WD-Rhonda-n-Greg-PicCollage

Rhonda & Greg Zorman

“We were engaged in April, one of the first things my soon-to-be husband suggested was to take dance lessons.  I knew he was right, we were not good dancers!  I researched online, left messages to companies similar to Carolyn’s, but my calls were not returned.

Two weeks before the wedding I realized the dance lessons were not going to happen, we would just be going through the motions of the typical, boring first dance. That same day I received an email from Carolyn offering dance lessons to wedding couples. Thinking maybe she could show us a couple of moves in that short amount of time, I called. She responded back in minutes and we had our first lesson that weekend, two weeks before the wedding.

Looking back, I still can’t believe Carolyn was able to choreograph such a beautiful dance customized for us, at our skill level, in such a short period of time!

We have been together 15 years, our first dance song was Etta James “At Last.” Carolyn broke down each move based on the music, so we learned it quickly and it was easy to remember. We had a lot of laughs practicing, plus it was a good way to bond and enjoy the moment during the last two weeks of the pre-wedding chaos.

Our performance was the hit of the wedding! We did a great job and had so much fun. We are thinking we should try out for “Dancing with the Stars!”

Can’t thank Carolyn enough for all she did! She is extremely professional, a pleasure to work with, and has the patience of a Saint! I would highly recommend her to any couple that wants to have a great wedding experience and bring down the house with their first dance!”

/0 Comments/by
7 Key Moments to capture on Video by Wedding Dance Florida

Lights, Camera, Action: 7 Key Wedding Moments to Capture on Video

Lights, Camera, Action: 7 Key Wedding Moments to Capture on Video

Some weddings have professional photographers, others don’t but here are 7 key moments to capture on video. Whatever you choose for your own wedding, however, you’ll want to have a keen eye on the ‘important’ wedding moments. A lot of wedding albums end up with a waterfall of pictures centering on the bride walking down the aisle.

While this is no doubt an important moment, there are lots of other moments going on throughout the day that should be captured as well. Remember that a wedding is a long process. There are elements that occur far in advance of the big day, and you may want to make sure that these are captured. Consider the following capture-worthy moments:

  1. Dress shopping. Okay, okay, this doesn’t actually occur during the wedding. But, let’s face it: most women don’t have the chance to play around in gowns potentially worth thousands of dollars all that often. You can do this easily with a camcorder set up in the corner of the dressing room… and then you’ll forever breathe a sigh of relief when you didn’t go with the low-cut polyester number.
  2. Bachelor/bachelorette party. Obviously, this one will depend on who your friends are and what you’re doing. If you’re going extremely drunk and extremely raunchy, well, film at your own risk. Parties that are slightly tamer in nature, though, may very well hold some magic moments.
  3. The “reveal.” It’s highly recommended that brides and grooms do a reveal to each other before they walk down the aisle. Oftentimes the look on both partners’ faces is one not to be missed, and it allows the bride and groom to spend a private moment together before the wedding, which can help with jitters. Not to mention, if the bride and groom don’t see each other before the ceremony, the “first look” magic is often lost in the procession.
  4. Interactions with the most important people of the wedding party. Notify the videographer of parents, siblings, and close friends. Keep a list of these MVP guests. You’re more likely to get impromptu pictures with your loved ones this way.
  5. The first dance. Video is best for this. If you’re doing a choreographed dance, make sure that the videographer shoots your feet in the video as well, as that’s where most of the action is! Also make sure the DJ asks everyone to be seated so that everyone will be able to see your wonderful First Dance that you have created!
  6. The first kiss. This is one of the wedding’s pinnacles; make sure that it’s captured. It’s a good idea if your photographer can scope out the area beforehand to get a good angle. It’s even better if you have multiple photographers.
  7. Pictures from the honeymoon. Again, this is not part of the ceremony itself, but many people regret never capturing the honeymoon on film. There’s sure to be lots of interesting hijinks going on between the newlyweds.

Planning a wedding is a long process. Be sure to document as much as you can! As the years progress, you will be glad these moments were forever captured.

/0 Comments/by
Booking a Wedding Venue

Booking a Wedding Venue: 7 Must Ask Questions

Once you’ve broken the news of your engagement and let on that you’re seriously planning the ceremony, one of the first questions you should expect to hear is, “Have you booked a venue?”

