OUR WEDDING DANCE BLOG

September 28, 2009

Country Wedding First Dance Song

Filed under: Country Western Wedding,Songs,Types of Wedding Dances — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , — admin @ 11:38 am

Country wedding songs have always been popular ever since I started Our Wedding Dance.

I don’t know if it’s the roots of America coming out at such a wonderful milestone in our lives like a wedding or just the way a good Country song makes you feel when you listen to it’s soulful melody and meaningful lyrics.

And Country songs just seem to be getting more and more popular as a first dance song choice for today’s wedding couples.

This month I had a couple, both graduates of UCLA, that were going to have a three day traditional Indian ceremony but for their first song had chosen “I Can Love You Like That” by Michael Montgomery.  The groom couldn’t stop singing the lyrics to his sweet and adoring fiancee all during rehearsal!

We put together a waltz of flowing steps and twirls and openings out to their adoring fans and in no time the couple were floating across the dance floor looking romantically into each other’s eyes.

My couple also liked to Country 2-Step together and I couldn’t resist telling them about the Great Park’s Country dance night that I had recently attended.  That night the floor was just packed with cowboy hatted gentlemen and booted ladies two stepping up a storm under a sliver of a moon.  Strong evidence to suggest that Country dancing is alive and well in Orange County!

So don’t be afraid to be sentimental with your first dance if that is your style.  Remember the first dance is a reflection of the faucets of your relationship, shone off brilliantly by the shining lights of your eyes on the dance floor of your dreams…

The lyrics of  “I Can Love You Like That” follow for you to see how special they are:

they read you cinderella
you hoped it would come true
and one day a prince charming would come rescue you
you like romantic movies
and you never will forget
the way it felt when romeo kissed juliette
and all this time that you’ve been waiting
you don’t have to wait no more
i can love you like that
i would make you my world
move heaven and earth if you were my girl
i would give you my heart
be all that you need
show you you’re everything that’s precious to me
if you give me a chance, i can love you like that

i never make a promise
i don’t intend to keep
so when i say forever
forever’s what i mean
well i am no casanova
but i swear this much is true,
i’ll be holding nothing back
when it comes to you
you dream of love that’s everlasting
well baby open up your eyes…

i can love you like that
i would make you my world
move heaven and earth if you were my girl
i would give you my heart
be all that you need
show you you’re everything that’s precious to me
if you give me a chance, i can love you like that

if you want tenderness
i’ve got tenderness
and i see through to the heart of you
if you want a man
who will understand
you don’t have to look very far

i can love you, girl i can (i can love you love you)
oh baby oh…
i can love you like that
i would make you my world
move heaven and earth if you were my girl
i would give you my heart
be all that you need
show you you’re everything that’s precious to me
i can love you like that
i can make you my world
move heaven and earth if you were my girl
i would give you my heart
my heart my heart my world
show you you’re everything (you’re everything to me)
love you like that
i can make you my world
move heaven and earth if you were my girl
i would give you my heart
my heart my heart my world
show you you’re everything

September 18, 2009

Steppin’ for First Dance!

Filed under: Testimonials,Types of Wedding Dances — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , — admin @ 2:22 pm

This just in!

Two gorgeous photos… of Roni and Vince’s first dance and wedding held on July 18th 2009.  They were loads of fun to work with and they wanted something a little different for their special song… Chicago Steppin’!

Chicago Steppin’, in case you’re wondering, is a super fun dance that you can see all over YouTube and check out on the internet from coast to coast. You may remember the hit song, “Step In The Name Of Love” by R&B singer R. Kelly.

It is a synchronized dance done with two or more dancers and usually to a 6 or 8 count beat.  Music chosen most often to “step” to includes: Jazz, Soul, Funk, R&B, Neo Soul or Rapp Music.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMz-6Qg9nGI&feature=fvw

To me it feels like a bit of Lindy, Jitterbug and West Coast Swing all rolled up into one easy going and sexy dancing style that has you out on the dance floor for every song the DJ can dish out!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ju8-53NPECc&feature=related

Romantic Twirl!

Romantic Twirl!

