Sooo what are your New Year’s resolutions?

… Maybe get married?

… Maybe get some dance lessons?

… Maybe have a fun and romantic first dance?

Thought so

Happy 2012!

Trends for 2012 include keeping that guest list small, going “green” and having the wedding that says “you” all over it…

What better way to say “you” than having a first dance that showcases you and your new spouse dancing to the song that is totally “you”?

Well, if you’ve got that resolution then the time to start is NOW!

A couple of dance lessons getting you both into the lead and follow of it will go a long way toward helping you to feel “oh-so-comfortable” on the dance floor in front of all your nearest and dearest.

Remember first dances can be anything you like them to be… from a friendly twirl and sway combo to a romantic dip and cuddle medley with a sweet kiss here and there.

You can make the dancing go to the song or make the song go to your dancing!

You can showcase the extrovert of the two of you or you can “just dance” and let everyone watch how you smile and have fun with each other.

Whatever you like is whatever we can do.

“Just dance!”

Contact me today to find out more about dance lessons and what you can learn to your special song.  I’ve got lots of song suggestions on my website and in my iPod so don’t hesitate to tell me what you’re imagining and we’ll make it happen.

Here’s to a happy and healthy 2012!

Fondly, Jillian

Visit my FaceBook for some fun 2012 trends… “nude” shoes and bouquets are in and of course vintage weddings and “good night stations”…

Happy New Year from Jillian!

Our Wedding Dance Gift Certificates Make Great Gifts!

Shopping on-line for that special gift?

Look no further…

How about a gift certificate for the 2012 bride and groom on your list?  Or 2012 Mom and Dad of the bride or groom on your list!

I bet they’d find a gift certificate for 1, 2, 3 or more dance lessons to make their first dance or dances sparkle a welcome surprise in their stocking on Christmas morning.

Every year I hear the same thing – it’s getting harder and harder to find something fun and practical to give friends and family members at the holidays.

And do they really need another sweater or blender or pair of candlesticks???

Dance lessons are something that couples can do together and get a real kick out of the process.

And I promise to make it fun and entertaining for all involved!

I bet everyone will thank you loads when the big day rolls around and they look comfortable and happy on the dance floor – no high school prom swaying involved.  

Click here to visit my gift certificates page or give me a call or text at 949.400.7347 or email me at Jillian@OurWeddingDance.com

I can email you a personalized gift certificate ready to print out on your printer today.

And I take cc’s over the phone to make it as easy as possible for you to get those last minute gifts taken care of for 2011.

Happy Holidays to all you 2012 brides and grooms,

Jillian xxoo

My Cockatiel - Tweet!

RAIN!

Ok, so you haven’t really even dared to think about it, but there it is staring you in the face!

RAIN

The Weather Channel is calling for some “scattered showers” on your day of days!

Well, there’s no time like the present to think about that “possibility of rain” and plan for it.  Talk to your wedding planner about a “Rain Plan” and what your options may be for you and your groom and guests.

If your wedding is going to be outside look into some good old fashioned tents to keep everyone dry while your pictures turn out gorgeously!

It’s a known fact that photos taken in the rain are really fantastic but of course no one wants to catch a cold or be too uncomfortable.  Click here for a cute rainy day wedding article and adorable groom and best man pic walking in the wet stuff!

And there are always umbrellas and don’t forget they come in some pretty fashionable looks and colors these days.  All the way from white to clear and some bold black ones for the groomsmen and colors to match the bridesmaid’s dresses.  Click here for some info.  Click here for some adorable pics of “Wellies” for your wedding day.

Warm drinks and warm food can really help with the chill so discuss some “Rain Plan Refreshments” with your caterer.  After all, it could be fun to have a bit of a sprinkle and some hot apple cider and warm cookies on your special day.

Did you know that in many cultures rain on the wedding day is considered quite lucky?  The idea is a “wet knot” is harder to untie and since marriage is often referred to as “tying the knot” there you have it!

