Wedding Dance Lessons « OUR WEDDING DANCE BLOG

June 16, 2010

“The Best Thing To Hold Onto In Life Is Each Other” – Audrey Hepburn

Well, I got my daughter graduated from UCLA – go Bruins! and I thought I’d share with you a little shop talk about the frame of the dancing couple since I get a lot of questions about that during my lessons.

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

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May 3, 2010

The Song That Says, “Us”

It’s the top of May and I bet you’re wondering what songs are hot with my brides and grooms right now??

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!

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March 18, 2010

Western Weddings… Yee Haw!

Want a fresh idea that’s actually old as the hills? Try a Western themed wedding for something crazy and fun and sure to leave an impression on your wedding guests. Who knows you may want to bring in a mechanical bull and let them ride ‘em cowboy or cowgirl all night or day long.

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”.

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February 20, 2010

Calling all Dads…

Filed under: Dancing,Father Daughter Dance,Songs — Tags: Ballroom Dance Lessons in Orange County, Ballroom Dance With Jillian, Ballroom Dancing, Bride and Groom 1st Dance, Bride And Groom Dance, Dance Teacher in Orange County, Dancing, Father/Daughter Dance, Father/Daughter Dance Teacher, First Dance, First Dance Choreography, Isn't She Beautiful, Orange County Father/Daughter Dance Lessons, Wedding Dance Lessons — admin @ 9:28 pm

So Dads not only have to “help” with the wedding but they have to perform at it too??

What’s up with that…

Well, just in case you’re wondering the Father/Daughter dance is a hot topic these days.

Should it be short?

Should it be done after the Bride and Groom’s 1st Dance?

Should it be choreographed?

Should Dad be allowed to wing it or will he look silly and do that flapping chicken move he loves so well?

Well I don’t know about the chicken thing but I do know that I’ve noticed a few commonalities emerging with the Father/Daughter dance.

Dads are choosing their own songs. Songs that were popular the year their lovely daughter was born. Songs that they used to love to dance to in their youth and songs that just make them want to get up and dance!

Just recently I had a fantastic Father/Daughter song, “Isn’t She Lovely” and my bride floated along in Dad’s arms looking just that.

Her Dad had some disco moves but he hadn’t really done the foxtrot in years so we set about getting him up to speed.

He learned some fun underarm turns from the box step and the promenade to show off his daughter and her amazing gown.

We put a cuddle on the end and a twirl with him doing a quick sleight of hand switching trick that ended with him pointing out a la John Travolta.

“That’s so Dad”, my bride exclaimed and I think Dad got a hundred brownie points right there on the spot!

He said now that was a dance when he could incorporate some of his moves from his days of “doin the hustle”.

Of course after the wedding Dad now has some fancy footwork for Mom and can wow her on their night out on the town.

Ah, two gals happy with one dance lesson… too bad everything can’t be this easy.

Call me at 949.400.7347 and I’ll see that you’re not only the “founder of the feast” but also can turn in a Father/Daughter dance to be proud of!

In the meantime look up some of those favorite songs of yours and visit my Father/Daughter dance page at:

http://ourweddingdance.com/fatherdaughterdance.htm and let’s get started today.

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February 3, 2010

Let’s Hear It For Some Web Stats!

We all know that the web is here to stay. Where else can you shop for Valentine’s boxers for your fiance, find out the latest chick flick movie times for her romantic date and contact ten wedding vendors in five minutes for price quotes??

The internet is a great way to find what you want, need or have to have… in a hurry!

Today I thought I’d pass along some interesting stats to let you know just how big this thing called the web has become. These figures certainly took my breath away and I bet they will yours too.

234 million – the number of web sites as of December 2009 (from Netcraft)

90 trillion – the number of emails sent on the internet in 2009 (from Radicati Group)

47 million – added web sites in 2009 (from Netcraft)

252,908,000 – internet users in North America (from Internet World Stats)

126 million – blogs on the internet (as tracked by BlogPulse)

350 million – people on FaceBook (as tracked by FaceBook)

62.7% – use Internet Explorer (from Net Applications)

2.6 million – amount of malicious code threats at the start of 2009; viruses, trojans, etc. (from Symantec & McAfee)

So next time you turn on that favorite piece of electronics that connects you to the web remember you’re not alone. When you send an email remember there is a real person on the other end who is excited to hear from you.

Happy Surfing and don’t forget to surf on over and inquire about a few dance lessons for that big day!

Email Jillian at Our Wedding Dance

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January 12, 2010

“Pimp Your Bride”

I simply can’t resist this!