Roni and Vince chose the song “This Is Us” by Keyshia Cole and proceeded to visit me for five lessons to learn basic linear and circular Steppin’ steps and also some cute spins, flip flops and dips.

We kept it simple, fun and easy going and relaxed right into it with cool looking footwork just like the big guys back East!

Here are some pictures and a wonderful message from Roni. 

She also sent me one of her favors which was an adorable “Garden Greeting” wildflower seed paper in the shape of a flower with a heart cutout to plant and watch bloom!

Jillian,

Thank you for making our first dance a dream.  Yes, the kid’s did have a hand in helping us on the dance floor.  Everything was so wonderful and we are so happy. 

Thank you again for teaching us to “step” together.  Love, Roni & Vince

So if you’re looking for a first dance that’s a little different from the usual foxtrot or waltz, Chicago Steppin’ might be just the dance for you and your prince or princess charming.  

Email me some song ideas and we can come up with something fun for your dream first dance!

Married!

Married!

September 17, 2009

To Box or Not To Box…

Filed under: Dancing,Types of Wedding Dances — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , — admin @ 12:26 pm

A lot of my wedding couples tell me that they just recently went to a wedding and the bride and groom looked so stiff and robotic doing their choreographed dance that they dreaded ever stepping foot in a dance studio!

“I think they were trying to do the box step.”

“She had this forced smile on her face .”

“He was counting the whole time.”

So what’s the deal with the box and why do so many couples try to learn it for their wedding?

Well, for one thing the box is a very universal dance step and the building block for many other steps.  For another, the box is quite versatile.  You can time it different ways for different dances and give it different looks.

Examples:

1)  Waltz: 1, 2, 3  1, 2, 3 where the beats all get equal time with your steps; most often a 3/4 timing 

2)  Foxtrot: Slow Quick Quick, Slow Quick Quick where a Slow is equal to two counts and a Quick to one count; hence your 4/4 timing

3)  Rumba: Same timing as Foxtrot but with a compressed frame and movement and some sexy Latin hips for the ladies

With one simple step you could conceivably dance to three different types of music at your reception – “Come Away With Me” (waltz), “Feelin Good” (foxtrot) and “The Girl From Ipanema” (rumba)!

So what can you do if you want to try the box?

Well, first off wear the proper shoes to dance in.  By that I mean leave the tennis shoes on the basketball court and the flip flops at the beach.  Try learning the box in leather soled shoes that will flow smoothly over the dance floor.

Second, give yourself some time to learn, make mistakes and even look kind of silly as you sort this whole left foot, right foot thing out.  Trying to learn to dance in a few hours only works on TV and even there I’ll let you in on a big secret – they’re practicing 24/7 with every bigwig in the business before their stunning debuts!

Third, practice thinking about walking not dancing.  We all know how to walk, right?  So use those knees and ankles and swing your legs from your hip joints – just like when you walk down the street.

With a little time, patience and practice your box step can look like second nature and everyone will think you’ve been doing it all your life when they see you dancing your first dance.  :-)

September 14, 2009

She’s Got A Way About Her…

Filed under: Testimonials,Types of Wedding Dances — Tags: , , , , — admin @ 1:45 pm
Russ and Ruth Wedding Dancing

Russ and Ruth Wedding Dancing

I’m always overjoyed to receive testimonials and pictures from my graduated couples and this a.m. I was doubly happy to not only receive a wonderful email but from a couple who just got married last week!

Russ and Ruth came to me with not much time before their big day.  But we managed to get in a  two hour lesson block and kept it simple and elegant. 

Soon Russ was boxing like he’d been dancing all his life and Ruth was smiling like the brightest star in the Fall night sky.

Here’s what they had to say after their big day…

Jillian,

People told us it was the best wedding they ever went to.  We had a great time.  Our dance routine was flawless.  Even the dip.  

Thanks again.  Russ and Ruth

And beforehand…

Thank you for making our very first dance lesson [ever] comfortable and relaxed.  We already practiced our routine last night and found your notes to be very useful.

