Thursday, July 15, 2010

Wed Recap: The one where the bride doesn't know what the first dance will be

So as you may recall, our first dance was one of those things that fell by the wayside during our planning process.  Originally, we fully intended to pay for dance lessons and have a choreographed swing dance.  But the day of our first lesson (which was supposed to take place at Dancing with the Stars' Cheryl Burke's studio), we cancelled our appointment because we were afraid we would have to put our dog to sleep that day.  Thankfully, he made it many more months but the dancing lessons became more of a stress than something we were excited about.



There was just too much going on with all the other wedding plans, work issues, family related issues and the uncertainty of what was going on with our doggie.  It was a pretty emotional time.  So we finally just agreed that we didn't have the time, money or motivation to perfect a choreographed routine.



Since we didn't really have 'a song' that was just 'ours,' I had no idea what we were going to dance to.  But Mr Fix It had mentioned several times in the year that he had a special song that he wanted to dedicate to me at some point during our wedding day.  I asked him to coordinate with our DJ if they thought it would be sufficient for us to dance our first dance to.  They both said it was a little 'fast' but if we wanted to bop or bounce to it, it would be fine.  The only condition was that Mr Fix It did not want me hearing it until our wedding day.  I was actually okay with this.  Though I was nervous about it (and with good reason as you'll see in a moment), it was kind of cool to know that there was something I would actually have to look forward to as a surprise for *me* since I had planned so many things for my guests and even my groom.  And I loved the idea of waiting to hear the song that reminded Mr Fix It of me on our wedding day.



So without further ado, here is the video of our first dance...I warn you that the video is shaky and the videographer walked around a bit so it's not edited video, but it will give you a look at our special moment.

Raw footage courtesy of Video Keepsakes of Beverly Hills

It was in fact so special because even though it was awkward to dance to a 'fast' song and even though Mr Fix It is not the greatest dancer :) and we looked really out of sync and such together, it was still our moment.  As the song began, it was hard for me to hear the words, so Mr Fix It decided to sing them to me in my ear.  We just swayed close together and I listened to these words and then it was seriously over before I knew it.



I was completely oblivious to all the people standing around probably bored out of their mind and wondering why we didn't break into a choreographed dance - my family and friends know this is totally my style and I know they were expecting it - but everyone else wasn't in the room at that moment.  And honestly, as you see us talking in the video, I have no freaking idea what the heck we were saying to each other in those moments :)



And just for fun, here are the lyrics to the song which I had to later listen to again on my ipod during our honeymoon to truly appreciate them.  It was really special because Mr Fix It always jokes with me that I was the first person he ever loved or had sex with which is so obviously not true considering he's been married and divorced and has left a plethora of women in his wake.  So it was kind of romantic to think that he truly thinks of me as his 'first' and his 'last.'  :)

Barry White - My First, My Last, My Everything

The first, the last, my everything
And the answer to all my dreams
You're my sun, my moon, my guiding star
My kind of wonderful, that's what you are
I know there's only, only one like you
There's no way they could have made two
You're all I'm living for
Your love I'll keep for evermore
You're the first, you're the last, my everything

And with you I've found so many things
A love so new only you could bring
Can't you see it's you
You make me feel this way
You're like a fresh morning dew on a brand new day
I see so many ways that I
Can love you till the day I die
You're my reality, yet I'm lost in a-a-a a dream
You're the first, the last, my everything

Share time:  What was or will be your first dance and do you have any expectations for it?


TODAY'S WEDDING TIP:  Learn to be okay with changing your plans and even letting go of some dreams or hopes you had if you think things are becoming too stressful or you just don't have the time to fit it all in or get it all done.  The first dance was one thing I was really looking forward to and had planned out with the music, choreography, attire, etc for months in advance.  But the vision I had played over and over again in my head just began to be overwhelming.  I began to feel pressure instead of excitement about it and because of everything else going on in our lives at the time, it was just easier to opt out of the original plan.  Though I still wish we had the time and money to do what we had wanted to, it was such a relief to not have the stress of fitting in more appointments and practice time and performance anxiety in the midst of the wedding planning process.

All photos by Robert Mullins Photography

16 comments:

Belinda C said...

Oh! Oh your GOBO light IS great! And you two looked so cute dancing to Barry White. That song is actually a song that I dedicate to my Honey.....the words are exactly what I feel....and felt....from the very beginning of our relationship. In my heart, this is a love like no other. So yes, if this is the song he chose for you, it is indeed a very special one. =)

Kim said...