What about that dance?  Again, if you’re going to be outside you may want a “Plan B” for your dance since you’ll want to be safe in your high heels and not get your dress wet and dirty on the ground.  Luckily dancing stirs up the blood so at least you’ll be warm waltzing, foxtroting or whatevering with your dashing groom!

And finally remember… your wedding day will be absolutely fantastic simply because it is your wedding day!  And no little sprinkles from the sky can change that fact.

Happy Wedding Day even if it rains…

Jillian

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Visit my web sites at:

Our Wedding Dance

Argentine Tango Wedding Dance

Ballroom Dance With Jillian

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Cell for text and message:  949.400.7347

Email:  Jillian@OurWeddingDance.com

Bridal Veil Lengths

The wedding veil and… the first dance!

Will you be dancing your first dance with your veil on?

If you answered yes, how long or short is it?

Does it reach to the floor?

Just a “finger tip”?

A “blusher”?

Whatever the veil is let me know about it when I’m learning about your special clothing and shoe issues you have for your first dance.

A long veil has the hidden “opportunity” of getting wound-up around the groom’s arms as he leads the bride in a twirl or cuddle… and we don’t want him to end up trapped in a web of white netting!

Shorter veils don’t get in the way as much however, there is still the chance that the groom may take his lovely bride into the dance frame and trap the veil underneath his right hand on her back.

This would not be optimal since he certainly doesn’t want to pull anything (read that hair and veil attachment combs or pins) that might endanger the bride’s carefully coiffured wedding day hair-do!

Here are a few dos and don’ts for first dances with veils:

1. Do consider bringing a “practice veil” of the proper length to one of your dance lessons if you think your veil could be an important accessory for your groom to remember;
2. Do consider removing your veil if your first dance is going to be a frisky swing or salsa (you can always put it right back on afterwards!);
3. Don’t worry if you are really in love with your veil or it goes super perfectly with your amazing gown – we can always work out the logistics with your groom and you and the veil will be safe from embarrassing windups or hair disasters;
4. Don’t forget to let me know how you’ll be dressed either before your first lesson, so your groom won’t hear about THE dress, or we can send your groom to get a drink of water and you can show me a picture on your phone and give me all the details.

Want to know more about all the different types of wedding veils?

Visit this informative web page at http://www.wedding-veil.com/how-to-choose-a-veil-old.html on “How To Choose A Perfect Veil”.

Happy almost Halloween & hope you get lots of treats!

xxoo Jillian

Visit my couple’s testimonials page at http://ourweddingdance.com/couples.htm to read wonderful notes from so many of my fantastic brides and grooms.  You can always email me at Jillian@OurWeddingDance.com or text or call me at 949.400.7347 about your wedding veil!

If your wedding is coming up in October, November or December now is the time to consider your first dance!

Will it be slow and romantic or upbeat and swingy?  Will your dance have  lots of movement  to show off a big dance floor or are you working with a small square or runway floor and need something compact?

Don’t have a song yet?

Well, let me tell you what some of my couples are using right now so you can get those creative juices flowing!

Click on the (Lyrics) link to see the wonderful words to these great first dance songs and see if they don’t just describe your relationship perfectly!

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First Dance Songs!

“Wrapped Up In You” by Garth Brooks (Lyrics)

“Someone Like You” by Van Morrison (Lyrics)

“Yellow” by Coldplay (Lyrics)

“Better Together” by Jack Johnson (Lyrics)

“When The Stars Go Blue” by Tim McGraw (Lyrics)

“I Knew I Loved You Before I Met You” by Savage Garden (Lyrics)

“These Are The Days” by Van Morrison (Lyrics)

“L-O-V-E” by Frank Sinatra (Lyrics)

“I’ve Got You Under My Skin” by Michael Buble (Lyrics)

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Whatever song you choose you’ll want to get started soon on learning how to lead (gentlemen) and how to follow (ladies).

I write everything down at the end of each lesson so you have something to practice with at home and you’re always welcome to bring your phone or camera and we can video some steps too!