Russ and Ruth

Russ and Ruth

September 8, 2009

Argentine Tango Wedding Dance

Filed under: Dancing,Types of Wedding Dances — Tags: , , , , , , , , , — admin @ 11:46 am

Argentine Tango

The mere words sound romantic.

Argentine Tango Wedding Dance

Now you’ve got double the romance and double the dance!

Argentine Tango is really catching on among my wedding couples.  In the past three years I’ve gone from one or two emails a year asking about the dance to two or three emails a month.

Check out my Argentine Tango Wedding Dance site here.  Click here for May and Jeff’s practice dance or click here for DeDe and Robert’s practice dance.

If you’re adventuresome and want something that is really fun, sexy and cozy with your loved one then this is the dance for you.

I admit it does take a bit longer to learn and rehearse than your typical sways and boxes and ladies under arm turns of the foxtrot and waltz but is it worth it!

DeDe and Robert do an Argentine Tango "little sit" for the ending!

DeDe and Robert do an Argentine Tango "little sit" for the ending!

I’ve had couples put together some great Argentine Tango dances with just the basic AT walk, forward ochos (that’s the figure eight move for the Lady) and some picture lines.  All this with just a few more lessons than the five you’ll need for the foxtrot or waltz first dance.

Of course you’ll want to consider the bridal gown if you’re interested in an AT wedding dance.  A lot of my brides doing this dance are already wearing a mermaid style gown or have another slinkier gown they’ll be changing into for their first dance.

Music is important too.  I’ve had couples use all kinds of music for their dance. 

Some liked the more traditional feel of actual Argentine Tango music (don’t worry I’ve got a lot of this!) and others wanted the music from Scent of a Woman or a more contemporary tune like Alicia Keys, No More. 

Email me  if you would like to know if the song you want to use would work for an AT Wedding Dance. 

And remember your dance should reflect your relationship and how you feel about each other so the sky’s the limit… :-)

September 3, 2009

Fall Wedding Season

Filed under: Dancing,Types of Wedding Dances — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , — admin @ 8:47 am

Well, it’s back to school time and the last of my Summer brides and grooms have gotten married.  It was a whirlwind of a season and amid the hustle and bustle and blast of summer heat we had fun!

But now Fall is in the air and I must say I’ve watched over the years as Fall weddings have become more and more popular.  I don’t know if it’s the recession or global warming but a lot of my couples have told me that they feel it’s just all around better for everyone to have that big day in  September, October or November.

It’s my favorite time of year… I love the sounds, sights and smells of Fall.  Just yesterday I made homemade apple raisin spice cookies as if willing the weather to change and the leaves to turn.

Right now I’ve got a lot of happy Fall brides and grooms, dads and daughters and moms and dads dancing away for that big day and here’s a sampling of what some of them are working on…

Bride and Groom First Dance

Getting married September 19th 2009 at the Crown Plaza this bride and groom are dancing to the song “Only You” by Josh Radin.  They’re coming down to the wire and this wonderful couple, who have known each other since they were teenagers, have combined a foxtrot with a night club 2-step to show off a traditional look to their crowd but also have the fun of an intimate dance that feels cozy with each other. 

Getting married October 9th 2009 this bride and groom will be dancing to “By Your Side” by Sade at the Westin South Coast Plaza.  They started early since they’ve got challenging work schedules to juggle and they’re on their fourth lesson tonight and doing a great job with their four foxtrot  and three rumba moves.  His frame is impeccable and she is following now with graciousness and style.

Father/Daughter Dance

This dad and daughter are doing a dear dance to “I Loved Her First” on September 27th 2009.  They are actually partners in a business together and I have to say that if their business partnership is as fun and fullfilling as their dance partnership well then they are rich indeed!  She follows well with her tinkling laugh breaking out every couple of minutes as her dad masterfully leads her through their simple but lovely dance.  They agree on just about everything from what steps to learn to the order of their choreography and I can tell they’re two peas from a perfect pod!

***

“Winter is an etching,

Spring a watercolor,

Summer an oil painting

and Autumn a mosaic of them all.” 

- Stanley Horowitz

Fall Dance Lessons for your Wedding Dance

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