Dance Fever

Oct 9 2005 By Adam Aspinall

THE first dance at your wed-ding can be the most nerve-racking moment of a nerve-jangling day.

Having to hit the dancefloor with your partner in front of family and friends can make even the most confident person a little anxious.

First Dance UK specialises in wedding dance lessons. Its choreographers can be sent directly to the bride/groom's home to make learning the right moves to their opening number a little bit easier.

Kelly and Darren Billington, from Longbridge in Birmingham, were determined their special day would not be let down by a dancefloor disaster.

The couple tied the knot in July at a beautiful church in Pontesbury, near Shrewsbury, and held their reception at the nearby picturesque Rowton Castle.

Kelly, 27, said: "We made such a big effort with every other detail of the wedding, such as the castle and the entertainment, and were determined to do something different with our first dance.

"I saw the advert for First Dance UK in a bridal magazine and booked five hours of lessons for the big day to get us up to scratch.

"Dancing wasn't really a problem for me because I've always loved performing. But Darren was very nervous and couldn't believe what he had let himself in for!"

Once the first song has been chosen, the choreographer teaches couples a unique routine achieved over an

average of just four sessions which cost £255.

Kelly and 32-year-old Darren, who are both clothes shop managers, selected the Savage Garden song Truly, Madly, Deeply for their opening number.

Kelly said: "It was the song that meant the most to us and had the right tempo. "I really enjoyed the lessons with our

instructor, Suzi Budd, and realised we needed the extra practice to make sure we got things right.

"The only problem was we were keeping this all a secret. We couldn't keep making excuses to leave the kids with people while we rehearsed - so we'd just throw the furniture out of the way at home and practise there."

Choreographer Suzi praised the couple's dancefloor efforts, saying: "They were really good, even though Darren was nervous to begin with. He came on in leaps and bounds and by the end they looked wonderful together."

The big day and big dance went off without a hitch.

Kelly recalled: "We were really nervous before the dance and Darren was in pieces - but once we got on the dance-floor it went perfectly.

"The best thing I did was practise in a big dress beforehand because on the day itself I had to hitch up my skirt and tie it with ribbons to stop myself tripping over!"

For more information visit website www.firstdance.co.uk or ring them on 0845 055 0729.

adam_aspinall@mrn.co.uk