Remember the further away from the big day you start the more the dancing steps and technique have a chance to get into your muscle memory.

After all don’t you want to be gazing into each others eyes rather than trying to remember what comes next in your dance

For more song suggestions visit my Music page at:

http://www.OurWeddingDance.com/wedding-music.htm

And… you can always text me at 949.400.7347 and ask me what type of dance would go well with the song or songs you’re thinking of using!

Happy September,

Jillian

OurWeddingDance.com

BallroomDanceWithJillian.com

ArgentineTangoWeddingDance.com

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EMAIL:  Jillian@OurWeddingDance.com

“I’m so excited… and I just can’t hide it”!

OurWeddingDance.com

Well, it took some time but all good things do – don’t they?

There are lots of links to some great first dance and father daughter dance song selections as well as some even more wonderful (if that could be possible!) testimonials from my  students.

There is so much to see and experience on the site and I absolutely love the new top page full of beauty and color.

After all isn’t that what it’s all about?

Beauty in your dance for all to see your love for each other…

Beauty in your dancing with each other so you can feel fun and romantic…

And beauty in your marriage for the rest of your wonderful lives together…

With 69 pages on the site I think there is literally something for everyone here!

So browse a bit and let me know what you think…

And don’t forget to email me at Jillian@OurWeddingDance.com with all your questions about first dances and first dance songs.  I can’t wait to help you dance your reception away to your special first dance song and all your music!

Happy Labor Day,

Jillian (Click here, here and here for some sample first dances!)

Phuong & Richard

Visit the Our Wedding Dance page on Music at:

http://ourweddingdance.com/wedding-music.htm

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Visit the Our Wedding Dance page on Testimonials at:

http://ourweddingdance.com/jillians-testimonials.htm

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Visit the Our Wedding Dance page on my Couples at:

http://ourweddingdance.com/couples.htm

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Dance Lessons taught at Avant Garde Ballroom  at 4220 Scott Place Newport Beach, CA  92660.  Contact Jillian by phone or text 24/7 at 949.400.7347.

And your wedding is coming up in the middle of it all…

So what can you do to make you and your guests more comfortable?

Water, Water, Everywhere

By now everyone knows to have plenty of liquids (and read that water!) on hand for you and your guests.

“De-bug”

Bug off is a good idea too if you think you’ll be in an area where you’ve got critters that may want to help you celebrate.

Favors

And of course the weather is a good excuse to offer your guests some nice favors that can help them beat the heat.

Fans for your fans!

Summer wedding dance?

Well, summer time might not be the optimal time for that energetic Viennese waltz you were thinking about.

Or that faster than lightning Salsa dance that caught your attention on YouTube!

And it all depends on your song…

Summer first dances are fun to do to beachy, reggae tunes or slow, sexy rumbas that ooze across the floor or lazy foxtrots and waltzes.

After all who wants to break a three towel sweat (“glow” for us ladies) that makes makeup run like a marathoner and tests even the best deodorants???

Here are two cool tunes for Summer sashays on the wedding dance floor that you haven’t heard a hundred times:

“Slow Dance Slow” by This Blue Heaven (click for YouTube)

Maybe it all ends
Right here tonight
And all that’s left will be
Me and the starlight
Maybe I’ll float away from here
Without you dear
Hold me anyway

Slow, dance slow with me
Heart to heartbeat
Slow, dance slow
One more time

Sing me a lullaby
In my ear now
The moon is black tonight
And my head is full
Make it all fade away
Like only you can do
Say it’ll be okay

Slow, dance slow with me
Heart to heartbeat
Slow, dance slow
One more time

My hand in yours
Your cheek on mine
Time’s restless sand can fall
Around us tonight

Slow, dance slow with me
Heart to heartbeat
Slow, dance slow
One more time
Slow, dance slow with me
Heart to heartbeat
Slow, dance slow
One more time

I dreamed that we were in a ballroom
Dressed up tie and gown
Tethered and winding, spinning and shining
Like angels floating down