Just last Friday evening I was out on the dance floor, as the sun made its way into the Pacific ocean, working with my brand new couple and their wonderful wedding dance.

She’s a beautiful Irish lass with red/blond hair and he’s a joy to work with, with an incredibly great dance attitude; and they both brought leather soled shoes on their first lesson! Neither have ever danced before and that night they were ready to jump in with both feet and get going.

We were learning some beautiful fluid figures to move across the floor, some sweeping boxes and some fun figures in place and all of a sudden he came up with the best one liner I’ve heard in a long time!

After “cuddling” up his bride he zinged her out in a whip and I looked over to see this handsome groom “flick” his imaginary tux shirt collar. I think I’m going to do this every time, he said with a smile.

I’m going to pimp my bride with this fancy move and then flick my collar like Wow, look what I just did.

I couldn’t stop laughing. It was great! So guys – why not, “Pimp Your Bride” and do a little fancy footwork in that first dance? Take some dance lessons together and we’ll come up with the moves that will make your crowd cheer.

She’ll look hot and you’ll feel like the coolest guy around…

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January 8, 2010

Party Like It’s 2010!

Filed under: Dancing,New Year's Resolutions,Testimonials — Tags: Christmas Card for Wedding Couple, Dance Lessons, First Dance, First Wedding Dance, Holiday Card from Wedding Couple, January 2010, Our Wedding Dance, Our Wedding Dance Testimonial, Party Like It's 2010, Teach me a Wedding Dance, Teach me how to dance, Wedding Dance, Wedding Dance Lessons, Wedding Dance Lessons in Orange County, Wedding Dance Teacher, Wedding Dancing — admin @ 4:29 pm

It’s January and I woke up on the first day of this new decade and guess what - we’re still in a recession, it’s still kind of cold (ok can’t really complain – the rest of the US in under tons of snow!) and what was that drink called???

If you’re like me you’re having lots of fun getting going and back into the swing of things so to speak. So, what a joy it is for me to go through my giant stack of to-do items and post this amazing testimonial from a fabulous couple I taught last year.

Dear Jillian,

Thank you so much for helping us make our first dance so memorable. We were pretty proud to have “nailed” our routine, although we’re still waiting to see our video! You helped us make our Big Day even more special… so Thank You!

We will absolutely tell all of our friends and family about your services. You were extremely patient, professional, and encouraging.

You were the perfect dance teacher!!!

We’ll email you some pics and we wish you a joyous holiday season and blessed New Year!

Best Wishes, Michael and Jaime

(Married: September 6, 2009, Song: “It’s Your Love” by Faith Hill and Tim McGraw at the Irvine Hilton.)

Below you can see their adorable card: “Wishing You A Very “Marry” Christmas!”

Now get ready to party like it’s 2010 – on the greatest day of your life, your wedding day!

Jaime and Michael's Adorable Christmas Card

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December 30, 2009

Happy Almost 2010!

New Year’s resolutions come in all shapes and sizes. I’m sure you’ve got a few of your own ready for 2010! There are always the tried and true good old standbys: lose weight, make more money, travel, worry less and find a fun hobby.

But what about something that could combine all of the above? Now that would be one heck of a New Year’s Resolution! How about dance lessons???

Dancers can lose weight…
Dancing can get those endorphins going which can make for happier people in the workplace and who knows - ripe for that promotion…
Dancing brings out the travel bug to find fun social spots for doing your latest steps…
If you’re dancing, you can only think about the figures and your movement not stressing about the latest…
And dancing could be your next fun hobby…

It’s that time of year and I’m getting lots of inquiries from 2010 brides and grooms and also people who just want to take up dancing! It’s easy to get started and really all you need are your feet, some leather soled dance shoes and a willingness to learn. So what are you waiting for? Oh, that’s right two more days! Well, let’s start 2010 right!

Have a wedding? Have a special event? Have a desire to do something fun and frolicsome with your mate? Email me and we’ll start that music and get you moving. Until then, I found this quote rather amusing since it hits both sides of the coin:

“An optimist stays up until midnight to see the new year in. A pessimist stays up to make sure the old year leaves.” — Bill Vaughn

Happy New Year to all from Jillian of OurWeddingDance.com

champagne-glasses

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December 4, 2009

Grooms Get Points With First Dance!

A little while ago I wrote this article for a publication and I’d like to share it with you since I think a lot of grooms deserve to be praised for even attempting a first dance in the first place!

Dancing.

The very word can bring fear into a perfectly normal groom’s life.

