We had a fantastic wedding and were so pleased with our dance lessons.  Todd and I were actually receiving applause each time we did a twirl…. good stuff!!  We practiced everyday after we last saw you and did pretty well, except for one slip on the dress.  But I don’t think anyone really noticed.

Our photographer surprised us and one of his assistants was taking video so he put together this little montage in a link below.  The second half of the video is pretty much of us dancing.  He didn’t get all of our smooth moves but they got a good essence of the dance.  And Todd and I decided to practice before the grand entrance so they got some great shots of the dance under the sun set.

So no photos yet of the dress but I think you will get a good idea of you watch the second half (it is only 3 minutes long).

Thanks again for all of your help and we wish you the best of luck!

Warm Regards,
Alyssa

Video of Alyssa and Todd from HoffmannPhotographer.com

***

Happy end of Summer, Jillian

OurWeddingDance.com

949.400.7347

Butterfly in my Garden!

Pictures* hot off the press from Lindsey and Scott’s romantic Summer wedding.

Lindsey & Scott Dance!

Oh my, oh my – I couldn’t wait to post these gorgeous pictures from Lindsey & Scott’s wedding reception July 24th at the Huntington Beach Hyatt.

They danced an adorable foxtrot to “So Beautiful” by Darin Hayes.

The bride was a tad on the shy side so we kept the moves intimate, fun and flirty and all angled toward the groom to keep the couple using the floor lots and showing off Lindsey’s amazing gown.

Lindsey sent me an email on July 26th just two days after the big day saying,

Hi, I just wanted to let you know everyone liked our dance.  We messed up a little but it was ok everyone thought it was cute and really enjoyed it!  So we wanted to thank you so much!!  Lindsey and Scott

And…

Their outstanding and charming wedding planner, Christine Baumgartner of The Perfect Day sent me an email as well!

Hi Jillian,

I wanted to let you know that Lindsey and Scott did a wonderful first dance at their reception.  They looked lovely and happy.  They both told me how much they enjoyed working with you.

Thanks again for helping them, Christine

In Love!

I just love to hear back from everyone about their big day and see all the pictures.

Call me with any questions about your special first dance.

I can’t wait to get started, Jillian

OurWeddingDance.com

ArgentineTangoWeddingDance.com

949.400.7347

Just Dreamy!

*Photography by Priscila Valentina Photography

Visit her web site at PriscilaValentina.com

This past weekend kicked off the Irvine Barclay Theatre sponsored Summer Festival with a wonderful swing dance party to Swingtown Friday, August 6th and an equally rousing mariachi concert to Mariachi Reyna de Los Angeles Saturday, August 7th.

I must admit I raced out the door to swing it with Swingtown not wanting to be late for their 8pm start, remembering the long snake-like lines of cars from last year that kept me tapping my toes in the car and not on the dance floor.

Much to my happy surprise the Park had rethought their entrance procedures bringing in people from the other side and having four ticket lanes prepared to take your $10 parking fee (up from the $8 of last year) parking cars in a closer parking lot with other attendants guiding you into the spaces a la Disneyland.

Golf carts were again available to ferry you and your friends on up to the front gate leaving me thinking all this needed was a nice glass of chardonnay to complete the pampered arrival experience. 

The band was placed on the short side of the dance floor this year giving a delightful view behind them of the Great Park’s vibrantly lit orange balloon going up and down all night in the cool summer sky.

We were greeted by an absolutely packed and well-lit floor with people of all ages swinging up a storm.  I spotted toddlers boinging like miniature Tiggers all the way to  senior citizens lindy hopping with enthusiasm.

Saturday’s fabulous all woman professional mariachi ensemble of ten ladies in very impressive giant sombreros was equally enjoyable and well attended.

Together for more than 16 years, this group of talented musicians and singers kept the audience singing along to familiar tunes, clapping their hands and swaying back and forth in their seats.

Of course, I had to drift to the back of the seated group and enjoy a couple of rumbas and polkas with my honey to the irresistible beats.  Who says you can’t dance just about anywhere??

So if you’re asking yourself  where you can go this Summer to dance or just plain be entertained where it doesn’t cost an arm and leg for admission, you don’t have to drive in wall to wall traffic to get to and it isn’t too hot and claustrophobic once you finally get in… give the Great Park Friday Night Dance Parties and Great Park Saturday Night Concerts a try.

