As one of the most memorable moments of your wedding, the perfect first dance not only opens the floor but is a special and intimate moment between the newlyweds which has become an important wedding tradition over the decades.
It stems from many years ago when ballroom dancing was an acquired skill everyone had to have, and the first dance at a ball or special event was usually done by a royal guest of honour to open the floor.
Nowadays, couples typically pick a song suited to their personal love story and practice a routine before the time to entertain their guests. But to make your first dance special, there needs to be a touch of originality. Since not everyone is a skilled ballroom dancer, it can be challenging to put on the performance you want.
Here are some easy steps to getting your first dance-off on the right foot.
STEP 1 – THE VIBE
What kind of story do you want to tell with your first dance? As we’ve said, this is a crucial moment to show off the type of couple you are. You could go romantic and sultry with a tango, or cheesy with an 80s-inspired throwback that references moves like the electric slide and the hammer dance. If you’re more emotional, a slow dance is perfect whereas a classic couple might enjoy a foxtrot. Each dance style gives a different vibe and will determine the music choice and choreography going forward.
STEP 2 – THE SONG
The song you choose for your first dance should be representative of the personal relationship you have with your partner. This doesn’t necessarily mean you need to choose a completely original song, but you should feel that it speaks to you and your partner’s feelings towards each other. You also need to keep in mind the length of the song and the beat for your dance.
STEP 3 – THE CHOREOGRAPHY
You can either choose to have a professional dance instructor choreograph a dance for you and your partner, or do it yourself. If you want to choreograph your dance, however, you need to start as soon as possible as the more time you have the more time you will have to learn the steps. This can be a good time for you and your partner to become even closer during the wedding planning, through learning to dance together.
STEP 3 – THE DANCE
When it comes to your big day there will be a swarm of emotions, and executing a rehearsed dance may be a challenge, despite all your practice. Don’t feel discouraged by this, and, instead, focus on your partner and all the moments you’ve shared and the ones you’ve yet to share. A perfect dance will look different for everyone and should be about celebrating with your loved ones.
Smaller factors to keep in mind:
– Take your wedding shoes into consideration when planning your wedding dance. Practice in them a few times before your big day.
– When deciding on your wedding outfit, think about whether you will be able to move around and dance comfortably in it.
– Make sure to speak with your DJ and MC beforehand to let them know how and when you would like your dance to happen.
– Give yourselves enough time to practice, and remember to relax and allow for mistakes to happen in your first few tries.
Image: Unsplash
Before Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie sizzled on the silverscreen in their 2005 film Mr and Mrs Smith, the movie star was married to America’s sweetheart Jennifer Aniston.…
UFC star Conor McGregor has finally proposed to his long-time girlfriend of 12-years, Dee Devlin. The fighter put a ring on it on Sunday, August 9, which happened to be Devlin’s birthday too!
Taking to Instagram to announce his exciting news, McGregor posted a picture of himself and Devlin cuddled up, showing off the new engagement ring.
“What a birthday, my future wife,” wrote McGregor.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CDodFIDJqDg/?utm_source=ig_embed
The pair share two children together, a three-year-old son Conor Junior, and a one-year-old daughter Croia.
McGregor has been open and public about his relationship with Devlin, and often credits her for his success in life. In an interview with MMA Fighting, he said: “My girlfriend has been there since the start. She has helped me throughout this career. If it wasn’t for her, I probably wouldn’t be where I am today.
For me to be able to take her out of work, give her everything she’s ever wanted and to travel the world with her fills me with pride. It keeps me going. We’ve been together a long time. She’s been through it all with me.”
They started dating in 2007 after meeting in a nightclub, and they have been inseparable ever since.
For their happy news, congratulations poured in for the couple. Several other UFC stars including Holly Holm sent their well wishes. Conor’s father Tony, sister Erinn, and niece Taylor all sent their love too, and so did Devlin’s sister Sarah, who wrote, “My heart is so full for these two.”
Congrats to the happy couple!
Image: Instagram / Conor McGregor
Cape Town’s own olympic athlete Wayde van Niekerk made headlines across the country when he became the 400m record holder. He achieved a lifetime dream that day. It…
While the term ‘laminating’ may remind you of your days at school, it’s gotten a new upgrade in the beauty world. Brow lamination has risen as a less-permanent alternative to microblading, allowing people to have the eyebrows of their dreams.
If you’ve got pesky eyebrows that won’t stay in place no matter how much eyebrow gel you apply, brow lamination might just be for you. Brides who get these procedure done can rest assured their eyebrows will be on point for their wedding day.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CDh0nU5J1GA/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
What is brow lamination?
Brow lamination is almost like a perm for your eyebrows, which will leave the hairs structured into a particular shape. The hairs are brushed straight up and a chemical treatment is applied to retain it. Once removed, the brow hairs appear fluffy and feathery.
At first, the brows can appear quite overwhelming and straight. However, they settle within a few days.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B4x953nnMJG/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Who is the ideal customer?
This treatment is ideal for people with bushy brows that follow irreguar patterns as it trains the hair to go in one direction. It’s also good for those with finer, more sparse brows as it can create the effect of fulller brows.
Another bonus is that it’s not permanent, as it typically lasts for eight weeks as your eyebrow hairs grow out. Microblading, however, lasts for about a year and the procedure can be painful, which deters many.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CC8-INkjDQ0/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
How does it work?
This treatment is similar to a lash lift, and is not painful although it may slightly irritate sensitive skin. Two treatment solutions are applied to the brows. First, a keratin-infused straightening treatment is brushed through the hairs and left on for 20 minutes to soften them and make them more malleable. In the next step, the hairs are brushed into the desired shape and another solution is applied to keep them in place.
https://www.instagram.com/tv/CCOXd-tHuDK/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
How to maintain it?
For the first 24 hours after your appointment, it is important to avoid getting your brow hairs wet. Thus, one should avoid exercising, swimming, going out in the rain or wetting their face when bathing. You should also condition the brows daily with a lash serum, ask your beautician to recommend a good product.
Feature image: Unsplash
Having to cancel your wedding is a sad feat. A Johannesburg man, however, is not letting it get the best of him. Rather, it has brought out the…
The massive explosion that recently shattered the streets of Beirut, Lebanon, caught many off-guard. People were simply going about their days as the shockwave swept through the city. One bride was in the process of filming an outdoor photo session in her wedding gown just as the explosion took place.
Israa Seblani, a doctor who works in the United States arrived in Beirut three weeks ago for her wedding, according to The Guardian. Seblani, who is the bride in the video, was in the city’s Saifi Village with her wedding photographer, Mahmoud Nakib, recording a film of her in her wedding dress as the explosion took place.
Speaking to CNN, Nakib said they heard an explosion and thought it was far away, so they continued filming. As it turns out, that was only the first explosion. “In just one second, the sky turned black and we heard the second explosion,” he said.
The shockwave caused by the explosion created a massive gust through the city, which was caught by Nakib on his film.
“The area I was in – within matter of seconds – it went from beautiful place to ghost town filled with dust, shattered glass and people yelling [and] bleeding. It was like a nightmare scene,” he explained.
“What happened during the explosion here – there is no word to explain … I was shocked, I was wondering what happened, am I going to die? How am I going to die?” the bride said to Reuters.
Everyone who was out filming with them made their way inside, and they are all safe and unharmed.
“We are still in shock … I have never heard anything similar to the sound of this explosion,” said Seblani.
“There is a lot of damage, many people were killed and wounded. But also if I want to look at us, myself, my husband, the photographer – how we escaped unharmed, I thank God for protecting us.”
The footage has been obtained by Reuters, watch it here:
Image: Screenshot from video