In the modern day, there are a variety of different venues you can choose from, including country clubs, art galleries, museums, hotels, sports stadiums, libraries, and more. Essentially, any space that will allow a group to gather is an option. However, wedding receptions often have special concerns. When you’re in the process of booking a wedding venue, be sure to keep these seven questions in mind:

  1. How many guests can you accommodate? If you’re holding a huge shindig for hundreds and your local library will only host 80, you’re going to have major issues. Make sure to clear this up ahead of time.
  2. Do you have an in-house caterer? Are there limitations on outside caterers? There are basically two kinds of wedding venues: full service and not-full service. Full service venues often come with florists, caterers, linens, and table and chair rental – the whole nine yards. Not-full service venues only provide the space and you provide the rest. Full service venues take a lot of the stress out of coordination, but they take away your chance to shop around for the best deal. At some full service venues, you can use your own private vendors, but you’ll need to pay a fee to the in-house vendors on top of paying your private vendor.
  3. Is the site handicapped accessible? Depending on the needs of your wedding party and guests, this is an essential question to remember. Even if nobody in your party is legally handicapped, having elevators and ramps can help elderly guests move about far more easily.
  4. Who is responsible for setting up and taking down the décor? Some venues will have a clean up crew ready to help for an extra fee, and others will leave it entirely up to you. You may be able to pay your private vendors extra to help, if necessary.
  5. How early can I/my vendors arrive at the site for set up? If you’re having your party at a reception hall, generally you can get in very early to start preparing. However, if you’re partying at a museum, library, art gallery, stadium, or other public venue, your time may be limited.
  6. How many weddings will occur on my day? It’s unlikely your wedding will be the only wedding going on at an event space, particularly if you’re tying the knot during a popular time of year. Make sure that you know what else is going on that day and that you get the time for which you paid.
  7. What time do my guests need to leave the building? Knowing how much time you have to set up, celebrate, and then clean up will make logistics a lot easier. Additionally, some venues will levy heavy fees on receptions that go past their time allotment (think up to $500 an hour), so not knowing the limits could be costly.

Understanding the details of your wedding venue will make your party much smoother and more fun. Be sure you’re in the know when it comes to the details surrounding your wedding venue.

/0 Comments/by
Memorable First Dance

How to Plan a Memorable First Dance

How to Plan a Memorable First Dance

After the physical and spiritual nuptials are completed and the bride and groom have ‘sealed the deal’ with a kiss, it’s common for guests to anticipate a memorable first dance. There are many different ways to have a reception, but most of them contain one similarity: the bride and groom’s first dance.

In all the hustle and bustle of planning a wedding, the first dance may seem to be a relatively minor concern, but trust us… it’s not. With most of the guests likely having cameras and phones plastered to their hands, not to mention the professional videographer who is likely near, your first dance will be etched into digital memory for a long time to come. Why not make it memorable with these tips?

  1. Lower the lights. First, lowering the lights is a signal to your guests (who are likely milling around and chatting) that something is about to happen. If you haven’t had your first dance, they’ll figure out what’s next on the agenda. This will also allow your DJ to play with lighting effects as well.
  2. Choose your song by dance type. If you’re planning to execute an actual dance (waltz, swing, rumba, foxtrot, etc), you’ll need to choose music with the correct beat. The good news is that you don’t have to go with an instrumental song that nobody knows if you don’t want, as plenty of pop songs use these beats.
  3. Consider choreography. For those who don’t want to stand on the floor and rock back and forth, taking lessons together to prepare for the dance can be a good choice. You’ll have increased confidence, and be able to prove once and for all that you really can cut a rug. Also, taking the lessons together can be a fun activity as fiancées.
  4. If you can’t dance, waltz. For those who want a choreographed look but can’t be bothered to take intensive lessons, learning a basic waltz can be one of the easiest dances to master. It’s a classic, looks good, and takes very little effort.
  5. Don’t choose a long song. Particularly if you aren’t doing a choreographed dance that is flashy and exciting, a five-minute long ballad is likely going to bore your guests after the first couple minutes. Romantic songs that are three minutes or less are best. Of course, if you’re willing (and able) to tear it up with a salsa, this rule doesn’t apply.
  6. Save the drinking for after the dancing. It seems obvious, but this is a step that some brides ignore to their detriment. You don’t want to have been taking rumba lessons for six months, only to be too tipsy to execute.

Bring the guests in! Sure, it’s traditional to do the first dance alone on the dance floor, but this isn’t a hard rule. If you’re not willing to have a choreographed dance and you’re uncomfortable with the idea of all eyes on you for two straight minutes, break out into a conga line or a group dance after the first minute.

/0 Comments/by
dance-floor-on-the-wedding-hall

Top 10 Viral Wedding Dance Videos of All Time

Top 10 Viral Wedding Dance Videos of All Time

Looking for inspiration to make your first dance memorable, these are the top 10 viral wedding dance videos of all time! With the magic of the internet, we can look at literally thousands of wedding videos from around the world. Of course, the internet being what it is, some of these wedding dance videos have become extremely popular and have been shared around the world.

If you’re stumped on how to execute your own first dance, take a gander at these viral wedding dance videos for a glimpse at what everybody loves to see out of first wedding dances:

1

The Dirty Dancing. Of course, “Time of My Life” is probably a popular choice for a lot of first dances, but this couple actually did the dance from the movie right down to a T, including the part where Johnny lifts Baby over his head.

2

The JK Wedding Entrance Dance. This one went so viral that the hit show The Office paid homage to it. It features the entire wedding party dancing down the aisle to Forever by Chris Brown. Its popularity shows that millions of people agree that a fresh approach to the aisle is always welcome!

