Learning to cha-cha, from left, Jan Sheldon and James Sherman follow instructor Shirley Barrand at the South Park Recreation Center.

Tiffany Jackson Russell loves to dance — in the car, at the grocery store and, well, pretty much anywhere. But when it came to her wedding, the physical education teacher knew she would have to step it up. And that meant bringing in a professional to improve her moves.

Jackson Russell isn’t alone. Many brides- and grooms-to-be are signing up for lessons so they can impress their guests during the traditional first dance. Whether the couple want a quick, one-day class or an in-depth, all-out ballroom tutorial, options abound in Lawrence.

The Camelot Ballroom II, 106 W. North Park St., is where Jackson Russell and her husband, Scott, gained their skills. They took part in the group dance classes that Camelot II offers on Sunday nights for just $10 per person. There are no membership fees, and couples can pay as they go, says Bridget Janner, office manager.

Jackson Russell says the laid-back approach helped her and her then-fiancé de-stress and enjoy time together. As they attended the classes, they learned salsa, the waltz and swing dancing.

“It was very casual,” Jackson Russell says. “It was a small group, very relaxed. If you missed a week, they helped you catch up. It was a blast.”

In fact, the couple enjoyed their dance lessons so much they decided to bring their whole wedding party to Camelot II for a few turns around the dance floor after the rehearsal dinner.

“Everyone loved it,” Jackson Russell says.

Of course, the big moment came at their wedding in November — their first dance as husband and wife.

“We picked a really hard song, and we were so nervous,” Jackson Russell says. “Everyone was watching us. But it was fine. Of course after that, we relaxed and did a lot more dancing.”

Camelot II also offers private dance lessons for $70 per hour for up to six people, perfect for a bride, a groom and two sets of parents. Janner says most couples could achieve the right amount of dance skills in four to six hours of private lessons.

Lawrence Parks and Recreation also offers ballroom dance classes. One of its most popular is called “Wedding Dance Crash Course.” This three-hour workshop teaches couples the basics of footwork, timing and posture.

Mike Salerno is the instructor. He says couples learn three dances during the short course: nightclub sway, swing and waltz.

“We also talk about things they’ll need to know for their wedding dance,” Salerno says. “What kind of shoes to wear, what songs will work best. It really is a crash course.”

The class is open to anyone: couples getting married or people who are going to be attending a wedding.

Salerno says couples could attend the crash course more than once if they felt they needed more practice. Wedding Dance Crash Course, which Salerno has taught for Lawrence Parks and Recreation for about five years, is offered every other month. The cost is $30 per couple.

“I give them the tools to put on a great show for their guests,” Salerno says.

Jo Ellis, recreation programs supervisor for Lawrence Parks and Recreation, says the department also offers an eight-week general ballroom dance class. Interested brides and grooms can register on the Parks and Recreation Web site, www.lprd.org. The class offers step-by-step instructions in everything from the cha-cha to the waltz. The fee is $70.

Jackson Russell says she was happy she decided to take ballroom dance lessons for her wedding.

“I think we’ll use these skills for a lifetime,” she says.