Tagged with " first dance"
14 Aug
2008
Posted in: DIY & Templates
By Candice    6 Comments

Channeling Your Inner Swayze: To Choreograph or Not To Choreograph

gingerfredastaire.jpgOn Monday I discussed ways to overcome your first dance jitters and mentioned how I wanted to talk about the choreographed first dance. I think couples started to get the idea to do a dance routine during the advent of Dancing With the Stars (I’ve admittedly never watched an episode other than the occasional channel flick and pause, but I do appreciate their AMAZING talent and beauty). So, what is my take on the preplanned dance routine? You may be surprised. While I may have a plan for almost everything personal and professional, I don’t like dance routines and don’t recommend that my couples do one unless dancing is a hobby you both have, it’s something you’ve done for years, or something you both thoroughly enjoy. Why? Well, unless you have some dancing DNA in those jeans (genes?) of yours, it can end up looking overly contrived, stiff, and unnatural. Let’s face it, when normal folks like you and I try our hand at the waltz we don’t look as graceful and elegant as our TV show counterparts. And while the old adage “practice makes perfect” may have gotten you to jam harder on your grade school violin, it may not apply to whizzing around a 300 square foot dance floor with fluidity and grace. I can also guarantee you, with a pretty large degree of certainty, that you’re other half is no Fred Astaire and doesn’t wish to be, either. This brings me to the number one reason why I don’t recommend it to my couples: it is an added level of stress that you both don’t need on your day of. Some people have a hard enough time remembering to recite the vows the minister just spoke, never mind how many counts to the left and right. And when you’re spending more time counting your dance steps and trying to remember your “lines”, you’re spending less time enjoying the moment and each other, which is really the most important.

As I said before, I am a big supporter of taking dance lessons to work with what your momma gave you. It loosens you up and allows the two of you to bond and feel confident about your natural dance ability. Plus, you get to spend some scheduled time together pre-wedding day, which is important!

Part of the The First Dance series

  1. Channeling Your Inner Swayze: To Choreograph or Not To Choreograph
11 Aug
2008
Posted in: Uncategorized
By Candice    5 Comments

The First Dance Jitters

Good morning! I hope everyone had a spectaular weekend — and congrats to all our 8-8-08 Connecticut brides!

lamfirstdance.jpgI was talking with some industry friends recently about the epic first dance and all the anticipation, trepidation, and hesitation that couples go through preparing for it. If you and your partner are shy or born with two left feet, the first dance is naturally going to work up your nerves. I don’t think I’ve met too many couples who haven’t been nervous about their first dance. I’ve even come across some who want to forgo the tradition all together because they are self-conscious about being in front of a crowd. I don’t recommend skipping your first dance. It’s not only a tradition that your guests expect and love to see, but it’s also something that you will regret not having done; don’t let little moments like these slip away because they are important memories that you’ll look back on in the years to come. The first dance is also an important transition from your entrance into dinner. I’ve been to weddings where the first dance was skipped and it is a bit awkward when couples enter the room for the first time as husband and wife and “take a seat” instead.

Image courtesy of the talented Lam from LAM Photography!

So, what do I recommend for overcoming your first dance stage fright? For starters – get over it! You are surrounded by your family and friends.. these people love and support you unconditionally. They don’t care if you can’t dance. As a matter of fact, since you are from the same gene pool, it’s pretty likely that they can’t dance either! The first dance is not about aesthetics or trying to impress… it is an intimate moment that you two share with your guests and it is a fun time to “catch up” on the day’s events as you wiz around the dance floor. It is a very emotional time and not something that comes along often…

If you’re finding it hard to take my first piece of advice, than consider these few tips.

Choose a song that not only has meaning, but has a rhythm that you can dance to. Spend the time researching the perfect song that has a rhythm you both can understand and move to.

Practice! Dance in the kitchen, dance in the living room. Dance, dance, dance! Practice dancing to your song. It’ll make it easier on the big day.

Consider taking a few dance lessons. I like dance lessons for two reasons – one, you get a few tips from a professional which will help boost your confidence. The second thing I love is it is some scheduled time that you two spend together on a Wednesday night. During the weeks leading up to your wedding you may not see each other as often as you like, and this is a perfect way to schedule in a pre wedding date night.

Have the DJ invite your wedding party onto the dance floor a minute or two into the song. With your wedding party joining you a minute or two into the song, you’ll be able to relax a bit and enjoy yourself. You’ll only be in the spotlight for a few moments which will appease Grandma and allow the photographer to get some really beautiful pictures.

Tomorrow… some advice on whether to choreograph your first dance..