Love this video clip! And it's so great that he picked such a wonderful song that he felt truly reminds him of the relationship that the two of you have built together. In my opinion, this is way better than a choreographed dance. Much more meaningful and sweet, which is what I love to see at weddings.

GM said...

Aww Mr. Fix It is soo sweet! I love that he picked the song and sang it to you while you danced. It may not have been choreographed, but it was a really sweet moment and that's awesome.

JazzWhispers said...

Love the dance! Definitely adorable choice of song, awesome pick to Mr. Fix It! I love faster paced first dances, I think they are extra cute.I especially enjoyed your awesome little jive before you two started dancing, when you realized how quick the song was.

I think we will be alike you two, so intertwined with each other during the first dance that no one else exists. I can not wait for that moment. You two looked beautiful in that moment!

We're dancing to All Wrapped Up In You by Garth Brooks, so that could be why I love the fast songs. lol.

Shannon said...

I think it's very sweet that he picked the song and surprised you with it but I can see what you mean about it being a bit harder to slow dance too. However I think you did a great job under the circumstances and got some really cute pictures.

Part of why I was upset about our DJ playing the wrong version of our song is that the radio version is faster than the acoustic version I wanted and therefore harder to dance too but we've actually danced to that song before so I think we did okay winging it.

I like seeing none choreographed dances where the couples are just in the moment and enjoying each other.

Em said...

Awww this is so sweet :) Love that he planned it out. We didn't get to have a choreographed dance either and we didn't even practice before doing the real thing. Needless to say it was awkward but very fun and very "us."

Salt said...

First of all I LOVE LOVE LOVE your GOBO! It's my favorite one ever.

And I LOVE that song. You two are adorable. And I still can't get over how much I love your reception dress.

There is a lot of love in this comment, isn't there? :)

Anyway, our first dance was to Africa by Toto which is also pretty fast. My husband is NOT a dancer either! So I'm sure we looked awkward but I could have cared less.

Courtney said...

Reading your story of your first dance brings back memories of my wedding nearly two years ago.

I love the shots your photographer got of the two of you. Too bad the video coverage that your videographer got was so shaky. It made me feel carsick watching it.

Congratulations to the two of you! You look so in love in the pictures.

honey my heart said...

your first dance is so intimate & sweet!!

Nicole-Lynn said...

Very sweet! I love that he surprised you with it! I couldn't agree more with your tip.. letting go of the control on some things has been so great for us too. My fiance is planning our entire honeymoon with little help from me. I love knowing he'll plan it and that I wont have that to stress about! :)

p.s. I can reply back to your comments you leave on my blog so I wanted to thank you again for all of the sweet advice you give and comments you leave for me! :)

Morgan said...

I think it is so, so sweet that he planned a surprise for you! After all your hard work, thinking of everything for everyone, it really shows how much he loves you to have planned this out...and then sung it to you! What a sweet moment.

P.S. your GOBO lighting was gorgeous!

Laura said...

Gorgeous pictures! We didn't do any lessons or anything. We pretty much ignored everyone and just danced to 'our song' and it was wonderful. He was singing to me and I was just grinning the whole time. I absolutely loved those moments!

PS - In response to your comment on my blog, you can find more pro pics in my sneak peek post from Monday! :) http://soontobemrsf.blogspot.com/2010/07/sneak-peek.html

Claire said...

What a wonderful song.
And what a great tip for all the brides to be. If something is becoming too stressful it is so much better to let it go.

Mo said...

I love that Barry White song, and how sweet that Mr. Fix It wanted to surprise you! I also totally know what you mean by being oblivious, during our first dance I was completely wrapped up in dancing together and didn't notice everyone surrounding us.
You both look so sweet dancing together. :)

Gaynor {Our Day by Design} said...

I love that song. Thats so lovely that he surprised you too.

I didnt think there would be any surprises as I had planned everything myself but our family had other ideas; 2 during the ceremony and 2 during the speeches.

We didnt dance for too long on our own; after a bit the best man & chief bridesmaid got up then the rest of the bridal party and our parents.

Mrs T said...

I left my headphones home today - so I will be back to watch all your videos.

But I love the lyrics to the song John picked out - glad he came through with something wonderful.

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