Guys know that girls like to dance and, let’s face it, most guys learn to dance to attract a girl. So what’s the point in learning to dance once you’ve got the girl? Answer: The First Dance at your wedding reception.

Probably, given a choice, most grooms would opt out of the first dance and move right on through the reception. But the first dance can be a great opportunity for grooms to get those extra “love bank” points that they can use as collateral later on!

Grooms come through the door of a dance studio with two very real fears: 1) They will not be able to do a partnered dance and 2) They will look very silly trying.

But, the whole experience can be a very “liberating” one for them since they will be in-charge of the dance. Because the man leads and the lady follows, grooms find out they can dance with a partner and they don’t look silly because the couple then moves as one across the floor.

During private classes, instruction should be kept in every-day language with work on the dance frame, the couple’s posture, simple walking steps to their song and basic dance patterns. This way a three-way “creation process” can start that will eventually produce choreography that the groom can remember and the bride can look beautiful dancing.

Brides and grooms need to start their first dance as soon as they can spare the time.

Couples can master simple routines in foxtrot, waltz, rumba, tango, and night club two-step in about five to fifteen lessons.

More elaborate first dances with props and costume changes and first dances that combine two or more dance types may take a little longer to feel second nature.

Personalization is the underlying theme with today’s weddings and the first dance can be as personal as the bride and groom want it to be.

No matter what you think you might like to do or even if you have no ideas whatsoever and just want some help “not looking stupid”, a professional dance instructor who specializes in bride and groom first dances can work with you to create your dream first dance.

With time and patience you can have a dance to remember and even keep dancing for other special occasions all your married life.

Happy Holiday Shopping and don’t forget to include a few dance lessons on your New Year’s Resolutions list!

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October 26, 2009

The Dress & The Dance

So you have the dress of your dreams!

It’s sooo perfect and sooo you!

Now you’re starting to learn a first dance and what about that dress of your dreams?

Does it dance?

I have had brides wear everything from the $5, 000+ designer dress to the white matching aloha muu muu and shirt.

Brides have come in telling me that they’re going to wear a “mermaid” dress, an “A-line” dress, a “Scarlet O’Hara” type ballgown and hoop, a heavy beaded dress (one was over 35 pounds!) or a gown with a skirt that is cathedral length with no bustle only a loop to go over the hand.

Gowns cut straight across the bust are a challenge since one does not want to “pop” out. Gowns with small sleeves are usually not made for the brides to lift their arms in them. And gowns with lots of embellishment need extra care when coming into close contact with the groom for a dip or leg work or cuddle.

Plus I’ve had brides wearing dresses culturally particular to various countries, some with pieces of material over five yards long that will need to loop over one arm, scarves that the couple entwine into and figure fitting tight knee length dresses with little above the arm reach.

It is challenging to dance certain dances in certain dresses but compromises can be made with dance steps to keep you looking like a princess in that dress of your dreams!

I always talk with my bride in advance about her dress (after all many of the fellas are still convinced that the dress is polka dotted with stripes so we need to keep the secret!) and we work through whether it will be bustled and also what kind of “reach” the bride will have when she steps forward and back and side to side.

If you’re totally in love with an Argentine tango for your first dance and yet the dress of your dreams is a Gone With The Wind ballgown we may have to rethink some steps!

Likewise if you’re special song is a waltz and your dress is totally form fitting with about a four inch walking step we will have to get creative about the dancing and do lots of beautiful arms.

Different dances do just “look better” in certain dresses but I always tell my brides that if they love their dress and they love their song and the two wouldn’t normally “go together” – we will make it work!

After all, years from now you want to look back on your wonderful day, dress of your dreams and first dance and song and say “This was totally how we wanted everything to be”!

Below is a wonderful testimonial from one of my very recent brides. She mentions her dress was challenging but they did it and loved their dance!

Email me at jillian@ourweddingdance.com if you have dress and dance questions and I’m sure we can come up with a wonderful dance to make you look gorgeous in your dream dress!

Hi Jill,

It’s been a crazy week but we had to share with you how our guests loved our first dance… It was so nerve wracking that Rey and I didn’t know how to pull it off… but with all the steps you’ve taught us we were able to improvise.

We had a hard time with my dress but we made it through our grand finale. We don’t have the official photos and videos yet but we would like to share with you a link from our photographer.

http://unveilus.blogspot.com

Hope you enjoy the link and we’ll keep you posted when we receive the official photos and videos.

Take care, Rey and Shella

(Married: October 10, 2009, Reception: Anaheim Hilton, Song: “When You Say Nothing At All”)

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