3

The Best Mother Son Dance Video Ever. Unique dances don’t have to be the province of the bride and groom! This fun take on the mother-son dance clearly makes the crowd go wild, and will be remembered for years to come.

4

The Best Wedding Speech Ever. Want to add some pizzazz to your wedding toast? Why not jazz it up with some professional dancers and a choreographed dance routine? This bride surely won’t forget this toast!

5

A “Crazy” First Dance. First dances also don’t need to be solo! This first dance for a couple is tightly choreographed and involves the entire wedding party.

6

A Breakout First Dance. This dance starts off slow, but breaks out into a fun and zany couple dance. Well choreographed and entertaining, this one certainly didn’t bore the watchers!

7

A Swing of a Dance. Set to a classic big band theme, this couple pulls off a more “traditional” swing dance routine that is entertaining, fast-paced, and yet classic.

8

The Thriller. Hey, you can’t go wrong with classic MJ. This is a fun way to include the wedding party in a dance that doesn’t leave all eyes on you and is set to something family-friendly and easily recognizable.

9

The Multiple Song Procession. This one is similar to the JK wedding entrance dance, but instead of the whole procession dancing to the same song, each member has his or her own!

10

10th Wedding Anniversary Dance. This isn’t exactly a wedding dance, but it’s an anniversary one! This couple makes it their own with a lively routine, and as a bonus… they have their kids join in!

There are plenty of different ways to make your wedding dance (or your wedding toast, or your mother/son or father/daughter dance) your own, and truly make your nuptials something that the guests will remember forever! Remember – it’s your day, and your dance should reflect your personality and individual style.

/0 Comments/by
Marlin-D.-Woods

Marlin D. Woods

“From the moment we met with Carolyn, she made us feel like family. Carolyn was professional, classy, and didn’t push but, offered her professional, expert insight, and formal training to what put the “icing on the cake” to our beautiful wedding reception. As a result of her loving and warm interpersonal approach, she has become a permanent part of our family. My wife Jessica and I highly recommend Carolyn Paddock’s services. You won’t be sorry!”

/0 Comments/by
Lindsay-and-Matt-wedding-photo

Lindsay and Matt Taylor

“Matt and I both want to thank Carolyn for working with us for the First Dance. Her choreography was great and she worked with us at our own pace. Everyone at the wedding told us our First Dance as husband and wife was the highlight of the evening. So again, thank you so much for everything!”

“Carolyn did an excellent job in choreographing our wedding dance with many creative moves. She was great in teaching us the steps and making sure our dance was the hit of wedding! After the “I do’s,” of course.” ~ Matt Taylor

/0 Comments/by
Jessica-Brooks-Wedding

Jessica Brooks

“I just want to thank Carolyn so much for Everything! Everyone loved the dance!  People were in tears and clapping.  It was magical! The makeup was beautiful, but even more than that I felt God sent her there to be there for me. She took the place of anyone important who was not there. like my Mom!  God sent her to me and I’m so Grateful.  Also  Thank you so much Carolyn!”

/0 Comments/by
Dr.-Donna-L.-Goldstein-Wedding-Photo-2

Dr. Donna L. Goldstein

“Carolyn-we are so grateful for your tutorage and choreography of our wedding dance! You made it so fun and easy for us to learn and practice during the busy weeks leading up to our big day- we hope you were proud of our results and would highly recommend your services to any other brides and grooms! We look forward learning more and keeping our connection.”

 

Also, thank you so much for the lovely make up application you did for me and my bridal party! You were such a positive and calming influence that morning too. I have gotten a lot of compliments and it stayed fresh all day! One reason my wedding pictures look so nice is that you did my make up and even helped with my hair and veil- many thanks again! xooxxo ~ The happily married, Vern Sibble and Donna Goldstein

/0 Comments/by
Bride-Alicia-Harrell-and-Bridal-Party-2

Alicia Harrell

“There is something so special about Carolyn, that words can hardly do her justice. Having a destination wedding can be very stressful, being you have to hire venders online, over the phone, and You Tube video accreditations. Our destination wedding weekend started off very bumpy, from the crushed wedding dress from our flight to Miami, the 3+ hours wait at the court house, to multiple pickups at the two different airports. Carolyn entered our lives on July 10, 2011. She embraced our chaos with grace, professionalism, and was instantly a part of the family. My maid of honor lost weigh during the weekend and her dress was too big, my gown was a wrinkled mess. Carolyn taught us how to steam the dress and take in the other dress. We are women of color of all various shades; Carolyn was able to do our makeup immaculately. I cannot recall my mother looking so confident of her beauty and happy. I think she floated across the room at times. Our wedding was very emotional we all cried, but our makeup still looked fabulous! Carolyn seemed to sprinkle magic dust on all of our faces. She brought calmness to the room.We relaxed and enjoyed several memorable moments. I highly recommend Carolyn; she has so much to offer and cares about her clients.”

/0 Comments/by