We danced the night away
We danced the night away
We danced the night away
We danced the night away

We danced all time away
We danced all time away
We danced all time away
We danced all time away

Slow, dance slow
One more time
Slow, dance slow with me
Heart to heartbeat

I Wanna Love You Forever by Jessica Simpson (click for YouTube)

You set my soul at ease
Chased darkness out of view
Left your desperate spell on me
Say you feel it too
I know you do
I’ve got so much more to give
This can’t die, I yearn to live
Pour yourself all over me
And I’ll cherish every drop here on my knees

[CHORUS]
I wanna love you forever
And this is all I’m asking of you
10,000 lifetimes together
Is that so much for you to do?
Cause from the moment that I saw your face
And felt the fire in your sweet embrace
I swear I knew.
I’m gonna love you forever

My mind fails to understand
What my heart tells me to do
And I’d give up all I have just to be with you
and that would do
I’ve always been taught to win
And I never thought I’d fall
Be at the mercy of a man
I’ve never been
Now I only want to be right where you are.

[CHORUS]

In my life I’ve learned that heaven never waits no
Lets take this now before it’s gone like yesterday
Cause when I’m with you there’s nowhere else
That I would ever wanna be no
I’m breathing for the next second I can feel you
Loving me … I’m gonna love

[CHORUS]

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And what to play to get those guests out there dancing and having fun?

Well, turn on the misters and how about this summer sensation mix…

Best Dance Songs – Music 2011 (Summer 2011) Top 5 Hits Mix by George Deejay

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You can check out some interesting articles on beating the heat at Summer weddings here and here.

And call me at 949.400.7347 or email me at Jillian@OurWeddingDance.com to talk about your wedding dance ideas!

Stay cool…

xxoo Jillian

OurWeddingDance.com

ArgentineTangoWeddingDance.com

BallroomDanceWithJillian.com

Love Is In The Air

Wedding Shoes!

Wedding Shoes

Whew, just the mere mention can send brides into a whir of activity stalking the perfect shoes on the web, in stores and through catalogs.

And I might add wedding shoes have been the source of more than a few interesting moments for the first dance!

What type of shoe is best for your wedding?

Well, only you can answer that one…

Since you know how “tall” you want to be in your dress, standing next to your groom and of course comfort-wise on the big day.

As far as what type of shoe is best for your wedding dance… well I can offer some ideas in that area!

First off, shoes that have a “back” are usually best for the dance.

If your shoe is open-backed you’ll find there is a slight noise of a “clunk” as you step each time which might be heard at least by you and your adoring groom as you dance, especially if your song is a soft one.  This extra “note” could throw off your groom who is trying very hard to stay with your music and feel awkward to you as well.

Second, shoes that are of moderate height for your size are usually best.

With shoes 3 1/2 inches or higher,  you’re going to be basically “dancing on your toes” and you’ll need to balance all that height that thrusts your body forward with your head weight, keeping your head well-arranged “back” on your spine.

Third, shoes that don’t cramp your feet or produce mind-boggling blisters and bruises.

If you put the shoes on and they are the “shoes of your wedding dreams” and they are killing you, what can you do?  Check out  shoe inserts to “stick” inside your shoes available at drugstores, PayLess, Nordstroms, beauty supply stores and on line at Foot Petals. You can “decorate” the inside of your shoe straps, the base of the shoe, the rounded space in the toe areas and anywhere in between.  “Walk” the shoes around lots on carpet and “dance” them about as well.

Don’t forget there’s always the option to have a couple of pair of wedding shoes!

I’ve had brides choose the perfect shoes for the ceremony (yes they’re high ones!) and then change into the perfect shoes for the reception (lower heels and good for dancing!).

Of course I can teach you how to dance the dance figures and technique in just about any shoes you bring in and yes, I’ve seen some interesting wedding shoes!

One of my brides sold reallllly high heels that could be used by pole dancers!  We kept the movement doable in her clear “glass” slippers and she looked fantastic in her “high rises on heels”.

