Weddingbee boards

We bought a Groupon for five group lessons for $50 at a studio near our house, which was a series in introductions to the various types of social dance. It was useful and enjoyable and FI even admitted to liking it, and it provided a great foundation and intro to basic rhythmic movement (which FI needed). I now feel we're prepared to get something out of private lessons without having to start from absolute scratch. We are most likely going to go with a package of three 55-minute private lessons for $240 from a very highly reviewed instructor in our area.

We took the group course in March-April and haven't scheduled the private lessons yet, though that's going to happen soon. Our wedding is July 24th.

Oh, and one note about the studios that offer a free lesson, according to the website of the place we're likely going to book for private lessons:

Beware of "FREE" lessons! You get what you pay for! Free lessons are not given out of the kindness of a studio's heart, most "free lessons" at dance studios are simply a lure to get you through the door. Much of the lesson is spent convincing you of the benefits of dance as a lifetime hobby and reviewing lengthy and expensive packages for after your wedding. The free lesson’s emphasis is not actually on learning to dance but rather on selling you more lessons. It costs a dance studio thousands of dollars to create a dance instructor and promote their business. Therefore, studios do not give away QUALITY private lessons for free. Therefore, they must recoup their loss on the "FREE" lesson by hiking up the price on any lessons you purchase in the future. A "FREE" lessons generally consists of 20 minutes of dance instruction (which may not even focus entirely on your actual dancing goals) and the rest of the "lesson" is a sales pitch. Your time is valuable, studios should respect your time by answering all your questions over the phone, by email or on their website. The first sign that a studio is in the higher price bracket is if they refuse to quote you their rates over the phone and/or don't post them on their website. Other studios know each other's prices, so you have to ask yourself...who are they hiding them from? If you have to spend your valuable time finding out that a studio is too expensive or doesn't meet your needs or expectations, isn't that already too high a price to pay for a "FREE" lesson?

With me, you can expect answers to all your questions before even walking through our door. The lesson is intensive and focused on your specific needs from the onset. I will even GUARANTEE you an entire wedding dance in ONE hour if you tell us in advance that is all you intend to take. Isn't that better than a "FREE" lesson designed to convince you that you need MORE lessons? Ask the studio if they are willing to make that same guarantee on a "FREE" lesson.