May 16-31, 2005

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!

On your wedding day the champagne glass is always full. Our celebrity wedding photos feature Valerie Bertinelli with Eddie Van Halen and Gwen Stefani kissing husband Gavin Rossdale

2) A Wedding Tradition Explained!

"Beheading a bottle of Champagne?"

One very dramatic French wedding tradition is the "beheading" a bottle of champagne with a sword called a saber. This practice has it's roots in Napoleon's time. The Hussars under Napoleon's command would celebrate their victories by 'sabring' off the top of a bottle of champagne to show off their skills on horseback. Legend holds that these accomplished horsemen would ride on horseback at a full gallop while very trusting ladies would hold up the bottles. The saber must strike the neck at exactly the right angle because there is over 100 pounds of pressure per square inch in a bottle of champagne. Done incorrectly this will shatter the bottle of bubbly or worse injure those around it. The tradition nonetheless spread throughout France as a way to celebrate special occasions like weddings. Decorative replicas of these sabers have been faithfully recreated by artisans in Thiers, France (the French capital of cutlery) which some Brides and Grooms purchase and have engraved especially for their weddings.

3) Kim's Wedding Tips!

1) Champagne, to serve or not to serve. Many people feel that Champagne is the ultimate drink for festive occasions. Brides and Grooms therefore feel obligated ito serve it. Don't be pressured! Look into all the options thoroughly as this can be a major unforeseen expense.

2) If you do want to have it available throughout the reception, see if you can buy it yourself, buying it in bulk can save you some money. Talk to your caterer and see how much their fee is to uncork your bottles. 5 or more dollars a bottle is not uncommon - this is a negotiable point with some caterers.

3) Champagne punch for the reception was the way I got around the obscene uncorking fee that was presented to me. There is a fabulous recipe in the Joy of Cooking ( as with all things planned for your wedding you must try it out first!) which we mixed up the day before and I had a friend uncork and add the champagne to the mix, so that the bartender only had to serve it. There should be no pouring charges. We had champagne served for the toast only.

4) Invest in a couple of bottles of sparkling cider for children or wedding guests who are nondrinkers. This is a considerate way to allow these well wishers to participate in the celebration.

4) Kim's Wedding Dance Tip "Don't drink too much before you dance!!"

If you are planning to dance your first dance, we suggest that you do it early in the evening and try not to drink very much alcohol before you do so. Your First Dance together is one of the most lasting images the assembled guests will have of you as Husband and Wife, and you don't want to be seen stumbling. If you normally drink a little, a couple of glasses of champagne will be fine but avoid applying liquid courage. Once you learn to dance drinking a lot makes it less fun anyway. Dancing is a little bit like a sport and you are always more on the ball when sober. Not to mention the Bride will always feel more at ease with being dipped by a man who is together mentally!

5) Group Classes

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

Sign up for our mini groups in the summer!
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 to visit First Dance Impressions' Home page
Or Call: (703) 868-0982 to ask about our wedding dance packages!

Wedding Ezine Readers! Our prices will be going up on June 15th! Book your lessons and send us a deposit by June 15th to lock in our current prices!

When Every Eye Is On You, We'll Make Sure You're Ready! First Dance Impressions is the Original and the Best Wedding Dance Company serving Northern Virginia, D.C. and Maryland since 2000. Wedding Dance Lessons are fun, easy and stress-relieving. Invest in your First Dance and in the rest of Your Lives Together! We focus on leading and following so that you move as one. Why "bear hug sway", when you can confidently dance around the floor, spinning and dipping, to your song in as little as 5 hours!
Check us out with the other Brides on the Knot and The Wedding Channel!

"We will recommend you without any hesitation to any friends and family planning events in the future."

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.

"If ever two were one, then surely we.
If ever man were loved by wife, then thee;
"If ever wife was happy in a man,
Compare with me ye women if you can.
I prize thy love more than whole mines of gold,
Or all the riches that the East doth hold.
My love is such that rivers cannot quench,
Nor ought but love from thee, give recompense.
Thy love is such I can no way repay,
The heaven's reward thee manifold I pray.
Then while we live, in love lets so persevere,
That when we live no more, we may live ever."

Anne Bradstreet

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.

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