By Laura Walter

When Yvonne Marie Cimone meets couples who are planning their wedding, “I am always surprised that many of them do not want to plan for that inevitable ‘first dance,’” she said. “Thousands will be spent on cakes, gowns, rings, flowers and food, but the prevailing thought for first dance prep is ‘We don’t need it; we are going to wing it!’”

But the alternative is this: “Have you been to a friend’s wedding lately and seen them do the ‘embarrassing shuffle?’ The answer is always yes!” Cimone said.

As the director of Dance Moves & Manners, Cimone teaches individuals and couples how to move together on the dance floor.

Generally, people nowadays dance solo, which is wonderful for its inclusivity, whether you’re dancing alone or in a big group. But Cimone points out “Most brides and grooms today have not grown up knowing how to dance together in closed hold. Then magically, at weddings, they are supposed to fulfill this task with little experience.”

As a teacher, she’s not trying to flail folks into perfection (unless that’s the approach you want!). Her goal is to teach couples a handful of steps they can use anytime together, on the wedding day, and into the future. “A few simple steps, a great opening move and a cute closing move will make you and your guests smile,” she said.

“I’m a social dance teacher. I want you to be able to go on a cruise or a wedding, or someplace where there’s a band playing and just have fun. It’s always my goal to put you at ease,” she said. “I’ll make it fun, I’ll make it easy, and won’t sell you more than you want.”

People might avoid dance lessons because they can’t dance—but this is how you learn! Cimone has been in those shoes, too. “I was terrified” when she began lessons as an adult. But with practice, she continued to improve.

Now, she wants people just to have fun and feel more confident dancing in a closed embrace.

“Being able to hold somebody and move on the dance floor is a gift—and not be self-conscious! My goal is to get people past that self-conscious state,” Cimone said. “I grew up watching big Italian weddings where everybody danced. The guys asking everyone to dance, their girlfriends, their aunties…”

Cimone offers different class formats, including public group workshops or private couple’s lessons.

For the most fun, private group lessons are available for friends, family or the wedding party. “If you do the wedding dance workshop, I recommend you bring everybody. The more people, the more energy!” The entire wedding party gets a great education, including parents (think mother-son dance, father-daughter dance, or any other pairing you want). It’s fun and reduces nerves, and if nothing else, everybody’s all in the same boat together.

Wedding dance lessons have an added bonus of learning how to move in high heels or turn in a gigantic dress without getting tangled in crinoline.

“It’s a good wedding gift to give somebody dance lessons,” she said.

One wedding tip: Five or six minutes can feel endless for everyone in the room if they’re just watching you dance. So, consider closing your first song after a few minutes. Decide your final pose beforehand, tell the photographer and DJ what to look for, and end the song with a flourish.

“Love is a lot like dancing—you just surrender to the music,” is Cimone’s favorite quote.

Her advice: “Find the dance instructor who will work with you. They should consider your wishes, personality and ideas,” whether you want to look like a pro, or you’re just trying to survive those five minutes in the spotlight. “They will teach patiently and work at your level. They should listen and advise you on your music, encourage and equip you with tips to make your dance feel comfortable.”

Dance Moves & Manners is based in Sussex County,  Del., and Cimone will travel to wherever people want to learn. Details online at dancemovesandmanners.com or (302) 222-3755. The website has a calendar of upcoming classes: wintertime Wedding Dance Workshops, Rumba & Bachata, the Slow Dance Class, and more.