We have chosen 'At Last' for the first dance at our wedding but are clueless as to what type of dance would be appropriate. Waltz, Foxtrot??? Could anyone help. Thank you!

Andrea,
May be a little late but the answer to your question is Foxtrot. It does not have 3/4 timing necessary for Waltz.

I've taught social foxtrot to that song, and it works out well. It's essentially change steps on the line of dance, and a box turn in the corner, just like waltz. Except instead of all steady beats '1-2-3' like waltz, change the timing to slow-quick-quick. Slow being the forward or backward steps, quick quick being the side steps. Progressive twinkles work well, as does a lady's underarm turn in the corner.

Best wishes and congratulations on your upcoming marriage! Remember, the dance is NOT the most important part of the day - the "I do" is!

Lee Ann

Lee Ann,

A question. Do you think that it is more important for a couple to dance together or to dance on the beat? Let me explain. Like it has been said, the song is a rather slow 4/4 timing. It would be difficult to dance the standard foxtrot to the beat. I could teach a nightclub foxtrot that would agree with your timing or, in fact, I use a q,q,s,s. Or I even tell my student that whenever they hear a song that is too slow not to worry about the beat but set a pace. When my students go out and have an opportunity to dance they will often come across songs such as Celine Dion or Shania Twain, etc. that is extremely slow. I would rather them dance a pattern off beat rather than go back to just turning in place. At the same time though, I do train my students to dance to a strict tempo foxtrot also.
I guess my question is, do you lose dance integrity by not dancing on the beat? What do you think?

Sounds to me that the dance apropos to this song is a 'very' slow Nightclub 2-step. May be just a clutch and sway song. A foxtrot to it would be interminably slow, perhaps not the ideal option.

Phil EB

Andrea. I would say that J Waltzer was correct, and that is At Last has a Foxtrot 4/4 tempo. Waltz has Three beats to one bar and is 3/4 tempo. If I were you I would learn Rhythm Dance Steps. It is very easy to learn and would fit in nicely to the music which in that tune is rather slow. Best of luck.