Whatever dream wedding shoes you have you may want to wear them the very last dance lesson to get a feel for their height and movement in your dance.

Especially if you’re doing a swing or an energetic Latin or Country dance, the type of shoes you wear will make a difference in how you grip the floor and execute the figures and technique.

You can always email me a picture of your shoes and I can let you know what my experience has been working with them!  After all I’ve taught over six hundred ladies’ feet a year for over ten years and that’s a lot of wedding shoes!

Happy hunting for the perfect shoes – Cinderellas!

xxoo Jillian

Contact me by phone at 949.400.7347 or Email at Jillian@OurWeddingDance.com

Visit my web sites at:

OurWeddingDance.com

ArgentineTangoWeddingDance.com

BallroomDanceWithJillian.com

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Wedding Shoes!

Sure – you’ve got to concentrate on your first dance…

But while you’re at it why not throw in a little time with your dad to get him up and going?

Some dads aren’t so sure about that Father Daughter dance in the first place so why not be the first to mention the topic and suggest some real one-on-one time to get him good and ready?

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Is he a romantic and will shed more than a tear or two on your big day as he gives you away?

Is your dad a real ham – a performer with a capital “P”, ready to do it up big?

Or is he scared to death and would prefer to hire a Hollywood look-alike to dance his part?

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Whatever your dad is like there is a song and a dance out there that’s just right for your relationship.

I’ve had dads use popular songs, country songs, old favorites from their youth and one dad even used a song his daughter had recorded that she sang for him.  (Now that’s just adorable!)

I can keep it simple with some lead and follow techniques and just a few twirls and moves around the dance floor.

Or we can go for it and do a whole routine where dad shines at his best moves; with or without that famous chicken footwork he’s known for!

Whatever your dad wants, and you agree he can have (ha, ha), we’ll do and have a good time in the process.

Don’t be afraid to get out there with your dad…

Give dad a chance on his dance and you may just think that part of your reception video was one of the best!

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Have fun listening to these Father Daughter Dance song ideas:

1. All My Days, Alexi Murdoch
2. Father & Daughter, Paul Simon
3. Wonderful World, Louis Armstrong
4. Unforgettable, Natalie Cole
5. The Way You Look Tonight, Frank Sinatra
6. My Girl, The Temptations
7. Daughter, Loudon Wainwright III
8. Through The Years, Kenny Rogers
9. You Got A Friend, James Taylor
10. You Are So Beautiful, Joe Cocker
11. Gracie, Ben Folds
12. Kind & Generous, Natalie Merchant
13. When You Come Back Down, Nickel Creek
14. All You Need Is Love, The Beatles
15. God Only Knows, The Beach Boys
16. Take Good Care Of My Baby, Bobby Vee
17. You Got It, Ray Orbison
18. I Loved Her First, Heartland
19. My Little Girl, Tim McGraw
20. That’s How Strong My Love Is, Otis Redding

Call Jillian at 949.400.7347 or Email today to get a start on that Father Daughter Dance and Happy Father’s Day to all you dads out there!!!

Father Daughter Dance!

“Flames” by Vast

Click here for the YouTube.

And lyrics are below:

Close your eyes
Let me touch you now
Let me give you something that is real
Close the door
Leave your fears behind
Let me give you what you’re giving me
You are the only thing
That makes me want to live at all
When I am with you
There’s no reason to pretend that
When I am with you
I feel flames again
Just put me inside you
I would never ever leave
Just put me inside you
I would never ever leave you

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Ok, so who says there aren’t some new and now 1st dance songs out there to choose from??

Happy searching for your perfect song and call me when you’re ready to dance!

Remember even one lesson is better than none at all. 

Happy almost June!

Jillian

949 400 7347

OurWeddingDance.com

BallroomDanceWithJillian.com

ArgentineTangoWeddingDance.com

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Email Jillian at Jillian@OurWeddingDance.com

Jillian at the Wild Animal Park!