I’ve written out their schedules with links below and if you want to ask me in advance for a couple of steps to have fun out of the dance floor, well I wouldn’t mind one bit throwing them in with our work on your wonderful  wedding dance.

Happy Summertime,

Jillian

949.400.7347

Jillian@OurWeddingDance.com

***

Friday Night Dance Parties*

August 6:  Swingtown (Swing)

August 13:  Lucky 7 Mambo (Afro-Cuban)

August 20th:  DJ Hapa & DJ Casey Connor (NY/LA DJs spin the spectrum dance music)

August 27th:  Hector del Curto’s Eternal Tango Quintet (Argentine Tango)

September 3rd:  Steve Lucky and the Rhumba Bums with Miss Carmen Getit (Swing, West Coast Jump Blues and R&B)

September 10th:  Big Sandy and His Fly-Rite Boys (R&B and Rockabily)

September 17th:  The Jerry Mandel Swinging the Standards Jazz Band (Gershwin, Porter, Sinatra, Bennett & more)

September 24th:  Waltz Me (Strauss and Ballroom)

***

Saturday Night Concerts*

August 7th:  Mariachi Reyna de Los Angeles (First all-woman pro mariachi ensemble in the US)

August 14th:  Big Bad Voodoo Daddy (A favorite from last summer – swing it!)

August 21st:  Last For One (World champion b-boy dance crew from Korea)

August 28th:  Te Vaka (Music from the Polynesian Triangle, New Zealand to Tahiti)

September 4th:  ScrapArtsMusic (World-famous group will play instruments made from recycled industrial scraps!)

September 11th:  Blind Boys of Alabama (Gospel, Soul, Blues & Funk)

September 18th:  Donavon Frankenreiter (OC native musician and pro surfer, hang ten!)

September 25th:  BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet with Big Chief Monk Boudreaus and the Mardi Gras Indians (Cajun band, Mardi Gras to the OC)

*Admission is free, Parking $10/car, 8pm.

Jillian at the Great Park!

Well today I opened up my email and what should appear?

But their fabulous YouTube of their surprise belly dance!

Thought you might get a kick out of it, so here it is… great music!

We did some gorgeous shimmies and shakes while keeping everything “wedding reception appropriate” and then the bride invited the groom out of his chair to do some dancing of his own!

If you’re thinking about doing something a little different with your first dance – go ahead, I would love to help you realize your dream! Your first dance is your expression of your individual relationship and your special love for each other so let your imagination roll.

Call Jillian at 949 400 7347 and get started today.

Lisa & Ryan Dancing!

Hot off the press!

Lisa and Ryan – just married Saturday June 26th – sent me an email to let me know how their big day went and included this adorable picture.

Lisa looks oh-so-sexy in her gorgeous gown with the perfect flower in her long flowing curls and Ryan is the quintessential adoring husband in his dashing white suit.

***

Hi Jillian!

We wanted to send you a quick pic of us dancing as a sneak peak before we get the video back.

Our wedding was simply magical.

And SO many people complimented us on our first dance.

It went beautifully and we greatly appreciate your support and guidance with our fun, fun lessons.  We will send you a video clip as soon as we receive it.

Cheers, Lisa & Ryan

***

Lisa and Ryan danced on their big day to “L-O-V-E” and also learned dance routines of five to eight figures in merengue, cha cha, swing and more foxtrot to their second fav song “Feeling Good” to wow their guests all through their reception with their fun and kicky couple dancing.

I can’t wait to see their video and hear more about their fabulous wedding and reception.  They were such a wonderful couple to work with and I shall think of them often, especially when I’m teaching dance in the early morning!

***

Here’s their sweet thank you note and a picture of their gifts to me.  I got a bottle of  Old Moon zin that they served their guests and a large plant of what they did smaller for guest favors. 

Jillian,

Thank you for being the most patient, persistent, OUTRAGEOUS dance teacher ever!

Your guidance the past few months has meant more to us than you know.  We feel so much more prepared for our big day.

We’re going to blow them away!!

Many thanks, Lisa & Ryan

Lovey Gifts

Happy honeymooning in St. Lucia Lisa and Ryan!

And may you dance up a storm with your merengue and cha cha in the romantic tropical evenings…

***

Visit the Our Wedding Dance Testimonials page at http://ourweddingdance.com/testimonials.htm for more sparkling testimonials from my couples.

