Weddings Winter 2008 > Planner

Dance Studios

American Ballroom Dance Studio

25 W. 31st St., nr. Fifth Ave., fourth fl.; 212-244-8400; pierredulaine.com

Pierre Dulaine heads up the staff at this time-tested school. Just eight instructors teach the classes, which cover all the standard styles. After a free, half-hour initial consultation, couples can take five, ten, or twenty private one-hour lessons (prices upon request).

Ballroom on Fifth

37 W. 37th St., nr. Fifth Ave., second fl.; 212-532-6232; ballroomonfifth.com

With a staff of champion dancers as instructors, Ballroom on Fifth offers several wedding packages: three one-hour couples lessons for $260, five for $445, and ten for $850. They’ll also customize a plan to incorporate semiprivate classes for you or your entire wedding party.

Ballroom Wedding Dance

37 W. 26th St., nr. Sixth Ave., ninth fl.; 917-375-3027; ballroomweddingdance.com

Peter Jones and his team teach clients to dance anything from the waltz to salsa to wow guests at their receptions. Couples can schedule private dance lessons, available for two to four couples ranging between $25 and $35 per person, per hour.

Billings Jones Dance

212-866-7750; biljonsdance.com

Husband and wife Sarah Billings and Richard Jones have been offering private lessons and classes for groups for more than a decade. A standard wedding package includes six 55-minute lessons ($415). Their hourly rate is $75.

Champions Dance Studio

257 W. 39th St., nr. Eighth Ave., fourteenth fl.; 212-307-7707; championsdance.com

Champions Dance Studio has the right kind of packages to get any couple dancing, whether it’s the cha-cha, trot, or swing. The basic program for couples ($300) includes five private lessons. Advice for the first dance is also available here.

Dance Chelsea

127 W. 25th St., nr. Sixth Ave., fourth fl.; 917-606-0289; dancechelsea.com

From the fox-trot to merengue, salsa and swing, this West Side studio knows the steps that will prepare couples for their big day. Each lesson lasts 50 minutes, and wedding packages start at $90 for one lesson, $415 for five, or $820 for ten.

Dance Manhattan Ballroom Swing & Latin Studio

39 W. 19th St., nr. Fifth Ave., fifth fl; 212-807-0802; dancemanhattan.com

This school teaches all the standard styles in both private and group settings, and offers a crash-course option if time is of the essence. They’ll also send instructors to a reception to teach guests the moves—or they’ll just perform. Hour-long group lessons cost $80 per person for a four-week session. Wedding packages of five or ten lessons start at $385.

Dance New York

237 W. 54th St., nr. Broadway, third fl.; 212-246-5797; dancenewyork.com

This ballroom and Latin dance studio offers group and private lessons as well as practice-studio rental. The wedding package ($395) includes five private lessons and a one-time private-room rental for extra practice. Additional private instruction will cost about $85 per lesson and the school is happy to teach styles like hip-hop and quick-step.

Dance Times Square

156 W. 44th St., nr. Broadway, third fl.; 212-994-9500; dancetimessquare.com

Owned and operated by former U.S. Latin-dance champions Tony Meredith and Melanie LaPatin, this dance facility specializes in teaching cha-cha, samba, rumba, mambo, tango, and swing. Wedding packages include five or ten 50-minute private lessons ($525 for five, $1,000 for ten).

Fred Astaire Dance Studios

212-595-3200; fredastairemanhattan.com

Founded in 1947 by the legend himself, this national chain is consistently ranked as one of the best. They offer a special wedding program run by competitive dancers who can teach everything from the tango to the West Coast Swing. Introductory packages—two private lessons—start at $75 per couple.

Manhattan Ballroom Society

310 E. 42nd St., at Second Ave.; 917-734-4778; manhattanballroom.net

Manhattan Ballroom Society understands that couples aspire to a first dance that’s elegant and sophisticated. That’s why their instructors can choreograph a routine that even two sets of left feet can master. They can also help with other wedding-day dances: the fox-trot, waltz, or salsa. Eight weeks of classes are $155 per person.

NY Wedding Dance

1261 Broadway, nr. 32nd St., Ste. 510; 212-904-1114; nyweddingdance.com

Veering outside the strict parameters of the typical wedding moves, instructors work with clients to choreograph their first dance. Their goal is to make each dance look natural. Available packages include six sessions for $510, ten for $820, or fifteen for $1,200. House calls are $135 per session.

Paul Pellicoro's DanceSport

22 W. 34th St., nr. Fifth Ave.; 212-307-1111; dancesport.com

This popular studio has been one of the city’s biggest since it opened in 1985. It’s impressive wedding packages ($665 to $1,040) include a personal consultant, unlimited practice sessions, group classes for wedding couples, private lessons, music consultation and editing, a pre-party group class, and a complimentary rehearsal video.

Sandra Cameron Dance Center

199 Lafayette St., nr. Broome St.; 212-431-1825; sandracameron.com

Founder Sandra Cameron has won every major International Style dance competition in the United States. You can get a private lesson for $85 per couple per hour or opt for a four-week group class for $85 per person. The wedding package includes a four-week group course plus three private lessons ($375).

Soho Dance

598 Broadway, at Houston St.; 212-226-6767; sohodancestudio.com

The dance instructors pride themselves on helping uncertain couples find the beat. Although they can do a crash course in a week, they recommend three months of rehearsals. Choose six sessions for $495, ten sessions for $800, or twenty sessions for $1,550.

WeddingDayDance

520 Eighth Ave., at W. 36th St. 939 Eighth Ave., nr. W. 54th St.; 917-796-4960; weddingdaydance.com

These studios focus on professional ballroom and Latin American dance. All instruction is conducted in private rooms. A half-hour consultation is $30; a single private lesson is $80 per hour. Wedding packages start at $225 for three lessons, $350 for five. Instructors will make house calls.

You Should Be Dancing

412 Eigth Ave., nr. 30th St., 4th Fl. 212-244-0011; youshouldbedancing.net

This studio believes dancing should be fun. And wedding programs are their specialty. For couples who want to move together gracefully, this studio offers group classes and private lessons (including ballroom, Argentine tango, salsa, swing, the hustle, and more) with some of New York City’s best. Private one-hour lessons are $82; they also offer packages: five classes for $375, ten classes for $700.

Zack's Dance Loft

37 E. 28th St., nr. Madison Ave., Ste. 206; 212-731-9632; zacksdanceloft.com

Dance instructor Zack Engel was recently chosen by New York as offering the city’s “Best Dance-With-the-Stars Lessons,” and with good reason—the Israeli’s private lessons are looser and far more fun than the average studio class. Lessons open with a drink to set the mood and include as much conversation as salsa. Engel often videotapes couples so they can see their errors. He’ll even take small groups out to clubs, where he’ll scan the floor for dancers to match his students’ skill levels. A one-hour lesson is $79.