A Harborside Wedding - The 8th Grade Sway with a Twist

A Harborside Wedding - The 8th Grade Sway with a Twist

February 11th, 2010 @ 8:16 am by Mrs. Swan
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After our wonderfully productive and fun cocktail hour, our guests proceeded upstairs so that we could finally start the reception.

I have a confession to make: I did not want to get announced as we entered the room. Whatcha talkin’ about, Mrs. Swan? I was kinda uncomfortable with the hoopla-esque feeling of it. In my ideal world, Mr. Swan and I would come upstairs, take a seat just like our guests did, and let things proceed from ther.

But we got announced anyway… yeah, I punked out on this one, too. It was one of those times where people were saying, “You’re not going to do THAT? You’ve got to do THAT!” Okay. We did it. It was another small thing I hadn’t expected to do, but it was actually fun.

We decided to do the first dance immediately.

By the way, I’ve never understood why first dances tend to occur as soon as the bride and groom enter the reception. Do any of you know why? Is it to “open the dancing?” Hmmm…

I was happy that we decided to have our first dance sung by one of my friends, Big Mitts (not her real name). Remember her? She has a lovely voice, has sung in a variety of settings, and I knew that one of the songs we were thinking of would really suit her voice. She sang “Inseparable” by Natalie Cole.

We always talk when we dance.

I think Mr. Swan and I tried to make sure we didn’t totally just do the 8th grade sway. We did try to get something going by adding a turn or two.

Our song ended, and I thought, “Well, that was fun!” Little did I know that our dance time was actually not over. I’ll have you remember that Mr. Swan was out of work for most of our engagement. That left him with quite a bit of time on his hands and the ability to take some dance lessons. Our DJ, Rob, piped in and said that in honor of my love of “Dancing with the Stars” Mr. Swan had taken salsa lessons and was going to put on a show… with me! WHOA! I definitely didn’t see that coming!

I’m not THAT great of a salsa dancer, but I wanted to at least get the basic step right. I really had to concentrate.

Mr. Swan shaking his hips was just too darn cute. Go, Mr. Swan! Go, Mr. Swan! Go, Mr. Swan!

He even threw in a dip!

I just burst into a fit of laughter because Mr. Swan had performed a Michael Jackson-worthy spin move.

Our first dance ended up being a lot more eventful than I thought it would be. Thank you, Mr. Swan!

Are you planning anything special for your first dance? Does your fiance(e) ACTUALLY know about it?

Swan Tip #13 - While you might want everything to turn out a certain way during your wedding, be open to the fun surprises that may be in store.

All images by Senor Dante Williams

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Tags: pictures, pro pics, recap |

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38 Responses to “A Harborside Wedding - The 8th Grade Sway with a Twist”

1 2 Last

Member

Miss Splash (message) 148 posts, Blushing bee

In Upstate New York, the bride and groom do not tend to enter and start off with their dance. However it is an idea that is suggested in Mindy Weiss’ book (”The Wedding Book”).

I too don’t want to be announced and Mr. Splash prefers the same. But I’m wondering if that would be a good moment to capture on film/video.

2/11/10 @ 8:22 am (reply)

Member

AzinAugust (message) 1,651 posts, Bumble bee

I think it is to “open dancing” as no one is supposed to dance before the bride and groom (in my understanding). Props to Mr. Swan on dancing like he was on dancing with the stars!! :o) Beautiful pics!

2/11/10 @ 8:25 am (reply)

Bee

Mrs. Sushi (message) 1,479 posts, Bumble bee

::squeal:: I am loving the photos! How awesome that he took dance lessons.
And Mrs. Swan….you are smokin’ HOT!

2/11/10 @ 8:28 am (reply)

Bee

Mrs. Beagle (message) 1,380 posts, Bumble bee

That is sooooo cute that he took dance lessons! I am LOVING your recaps!!

2/11/10 @ 8:33 am (reply)

Bee

Miss Pug (message) 3,753 posts, Honey bee

oh that is just too awesome that he took lessons to surprise you. look at you two! and how nice that you got to dance your first dance to your friend singing. i think a first dance makes sense because after you’re introduced, it might be abrupt to just sit down. maybe. i dunno.

2/11/10 @ 8:36 am (reply)

Bee

Mrs. Kitten (message) 868 posts, Busy bee

Mr. Swan’s salsa surprise is so cute!!

I was like you and didn’t want to be announced. Since I didn’t get to meet our DJ before the wedding, I was scared he would do it in a cheesy DJ voice. People still clapped and cheered when we came back from our portrait session, but there was no announcement.

2/11/10 @ 8:37 am (reply)

Bee

Miss Trail Mix (message) 6,329 posts, Bee Keeper

Battery Gardens is such a great space, so light and airy, your pics are gorgeous!

2/11/10 @ 8:42 am (reply)

Guest

KathyL

You two are the best!! and I laughed out loud at the 8th grade sway….so funny.

2/11/10 @ 8:44 am (reply)

Member

lkbphmd (message) 662 posts, Busy bee

I love the fact that he took dance lessons to surprise you. We’ve been taking dance lessons together- I always want to lead, he can’t remember more than one step at a time. But we’re having fun trying!

2/11/10 @ 8:45 am (reply)

10.

Member

krissycake (message) 4,160 posts, Honey bee

GRREAT post! You two are completely adorable…love his tie and your amazing arms!!

Also, we were announced after our bridal party and it definitely was one of my favorite moments, which I didn’t expect it to be. The next wedding I was in had just them announced and it threw me off.

2/11/10 @ 8:48 am (reply)

11.

Bee

Mrs. Deviled Egg (message) 1,250 posts, Bumble bee

Awww! The surprise salsa dance looked like so much fun! Go, Mr. Swan!

2/11/10 @ 8:54 am (reply)

12.

Bee

Miss Rainbow (message) 1,535 posts, Bumble bee

Hahaha! OMG, I love Mr. Swan so much! I could just imagine you two salsa-ing! Too cute!

2/11/10 @ 9:29 am (reply)

13.

Member

thefuturemrsjewell (message) 1,829 posts, Buzzing bee

that’s so adorable, i love that he surprised you with his salsa moves! What a fun way to get the party started!

2/11/10 @ 9:35 am (reply)

14.

Bee

Miss Cardigan (message) 8,645 posts, Bee Keeper

I love that he surprised you with a dance! That looks like SO much fun!!!!

2/11/10 @ 9:36 am (reply)

15.

Member

PlaidBride (message) 203 posts, Helper bee

That is the cutest thing. I hate to judge a book by its cover, but Mr. Swan doesn’t look like the type to whom salsa would come particularly naturally. Also, my fiance was born without the ability to recognize a beat of any sort. We’ll be doing the upgraded sway with swirls but without the hot salsa followup

2/11/10 @ 9:36 am (reply)

16.