Happy Summer, Jillian

Tel: 949.400.7347 or Email: Jillian@OurWeddingDance.com

When your guests watch your first dance do you think they’re looking at your feet?

Probably not.

The bride’s feet are most likely hidden by her dress and the groom’s feet may possibly be as well.

Your guests’ gazes are on your radiant faces and your dancing frame, that is your arms connected to each other hand to hand on one side and the groom’s right hand upon the back of the bride on the other.

The frame can make or break a dancing couple.

A “noodle” frame can make the dancing couple look soft and squishy and make the lead and follow very difficult to give and take.

A “rigid” frame can make the bride and groom look stiff and awkward and may even actually hurt the bride to take the lead, especially if her dashing groom is a strong armed one!

So what’s the best frame for dancing?

The leader should always frame up or down to the height of the follower.

I like to start my couples off by having the bride put her arms out to her sides, horizontally from her waist so the groom can see what looks good with her shoulders.

Especially if the groom is six feet three and bride is four feet five I want to make sure that their dancing frame is angled to her height not his.  After all she would look rather silly dancing her arms way up to him for their first dance!

Having established her correct frame height, then we move on to the bride’s three connection points and I focus on  impressing upon them the necessity for an “energy transference” toward each other at all times.  No one person should pull away or just plain “not be available” to the other in the frame.

Once we have the frame we move side to side and forward and back in it.

We walk in it.

We sway in it.

We get used to it.

People don’t really dance like this anymore so it can take a little getting used to the frame once you’re in it.

My grooms sometimes say it is hard to keep holding up their arms.  This might mean the bride is being “heavy” and using her groom’s arms as an arm “easy chair”.

My brides sometimes say that they feel like they’re “in the harness” of the frame and can’t move easily within it.  This might mean that the groom is holding her too stiffly and not letting the lead be communicated easily through his arms and his connection points.

During our first lesson we work hard to alleviate any stress in the dancing couple’s frame and make it a positive part of the dancing.  Since the frame connection is the pretty part and, I think, the romantic part it is vitally important that it work for us in the first dance.

Be it a foxtrot frame, a rumba frame or a swing frame – the couple’s dancing frame is an integral part of the mechanics and beauty of their wedding dance.

And as Audrey said, “The best thing to hold onto in life is each other” – we may as well do it right for the dance!

***

It’s wedding season so email to Jillian@OurWeddingDance.com or call Jillian at 949.400.7347 today and reserve your favorite day and time for lessons now!

Happy almost Summer!

Dance With Jillian

This first one just in from a fantastic couple that worked sooo hard over several months to make their dance beautiful and meaningful to each other and their guests.  They even included a piece of their dance on video which you can see if you click on the link below!

Adam and Denise’s Dance Video

***

Hi Jillian!!!

WE’RE MARRIED!!!

Thank you so much for everything that you taught us, it made such a difference and we were so comfortable out there, even though we were a little disoriented and didn’t move around the dance floor as much.

It was still a huge hit, especially the patty cake move – you’ll hear the screams [on the video]. 

Hope you enjoy it as much as we did!!!

THANKS,

Mr. and Mrs. Leonhardt

Married May 16, 2010 at the Old Ranch in Seal Beach

Song: “At Last”

***

And this second one in from a wonderful couple who did two dances – one a fun and beautiful first dance but the second a great surprise.

The bride donned a red skirt with gold coins over her white dress and did a… you guessed it… a belly dance for her adoring groom whom we had seated in a chair for her sexy undulations!  At the end he got up and went down on one knee and took her in a swan-like dip!

***

Jillian -

Thank you so much for attempting to teach us to dance!  Both our dances were a hit – especially the belly dance!  We’ll send the video.

Thank you!

Keith & Janet

Married May 1st 2010 at the Los Angeles Athletic Club

Songs:  “My Life” by The Beatles and a beautiful Arabic song

Keith & Janet's Adorable Postcard!

Remember…

if your wedding is coming up  it’s time to begin thinking about your lovely first dance!

Call Jillian at: 949 400 7347

Or visit the website at:

OurWeddingDance.com

Well, here’s a partial list of some of the standouts I’ve had to get you thinking what you might like to use for your first dance song:

“Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You” by Frankie Valli (YouTube)

This is such a fun song since you can do a combination of slow moves and fast moves to it and plus it’s an all time favorite among just about all ages.    This couple did some sways and cuddles and swing moves with lots of turns and then learned a little swing with switching places and outside and inside turns to really kick up their heels!

