Issue July 1-31, 2005,
Wedding Ezine -The Online Magazine
******Happy July 4th!*******

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!

Gotta love a man in uniform! Our celebrity wedding photos feature two former presidents married in their dress uniforms. First we have a newly married Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter smiling for the whole world to see, followed by George Bush Senior's First Dance with then new wife Barbara.

2) A Wedding Tradition Explained!

"The Babushka or The Apron Dance"

The Babushka Dance is also called the Apron dance. It's an old custom which used to be prevalent in many Slavic countries. After the church service, at the reception, her mother, godmother, and grandmother would parade her around the room and sit her on a chair placed in the center. They would take off the Bride's veil and then put a Babushka doll on her. A bridal dance, with people dropping money in the veil, began where everyone danced with the Bride and formed a circle around her forcing the Groom to fight his way through the circle to get her back. A variation is the Apron Dance where the Bride would put on an old apron, and the men danced with her and put money in the apron pockets. The women danced with her husband, and put money in his pockets. In some cases, the Brides male relatives would "steal" her away if they thought there was not enough money in the apron. Then the Groom's side would have to pay a "ransom". After the collection of more cash, the bride was given back to the groom. In recent years, it has become more and more common to omit the babushka, and just have the bride's mother remove the veil, then hand the bride over to the groom.

3) Kim's Wedding Tips!

Timing your wedding can be important in a military marriage. If you have PCS (Permanent Change of Station) orders, and get married before you actually make the move, you can have your spouse added to your orders and the military will pay for the relocation of your spouse and her/his property. However, if you report to your new duty assignment first, and then get married, you will have to pay for the relocation of your spouse out of your own pocket. Actually "making the move" means reporting into your new base. So, you may be able to leave your old base, take leave to get married, report into your new base, get your orders amended to include your new spouse, and the military will pay for the spouse's move. However, if you report to your new base, and then take leave to get married, you're on your own, when it comes to moving expenses for the spouse. You might then also have to change your housing and allowances for it. My advice is to get married in between postings rather than during if it is in any way convenient for you to do so. My husband and I were actually legally married two months before our wedding (I told no one!) in order to resolve these kinds of PCS problems in our move to Korea. Leaving the country will result in a much longer wait in paperwork so make sure you have the timetable straight!

4) Kim's Wedding Dance Tip "Stand Straight and Walk Tall!"

Your mother always told you to stand up straight and now you know why...She wanted you to dance! Keeping your head up, shoulders back and tummy in, will not only make your gowns and tuxes look better, it will make you feel better. So often when people are not used to being watched they slump as if they were trying to make themselves smaller or less noticeable. This is particularly true when people dance. It is your wedding -- and everyone is going to notice you no matter what! Look at our students Victor and Karen. He is looking into her eyes, not at her feet. He picked up the moves very quickly, but one of the most notable dance advantages he has is excellent posture (thanks to the U.S. Military). It gives him an air of total confidence on the dance floor and off. This also makes him very easy to follow and look great dancing.

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 logo above to visit our home page or call 703-868-0982 for more info.

That's right! It's us! Click on the banner above to go to our home page. Inspired by Veteran's Day and in support of all of the Armed Forces we are offering a 10% discount to all military couples who book their first appointment and send us a deposit before January 1, 2004! Have you got two or even four left feet? Are you dreading that first dance where everybody will be staring at you? YOU CAN DANCE and we will prove it to you. You will not only enjoy dancing with each other but you will also impress your family and friends. Years later the guests may not remember what kind of flowers you had or which sauce was on the chicken but they will remember how great you two were on the dance floor if you take lessons with us! Let us show you how fun and easy dancing together can be!

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.

"Of all earthly music
that which reaches farthest into heaven
is the beating of a truly loving heart."


Henry Ward Beecher

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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