March 16-31, 2005
Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

We hope you enjoy our Wedding newsletter and find it both a fun and useful tool in the wedding planning process. Don't forget to book your Wedding Dance lessons with First Dance Impressions!

1) A Different Celebrity Wedding Photo from Past or Present!

In the old days, many Irish brides wore a wreath of wildflowers in their hair. This issue's celebrity brides follow in this charming tradition. They are Trisha Noble about to kiss Scott MacKenzie, Ben Stiller & Christine Taylor walking down the aisle, and Claudia Schiffer posing with husband Matthew Vaughn.

2) A Wedding Tradition Explained!

"Why Don't All Men Wear Wedding Rings?"

Historically, men have generally chosen not to wear wedding rings. Traceable all the way back to ancient Rome the wedding ring has always symbolized the man's commitment to his wife, though they used rings of iron, less beautiful and pure than gold but much stronger. Then in the 16th century the Gimmal ring became popular. These were double or triple banded rings. During the engagement, the bride wore one, the groom another and if there was a third it was worn by a witness as extra proof of the betrothal. In the marriage ceremony all three rings would then be placed on the bride's ring finger. Marriage ceremonies with double ring exchanges did not truly become fashionable until WWII in the United States. A man's wedding ring came to be seen as a physical link to home, a touchable symbol of the love, life and wife that awaited him when he returned from war. This wartime tradition has since become the norm and now most men in this country wear wedding rings.

3) Kim's Wedding Tips!

Planning a Theme Wedding ...

1) Themes, such as Irish, can really make your wedding unique and memorable but it is possible to go too far. You want to strike a balance between having an no theme and looking like you have bought everything in the store that might work. Often several thematic touches will be enough to convey your theme without looking tacky.
2) Research on line in your spare time. Many cool traditions are to be found on the Internet and often your will be able to find quotes for your ceremony, ideas for favors and decorating tables which you can use. Looking on line will also give you a ballpark idea of what these items will cost so that you can be better prepared when you talk with your local vendors.
3)Use your wedding program to further your theme and explain the touches to your guests. List the author of quotes and why you chose to use them, explain anything that might be unusual about your wedding. In my case, I wore my grandmother's wedding dress and wanted everyone to know it and to look at the portrait of her on her wedding day. A wedding program can often be made on your own computer so you can have it look exactly as you'd like it. Be sure you start this project at least a month before your actual wedding day so you don't stay up all night the day before your wedding getting it done.

4) Kim's Wedding Dance Tip "Make Sure The Dress Can Dance Too!"

Strapless wedding gowns came into vogue a few years back and show no signs of going out of style any time soon. The up side is that they are both elegant and sexy. The down side is that if not fitted properly you risk becoming exposed if you are not extremely careful. Make sure during each fitting that you can not only walk easily in all directions but also lift your arms in the air and spin without anything coming out. A well fitted dress will pretty much stay put when you do this. Also try not to have much more than a week in between the final fitting and the wedding. Most of us try to lose a few pounds prior to the wedding day and as we all know we lose it from the top half before we lose it on the bottom half. This can seriously affect the way your dress fits through the bodice.

5) Group Classes

Our teachers run events and perform locally on a regular basis.

Sign up for our mini groups in the spring!
Have you and your friends always wanted to learn Swing, Salsa or even the sexy Argentine Tango? Dancing is a great stress reliever and wonderful social activity which can give you one of the best aerobic workouts possible. We will tailor a group class for 4, 6, 12 or even 50 people. No no experience is necessary. Call us at (703) 868-0982 for more information.

6) This issue's Featured Vendor

Click on the banner above to visit Bag piping For All Occasions or
Click here to e-mail Norm Weaver directly

Let the sound of the great highland bagpipe add a note of distinction to your wedding. The pipes have long been a tradition for Scottish and Irish weddings. But you do not need Scottish or Irish roots to appreciate their special contribution to your celebration. They can be used to welcome the guests as they arrive for your wedding, lead the groom and groom’s men or the bride and bride’s maids into the service, or even entertain your guests while photographs are taken after the ceremony, as they go through your receiving line. You can have them perform outside your reception site as guests arrive, announce the new bride and groom entering the reception or sound the fanfare as you leave. Norm Weaver would enjoy working with you to develop a special program of bagpipe music for your special wedding. With more than 20 years experience in piping for weddings, he can also help you find ways of adding other touches of Celtic heritage to make your wedding even more memorable.

Mention First Dance Impressions referred you and receive 10% off Norm Weaver's Bagpipe Services for your wedding!

7) Poems, Prayers & Promises

A romantic quote to simply to elevate your mood or to help you find the right sentiment for your vows or ceremony.

"This Ring is round and hath no end.
So is my Love unto my friend"

Unknown

8) A New Bridal Themed Wallpaper for your computer desktop!

Now your computer screen can be dressed up too! Simply right click your mouse on our background and tell your computer to save ("set") as wall paper, BUT be sure you have saved the current background on you computer desktop first, if you want to get it back! If the background does not show up immediately, right click on your desktop background and click on refresh.
The Clonmacnoise monastery was founded in 545 AD. When the rest of Europe was in the dark ages, it was considered an "island of saints and scholars". Today it is one of Ireland's more famous visitors' centers. For hundreds of years, couples in love have stood on each side of this arch whispering their words of love to each other.

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