“Sway” by Dean Martin (YouTube)

Wow, I’d forgotten about this great rendition of “Sway” by one of the all time masters until my couple came in with it and I fell in love with Dean Martin’s sexy voice and this rumba all over again.  We did some great moves like the chasse and some cross overs and walk around turns to this romantic favorite and really let the lady show off her undulating hips to her adoring gentleman as they “swayed” around the floor.  They had a very small dance floor and this song worked in the space and yet let them have fun too.

“Everything” by Michael Buble (YouTube)

Yep, “Everything” is still hot – so to speak and this couple loved the lyrics and the speed of the music and pronounced it totally perfect and totally them!  They had a 15′ x 15′ dance floor so the movement worked for them that we did with paddycakes and changing places borrowed from the foxtrot and the Viennese waltz respectively.  You could also work with a smaller dance floor with this song if you didn’t mind keeping your steps petite. 

“Amazed” by Lonestar (YouTube)

Who can deny that a song that starts out “Every time our eyes meet this feeling inside me is almost more than I can take…” isn’t the most romantic song you’ve heard in a long time??!  Couple that with a great beat and country feel and you’ve got a recipe for one treat of a first dance.  Yes, it’s a common song but sometimes it’s just better not to fool with success, no??   My couple liked the easy going nature of this song since they admitted they’re not that into choreographed dancing but didn’t want to just “high school prom dance it”.  We kept it simple and elegant and everything went very well.  In fact everything went so well we put a lean, dip and jump on the end because the dance itself wasn’t too much.  Now that’s success!

“It Had To Be You” by Bobby Darin (Where to get it)

Hard to find but well worth the time… Couldn’t find this song on YouTube but the link above gives you some options for purchase.  We all know the Harry Connick Jr. rendition of this song and love it but one by Bobby Darin; now that’s a find!  My couple used this song because they loved Bobby Darin’s cool voice and wanted an up beat foxtrot that would get the reception guests up and dancing right after wards.  They didn’t have a lot of time to learn a dance and this song fit right into their schedule since it is 2 minutes and 12 seconds. 

“I Have Dreamed” from the soundtrack of the movie “The American President” (YouTube)

Talk about old world charm and beauty – you can’t go wrong with this incredible piece.  My father/daughter couple said it had special meaning to them and I believe it!  Dad floated along like he was on ice and his daughter glowed like gold in his arms to this fluid song.  A gorgeous change from the usual father/daughter dance numbers!

“Just Like Heaven” by Katie Melua (YouTube)

Mmmm… this song is soooo romantic, sexy and now all at the same time.  You will feel just like heaven as you dance to this song for your first dance.  My couple oozed around the floor staring dreamily into each others eyes and we used the lyrics “spinning” to do some pretty twirls.  A great different type of first dance song to highlight your love!

“In My Life” by the Beatles (YouTube)

An all time favorite that is poignant, meaningful, easy-going and fun – How did the Beatles do it? – at the same time.  This couple put an especially personal touch on their first dance by dancing to this entire song and then bringing up a fabulous Arabic song for just a few minutes.   The bride added a red gold coin skirt to her gown, the groom sat in an offered chair and she did a short and PG rated belly dance for him!

Now that’s a first dance and that’s entertainment!  The crowd got foxtrot and hip undulations all in one package.  Hats off to the groom as well, who lead an excellent first dance and then was a great “prop” for the belly dancing and even rose up from his chair at the end to dance to the beat and get down on one knee so the bride could back bend a dip with him!

“Leather and Lace” by Stevie Nicks & Don Henley (YouTube)

This song takes me back and it was fun to watch my couple dance to it.  Kudos to them -  they’d known each other since the sixth grade!  Their reception was at 741 in Laguna Beach and we didn’t have much space so we kept it easy going with small sways and send outs and pretty walking steps to take them around the floor.  We kept the body language nice and close and romantic and put a twirly end on the piece for big end applause.

“Lucky” by Jason Mraz & Colbie Caillat (YouTube)

Fun and flirty with good lyrics, this first dance song is an easy dance and can really showcase a couple’s feelings for each other.  We had a small dance floor (10′ x 10′) and literally only one lesson to make this something special.  They worked hard on some cute swing moves and some perky promenades and we came up with three pretty pieces of choreography that they could repeat and a fun dip for the end.  It didn’t hurt that they were both swing dancers from their UCLA undergraduate days. 

