
Lindy Hop brings the carefree spirit of the 1930s to your wedding. With lively kicks, relaxed turns, and a big dose of humor, this swing dance gets the party started immediately.
- 03
West Coast Swing
West Coast Swing, pop & R&B, fluid movements
- Modern
- flexible
- casual
As a modern dance style, West Coast Swing offers maximum freedom in music selection. You can dance to current pop hits, R&B, or acoustic songs, gliding smoothly and elegantly across the dance floor.
- 04
Salsa
Salsa, Latin rhythms, high energy
- Fiery
- rhythmic
- captivating
If you want to bring Caribbean joy and holiday vibes to your wedding reception, Salsa is the perfect choice. The fast turns and rhythmic hip movements are a guaranteed way to get the party started.
- 05
Kizomba
Kizomba, modern African beats, maximum closeness
- Sensual
- Calm
- Connected
Kizomba is arguably the most sensual partner dance in the world and is perfectly suited as an extraordinary wedding dance style. The extremely close dance posture and the soft, earthy movements create a magical, almost meditative moment just for the two of you.
- 06
Contemporary Dance
Contemporary, emotional ballads, free choreography
- Artistic
- Emotional
- Free
As a contemporary dance style, Contemporary breaks with all classical dance postures. Here, you can tell your very own personal love story through free, flowing movements and theatrical elements to modern pop ballads.
How to plan your unconventional wedding dance
An unconventional opening dance breaks with expectations and reflects your personality as a couple. Moving away from the classic waltz, you can choose dance styles that range from intimate closeness to exuberant joy. To prepare optimally and set the right framework, you should start practicing early. A structured wedding dance timeline helps you to internalize the steps stress-free and build up the choreography without time pressure.
Choosing the right music
Every extraordinary dance style only unfolds its effect through the right soundtrack. Whether melancholic bandoneon sounds for Argentine Tango or driving big-band rhythms for Lindy Hop: the music not only sets the beat, but also conveys the attitude towards life of the dance. If you are still looking for the right melody, you will find valuable inspiration in the guide on how to choose the perfect song for your wedding dance.
Preparation in a course or studio
To master the more complex movement sequences of Swing, Tango, or Latin styles, a targeted course is worthwhile. Since these styles differ significantly from the classic standard repertoire, you should compare the different learning formats. Our wedding dance course review helps you find out whether private coaching, a group course, or an online tutorial best suits your preparation time and your prior knowledge.
The unconventional wedding dance in numbers
- Featured alternative dance styles
- 6
- Recommended months of preparation time
- 3-6
- Classic Waltz steps in the article
- 0
Frequently Asked Questions
Argentine Tango stands for pure improvisation and deep connection, while classical European tango follows fixed step sequences and a stricter posture. For your wedding, this means more room for your own expression.
Yes, styles like Lindy Hop or West Coast Swing can be danced perfectly in flat shoes or even elegant sneakers. This ensures a firm footing and is easy on your feet deep into the party night.
As a rule, you should start learning three to six months before the wedding. Since styles like Swing or Salsa have their own rhythm, internalizing the basics takes some time.
Wedding dance classes near you
Find the right dance class to practice your very own opening dance.
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