Waltz

What Is Waltz?

The waltz is a rotary partner dance performed in 3/4 time, characterised by a rise and fall action and a sweeping, flowing quality. It descends from the Austrian Ländler folk dance of the eighteenth century — the name itself comes from the German "walzen", to turn or roll.

The waltz reached England in 1812 and initially scandalised polite society, since it was the first ballroom dance to bring couples into a sustained close hold — within a few decades it had become, in Britannica's words, "the ballroom dance par excellence" of the nineteenth century.

The International Standard Waltz is the version standardised for competitive ballroom dancing, featuring travelling figures, rotations and a characteristic sway. It is distinct from the much faster Viennese Waltz, its older and quicker sibling.

Waltz vs Viennese Waltz

Waltz and Viennese Waltz share the same 3/4 timing and rotational technique, but they are genuinely different dances to learn and to watch — one gliding and measured, the other fast and continuously turning.

Benefits of Waltz

Who Is Waltz Suitable For?

Learning Waltz in London

Waltz is one of the most widely taught ballroom dances in London, offered at virtually every ballroom studio in the city. It is often the first dance taught to beginners due to its flowing, musical quality — and it is, by a wide margin, the dance most commonly requested for a wedding first dance.

A cluster of London schools specialise specifically in first-dance preparation. Wedding Dance Workshops lists "Waltz First Dance" explicitly among its packages, taught by instructor Paul, with sessions available at home or in-studio and a money-back guarantee. First Dance London, run by Bogdan and Anna — who have represented England in top international ballroom competitions for over 12 years — describes their most popular package as a "simple and romantic waltz", taught across studios in Marylebone and Dulwich. Captiv8 Dance, led by Oya and Ed, promises everything "from elegant waltzes to fun upbeat medleys". Beyond wedding specialists, general ballroom academies such as Start the Dance (founded 2005 by national Ballroom and Disco champion Jess Brichto) and Zoltan's Ballroom and Latin (led by former Hungarian formation-team champion Zoltan Szalontay) teach waltz as one part of a much broader Standard and Latin programme.

Waltz classes in London are available at all levels from absolute beginner to advanced competitive preparation. Beginners learn the natural and reverse turns, the closed hold and the basic timing before progressing to more complex figures.

The dance is equally popular for recreation, social dancing, competitive ballroom and — above all in London — wedding first dance preparation.

Waltz FAQ

• How many lessons do we need before our wedding first dance? +
  Most dedicated packages run 4-6 sessions of around an hour, enough to learn a simple, confident waltz to your chosen song — though this varies with how much choreography you want and how far ahead you start.
• How far in advance should we start first dance lessons? +
  Booking 2-3 months ahead is common, giving room for a weekly lesson plus practice time, though several London schools also offer intensive short-notice packages for couples who leave it later.
• Can we learn even if neither of us has danced before? +
  Yes — this is the default starting point for wedding first dance lessons, and courses are built specifically for total beginners.
• Does our first dance song have to work for a traditional waltz? +
  No. Many songs can be adapted, or a teacher can suggest a different Standard dance (such as foxtrot) if your song doesn't naturally suit 3/4 time — this is usually discussed in the first lesson.
• Can we practise in the shoes we'll actually wear on the day? +
  Yes, and most schools recommend it — bring your wedding shoes (and, closer to the date, your dress or suit) to a later lesson so you can rehearse in them before the event.
• Are lessons held at a studio or can a teacher come to us? +
  Both formats exist in London — some schools teach exclusively in-studio, while others offer home visits, useful if space allows and you'd rather practise somewhere familiar.
• How much do waltz or wedding first dance lessons cost in London? +
  Group waltz classes typically cost £12-£20 per session. Dedicated wedding first dance packages usually run £275-£800 for a full course of private lessons, depending on the studio and number of sessions.
• What's the difference between waltz and Viennese waltz? +
  Waltz is the slower, gliding version usually taught first; Viennese waltz is much faster and continuously rotating. See our Viennese Waltz guide for the full comparison.