“The Story” by Brandi Carlile (YouTube)

Beautiful.  The lyrics are wonderful and the tune is catchy and unusual.  This couple only had one lesson but they had so much fun they promised to send their parents in for dance lessons!  We had to keep it simple due to time considerations but just a few moves made this first dance a real winner.  Also, they had already decided to just do 2:13 of the song.  If you listen to it on YouTube you’ll hear a natural break there.  They had their DJ fade it out and start the general dancing at that point.

***

Happy listening as you decide on the song that says, “Us!”

Jillian of OurWeddingDance.com

Jillian feeding the lorikeets!

Never fear… you can do something simple and pretty even if you just plain have no time left.

In fact, I probably get at least five phone calls a week from brides or grooms getting married in under two weeks.

Of course, it would be preferable to have a month or two before the big day to get the first dance in your muscle memory, but what if you just want to have a bit of help with some turns and simply keep off of each others feet while dancing!

I’ve worked with students right before the big day very successfully and given them something quick and easy to work with for their big moment all alone on the dance floor.

One of my recent couples said they certainly felt better after their time with me than before and although they wished they’d had more time to work on their dance they felt a glow of confidence that would take them through it with flair and fun.

So if you’re debating about whether to go ahead and do just one lesson for your first dance even though you’re in the eleventh hour of preparations why not go for it?

I think you’ll be glad you did and who knows maybe you’ll take a few lessons after the honeymoon to wow your friends at their weddings with your lead and follow and fancy footwork.

Remember dancing lasts your whole life long… burns calories… and let’s face it guys, is a real pleaser for most of the gals out there!

Call Jillian at 949.400.7347 or email her at Jillian@OurWeddingDance.com and squeeze  a first dance lesson into that to-do list today!

Jillian of Our Wedding Dance!

From denim inspired wedding gowns in blues and dainty laces that lace up the back and cut up the leg to adorable table decorations with cowboy hats and boots doubling as flower containers… the big sky is the limit and the grass can be greener.

Blue and browns with touches of white and yellow seem to be the most common color schemes.  Bachelor buttons and daisies can keep the costs down and the whimsey up.  While you peruse cute cake toppers with horses and hitching posts and fun silver ring bearer horseshoes with white satin ribbons.

Accessories for a Western Wedding

Favor Ideas for a Cowboy Wedding

The bride can wear white in a western type period gown or go for something completely different with touches or whole parts of the gown in denim blue.  Why not add some fringed white cowboy boots or cream or off-white granny style boots with pretty lace inserts?  Top it off with a white or off white satin cowboy hat covered in lace, roses and tulle and you’re sure to feel romantic and country cool all at the same time!

Western Wedding Wear

Cultured Cowboy Wedding Dresses

Western Wedding Hat

White Cowboy Boots Granny Style Boots

(I love this denim halter for bridesmaids dresses in the Western themed wedding!)

Of course the variety for grooms is endless and who doesn’t enjoy duding up their best dude in the duds of a cool, clean cowboy?  There are period style vests and ties and natty jackets with and without fringe as well as boots in all sizes, shapes, colors and textures.  It’s a field day for the fellas and they’re sure to make a splash when they ride in off the range in today’s dashing designs.

Gentlemen’s Emporium

The Old Frontier Clothing Company

And last, but certainly not least, there are mother lodes of wonderful Country songs old and new from waltzes to 2-steps that will keep your first dance and your father daughter dance in the Western theme.  Below are a few of my favorites:

First Dance Country Songs:

I Love The Way You Love Me by Faith Hill

Could I Have This Dance by Anne Murray

From This Moment by Shania Twain

The Wedding Song (Girl Forever) by Marty Falle

Fishin’ In The Dark by Nitty Gritty Dirt Band

(Lyrics for Fishin’ In The Dark)

Father Daughter Dance Country Songs:

I Loved Her First by Heartland

My Little Girl by Steve Kirwan

Stealing Cinderella by Chuck Wick

I Hope You Dance by Lee Ann Womack

Daddy’s Little Girl by Kippi Brannon

Happy Trails to you Western wedding fans…

Jillian

OurWeddingDance.com

949 400 7347

* Remember I put these links to other web sites up for your reference and don’t endorse any one in particular.  I’ll let you do the research and remember always get your orders in writing and you can use my handy guideline, “If it smells fishy, it usually is”.