First Dance Lessons in Chicago

First Dance Dip From Ballroom Dance Chicago

Create a First Dance That’s Simple, Show-Stopping, or Anything in Between!

Whether you want a classic, natural first dance or a full choreographed performance, we’ll help you look confident, feel comfortable, and wow your guests. Nervous? You’re not alone. Most couples are at first, but we promise you’re more capable than you think. (Check out our reviews to see what’s possible!)

Timeline Tip: Couples who start 6+ months before their wedding build a strong foundation early. That means they’re not just learning steps—they’re gaining the skills to feel what works and be more involved in shaping a first dance that that feels right for them.

Bonus: Because your learning is focused on more than one song, you’ll also develop the confidence and connection to enjoy dancing together throughout your entire wedding—and wherever life takes you next.

Three Ways To Get Started With First Dance Lessons in Chicago

Your Wedding is 8+ Months Away

Start With: Classes for Couples

  • The perfect date night and a stress-free way to lay solid foundations you’ll use for a lifetime.

  • 2-4 couples share an instructor who rotates their time between each couple.

  • We recommend starting with Ballroom, or Swing as they’re incredibly fun and versatile styles.

Book a Class for Couples

Your Wedding is 3 - 8 Months Away

Start With: A Consultation

  • A personalized recommendation based on your goals.

  • Meet one-on-one with an instructor to discuss your goals, try out some steps, and build a personalized dance plan.

  • Depending on your timeline & goals, we may recommend a combination of classes and private lessons.

Book a Consultation

Your Wedding is Less Than 3 Months Away

Start With: A Private Lesson

  • Maximize your remaining time!

  • We’ll jump right in, combining your vision with proven techniques to help you dance naturally and confidently.

  • We don’t do hard sales and we tell you the truth. Your time is short and private lessons are the best way to effectively use your remaining time.

Book a First Lesson

A Peek at Some of Our Couples

First Dance Lesson FAQ

  • It really depends on what you’re envisioning! Are you hoping for a show-stopping first dance or something more simple? How long is your song? Do you have any dance experience? Will you have time to practice between lessons? These are all things we take into consideration.

    Most couples take about 10–15 private wedding dance lessons to feel confident and connected on the dance floor. But don’t worry — you don’t have to figure everything out right now. Start with a consultation or first lesson, talk through your goals, and your instructor will help you map out a plan. There’s no pressure, no hard sales — just honest, professional advice to help you look and feel your best. goes here

  • Your first dance doesn’t have to be over the top unless you want it to be. Whether you’re picturing a few simple, elegant moves or a full-on performance, we’ll personalize everything to match your style and comfort level.

    Here’s where we can help set your expectations: Looking natural and comfortable together doesn’t happen overnight. Even for a simple dance, you’ll need more than one or two lessons to move in sync, feel (and look) relaxed, and actually enjoy the moment.

    Think about the rest of your wedding—you’re hiring professionals to help you look great, stay organized, and feel confident throughout the process. Dance lessons are no different. You’re not expected to know how to do this on your own! A professional helps you take your vision and turn it into something that works, no matter how big or small—because this is what we do every day.

  • Our recommendation is to start early and stay consistent. This means, the sooner, the better. If you want to look natural, at ease, and truly connected on your wedding day — especially doing something you’ve never done before, time is the best gift you can give yourselves.

    If you’re already searching for ‘first dance lessons’ or ‘wedding dance lessons near me’, that’s your sign: it’s time to get started! The goal is for your first dance to feel easy and natural — not rushed or stressful.

  • Absolutely! You’re in good company— Most couples who come to us have never danced before.

    First dance lessons are designed to be fun, connected, and low-stress — think of it as a date night where you get to learn a new skill together. A skill you can keep! You’ll be surprised how quickly you start feeling comfortable. And we’re here to guide you through every step.

  • We offer a range of options to fit your goals, timeline, and budget.

    👉 First Dance Prep, Ballroom, and Swing Classes for Couples:

    • The most popular, low-pressure way to start for couples who are 8+ months out from their wedding. You'll join 2–4 other couples and learn how to dance together in a way that works with almost any song.

    • Classes are $80 per couple for a drop-in or $220 per couple for a four-week course (5 weeks to finish 4 classes).

    • The focus here is building foundational movement — helping you feel more confident and comfortable before stepping into private lessons.

    👉 Private Lessons with an Instructor:

    • The only way to learn how to dance to your specific song! Each lesson includes 45 minutes of one-on-one instruction followed by 15 minutes of practice time in the studio.

    • Lessons range in price based on how many you purchase at a time. You’re always welcome to start with 1 lesson ($180) to feel it out. Most couples start with 10 lessons ($1,450) to feel solid and natural. If you’re looking for something to wow your guests, you should expect to start with 20 lessons ($2,700).

    • Private lessons are entirely customized to you — your song, your vision, and your schedule. Your instructor will guide your progress, help you stay on track, and make sure your first dance feels natural and reflects who you are as a couple.

    👉 Private Lessons with a Master Instructor:

    • Our top-tier option for couples looking for elite coaching. Master instructors teach with precision, efficiency, and creativity — ideal for more advanced movement, complex choreography, or working with big lifts.

    • An initial lesson is $235. To continue, a commitment of 10 lessons is required at $175 per lesson.

    • The focus at this level is polish, performance, and personalization — helping you look spectacular and feel your best— completely prepared for a standout first dance.

    Studio members receive exclusive discounts on both private lessons and all group classes.

My wife-to-be and I did the ten lesson package to prep for our first dance and we could not be happier with the results. Our instructor, Ricardo (Ricky), is the sweetest human being and choreographed the perfect dance for our skill level and song. The lessons go by so quickly, only because we’ve had so much fun in the process. Highly recommend!
— Brandon C on Google
My husband and I worked with David for our choreographed first dance. We were SO happy with how it turned out - performing it for our guests was one of the highlights of our wedding day! As a same-sex couple, it was important to us to work with an instructor who made us feel comfortable dancing together
— Andy F on the Knot
I had a wonderful experience with private wedding lessons at Ballroom Dance Chicago! I worked with them for my daddy/daughter dance and for my first dance with my husband. In both instances, the instructors choreographed a dance that matched out styles and ability levels perfectly. The lessons were relaxed and fun, and we had a great time showing off our dances on the big day!
— Caroline R on Yelp

Contact Us

Request More Information:

Lakeview Studio

4039b N Ravenswood Ave

Chicago, IL, 60613

 

West Loop Studio

845 W Fulton Market Rd. #213

Chicago, IL, 60607