Issue February 1-28, 2006,
Happy Valentine's Day!
Wedding Ezine -The Online Magazine

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!

This month our celebrity bridegrooms carried their lovely brides off in style in their horse drawn carriages. They are Prince Willem-Alexander Holland & Maxima Zorreguieta, and Harry Connick Jr. & Jill Goodacre.

2) A Wedding Tradition Explained!

"Horse Drawn Carriages"

Traveling by horse and carriage, whether to or from the wedding ceremony harkens back to the grandeur and elegance of a previous era. Like so many traditions it is probably comes from the desire to copy royalty for a day as only the very wealthy had ornate carriages. There was a coachman to drive and footman to open the carriage doors and assist with entering and exiting, both in Livery (fancy servants attire). One English tradition states that is especially lucky for the bride to arrive in a coach drawn by a grey horse (horse shoes from a grey mare are the luckiest!) In Victorian times, it was in vogue for the carriage carrying the Bride and Groom from the ceremony to have four white horses. Nowadays, we generally have just the coachman who performs both duties; hunting attire is more common in this country. White carriages are quite the rage but they are actually a rather new occurrence. On a busy day, traveling in a horse drawn carriage gives you the chance to relax into the comfortable seats, listen to the hoof beats, and take a moment together alone and absorb all the excitement of the day.

3) Kim's Wedding Tips!

Ask questions! Know exactly what you are getting. Ask to see pictures so that you can see what the carriage looks like, what the coachman will be wearing and what the horses look like! Ask what the provisions are for made for rain. Will there be decorations such as flowers? How long will they be there? Will they give rides? Have these horses done this before? You cannot go long distances by carriage without keeping your guests waiting. Plan for a mile or two max. Coordinate with your photographer and coachman in advance for the best spot to take pictures. The horse or horses should be well mannered and able to stand relatively still for pictures. They are likely to try to eat your bouquet if you're not careful when standing near them. At the wedding, follow the coachman's recommendations about touching the horses or feeding them treats, and try not to spill drinks, either on his carriage or on your wedding dress, when the horses lurch to a start or stop. Many carriage companies prohibit the drinking of beverages so be sure to ask about this as well.

4) Kim's Wedding Dance Tip "Don't look down!"

All dance instructors wish they had a dollar for every time they have had to say "Don't look down!" We do not say this because it looks bad, even though it does look ghastly. There are more important reasons.

For Men/ Leaders: Having good posture is key for leading because women follow you from your chest. When you look down your posture slumps, your movements become indecisive, you also increase the distance between you and your partner and you make yourself difficult to follow. It is the women's job to keep her feet out of the way, not yours! You are responsible for driving so keep your head up. You don't look at the gas pedal when you drive on the road so cease doing it on the dance floor! Besides, you will not be able to see her feet in her wedding dress anyway!

For Women/ Followers: Your feet are protected by keeping your distance from the groom exactly the same throughout the dance. You must "keep your frame up". If you look down your frame will drop. You can do this by pushing OUT (not down!) with a consistent pressure with your left hand on his right shoulder as seen on the photo on the left. When you master the knack of keeping the distance between the gentleman and yourself consistent, you will cease to get stepped on by anyone with whom you dance.

5) Group Classes

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

Sign up for our mini groups this Winter!
Get another couple together and warm up the winter blues with Swing, Salsa or even Argentine Tango! You and your fiance can be ready to have a great time dancing at all the holiday parties! 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 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 the web site of Aunt Joanie's Chocolates for contact information.
or call 703-393-7639 for more info.

Aunt Joanie's Chocolates in shop in Manassas, Virginia specializes in gourmet, custom molded chocolates both solid and filled (even truffles). Revealed on the web site is a vast array of yummy chocolate favor possibilities. Since the chocolates are made to order, they are fresher and you can have control over the shapes (swans, roses, daisies, tulips, hearts, bells etc.) as well at the color of both the chocolate and the foil wrapping! Homemade truffles in personalized boxes or chocolate filled chocolate boxes are another tasty within tasty option. She even offers chocolate swan centerpieces and chocolate cake toppers! Call to make an appointment at their store in Manassas, Virginia so that you can see and taste how beautiful and delicious your wedding favors 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.

"Oh, hasten not this loving act,
Rapture where self and not-self meet:
My life has been awaiting you,
Your footfall was my own heart's beat."

Paul Valery

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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