First dance by Catalin Andrei Mihu + interview
When it comes to creating a magical first dance you have to meet Catalin! Known for his captivating performances on Norway’s “Skal Vi Danse” and celebrated as a 10-time Norwegian Champion in Latin, Standard, and 10-Dance, Catalin brings both passion and precision to every step. With over 15 years of teaching experience, he has coached countless couples — from Norwegian champions to more than 200 wedding pairs — helping them shine on their special day.
Together with his former dance partner, Maria Lie Ramella, Catalin runs Drammen Dance Company, where he continues to inspire dancers of all levels. In this special wedding edition, we sit down with Catalin to share his expert tips and insights, so you can feel confident and graceful when you step onto the dance floor as newlyweds.
Stay tuned for practical advice and our exclusive interview to make your first dance unforgettable!
Dancing with the Stars - Norway Edition with Iselin Guttormsen
Tips from the Champion!
1. It’s ideal to start your dance lessons at least 2 months before your wedding. This allows enough time to schedule lessons, learn the choreography, feel comfortable with the routine, adjust if you need more sessions and practice at your own pace.
2. If you’re looking for a simple and elegant routine, 3 to 5 lessons should be enough, even if you don’t have dance experience. For a more complex choreography that includes multiple moves, dips, lifts, or turns, you should plan for 6 to 10 lessons to ensure you have enough time to practice, build confidence and perfect your moves.
Pic by Gaby Bizon @weds_bygaby
3. Waltz and Viennese waltz are the most popular types of dances, they help create a romantic and elegant vibe on your day. Tango is also a choice if you want to create a dramatic and passionate feeling between the two of you, while salsa is suitable if you desire to spice things up with a Latin flair. Even a mixed choreography that combines different dances can meet your needs if you want to create a spontaneous and fun moment.
4. Most couples are in the same situation before their wedding. With the right preparation and training, any couple with no dance experience can create a memorable and meaningful first dance. Simple tips, like filming your choreography or recording your dance teacher at the end of the lesson to practice at home afterwards, can be incredibly helpful. So don’t worry, it’s all about the process.
5. It’s important to wear comfortable clothes and shoes that allow freedom of movement, especially in your first lessons. In the final lessons, it will be ideal to wear clothes and shoes similar to what you will wear on your wedding day, as this will help you get used to them, feel comfortable and experience less stress.
6. The typical sweet spot is between 1.5 minutes and 2 minutes. It's long enough for a memorable moment but short enough to keep your audience engaged. This length avoids the risk of the dance feeling too long or repetitive and it works well if you have a more choreographed routine that incorporates different moves or styles without feeling rushed.
Pic by Gaby Bizon @weds_bygaby
7. Of course, we can customize your routine to suit all your needs and desires. We will also guide you through the entire process and provide plenty of choreographic ideas if you'd like.
8. By taking a deep breath to calm your nerves, focusing on each other during the dance and practicing ahead of time, you'll feel much more comfortable. Visualization can be powerful, so imagine the dance going smoothly, with both of you smiling and enjoying the moment. Practicing in front of just one or two people, like close friends or family members, can also help you get used to it.
9. Think about songs that have a special connection to your relationship. It could be a song from when you first met, a favorite song you both love, or something that reminds you of an important moment. Consider the atmosphere you want to create on your special day and choose a song that reflects the mood you're aiming for.
10. If you make a mistake, laugh it off or keep smiling! Guests will appreciate seeing you have fun and enjoy yourselves, even if something goes wrong. It's more about the emotion and connection than technical perfection.
Get to know Catalin !
1. What do you enjoy most about working with couples preparing their first dance?
Seeing their faces light up when they realize they can dance together is magical.
I love witnessing their confidence growing and knowing they’ll share something unforgettable on their big day.
2. Why did you decide to start your own dance school?
It was always my dream to open a dance school, and after 15 years of teaching, Norway made that dream come true! I wanted to create a welcoming space where anyone — regardless of age or experience - can discover the joy of dancing. I truly believe that everyone should experience a professional dance class at least once in their life and feel the beautiful emotions that come with moving confidently to the music.
Being able to dance with the person you love most is an indescribable feeling, one that I hope everyone gets to enjoy at least once in their lifetime.
3. Do you remember the moment when you realized that dance was your professional path?
Yes! I was 14 years old when in won my first national competition, then I realized how moved people were by the power of dance and how much I loved to dance. That’s when I knew I wanted to dedicate my life to helping others experience a bit of that feeling.
4. What’s most important to you when working with soon-to-be newlyweds – technique, emotion, or something else?
Emotion is important and technique supports the dance, but what truly makes it unforgettable is the genuine connection and love between the couple.
5. How many couples have you helped choreograph their first dance so far?
I’ve worked with over 200 couples. It’s been such a privilege to be part of their stories and each of them had a special place in my heart.
6. Has there been a special story related to preparing a first dance that particularly stuck with you?
Yes, one couple wanted to recreate a scene from their favorite movie Dirty Dancing but were worried it was impossible. They worked so hard and pulled it off beautifully.
Watching them was something I’ll never forget.
7. How do you work with couples who say, “We can’t dance, we have two left feet”?
I always reassure my couples that everyone starts somewhere! We take it step by step, focusing on natural movements that feel comfortable and authentic. The most important part is to get to know each other, catch the vibe, and discover their dancing capacity as well as their music taste.
Very often, couples come in worried, stressed, and understandably uncomfortable. But once they try the steps and follow my guidance, their confidence starts to shine through. The key is helping them relax and truly enjoy the process — because dancing together should always be fun!
8. Do you create choreography based more on the style of the music or the couple’s personality?
Both are important, but I lean toward the couple’s personality, we always look for the best fitting choroegraphy so they can feel comfortable and enjoy the show themselvs on their big day!
Music sets the mood, but the dance should feel like a true reflection of who they are.
9. Do you notice any trends in wedding dance styles? What’s popular right now?
Some couples are moving away from traditional waltzes and opting for mashups that start slow and end with a fun, upbeat twist— some guests love the surprise!
10. Do couples usually come with a clear vision for their dance or are they looking for inspiration and guidance?
It’s a mix. Some have a song and vision ready, while others just know they want something memorable—so we brainstorm together until we find something really special for them.
11. What brings you the greatest satisfaction in this work?
Seeing a couple step onto the dance floor with pride and love, knowing they’ll cherish that memory forever - that’s the best reward.
12. Do you have your own dream “first dance” that you’d like to perform one day with your beloved?
Absolutely, I’d love to do an amazing routine, something meaningful for both of us - that tells our love story. The song of choice would be a thounds years`
Thank you so much for joining my blog post ! I´m so proud and thankfull for our amazing team!
xoxo Angie
Contact info
https://www.drammendancecompany.com/
E-mail: drammendancecompany@gmail.com
Instagram: @drammendancecompany @catalinandreimihu
Tlf: 45868621
