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What is Dancing Between Courses/East Coast Style Wedding?

(David Rothstein is one of StrictlyWeddings.com Chicago partners. He shared this great information with us on Dancing Between Courses)

First let’s define what dancing between courses is. It is used for all weddings on the east coast and amazingly enough called East Coast style. It has become very popular for weddings throughout the country because of the many benefits. The biggest difference isthat the dance orchestra starts at the beginning of dinner instead of after.

Here’s what the overall schedules would look like:

Dancing after Dinner (Mid-West Style)

Schedule Overview:
5:45 – 6:30pm Ceremony Classical Duo (Violin and Piano)
6:30 – 7:30pm Cocktails Jazz Trio (Piano, Bass and Sax)
7:30 – 9:00pm Dinner Jazz Trio Continues
9:00 – 12:00am 10-Piece Orchestra

Ceremony:
___________________________________________
5:45-6:30pm Ceremony Classical Duo

Cocktails:
6:30-7:30pm Jazz Trio

Dinner:
7:30-9:00pm Jazz Trio Continues

7:30pm Doors open (Guests enter ballroom)
Bridal Party Introductions

Flower Girl: escorted by Ring Bearer:

Parents of the Bride:
Parents of the Groom:
Ushers:
Bridesmaids and Groomsmen:
escorted by
escorted by
Matron of Honor: escorted by Best Man

Bride and Groom:

Toasts:
Toast 1:
Toast 2:
Toast 3:
Toast 4:

Blessing Over Meal:

Meal is served

Cake Cutting

Dancing:
9:00-12:00am 10-Piece Orchestra

First Dance:

Father/Daughter Dance:
Mother/Son Dance:
Everyone begins dancing

10:30pm Bouquet/Garter

Dancing Between Courses (East Coast Style)

Schedule Overview:
5:45 – 6:30pm   Ceremony Classical Duo (Violin and Piano)
6:30 – 7:30pm   Cocktails Jazz Trio (Piano, Bass and Sax)
7:30 – 9:00pm   Dinner 10-Piece Orchestra
9:00 – 12:00am Dancing 10-Piece Orchestra Continues

Ceremony:
5:45-6:30pm Ceremony Classical Duo

Cocktails:
6:30-7:30pm Jazz Trio

Dinner:
7:30-9:00pm 10-Piece Orchestra

7:30pm Doors open (Guests enter ballroom)
Bridal Party Introductions

Flower Girl: escorted by Ring Bearer:

Parents of the Bride:
Parents of the Groom:
Ushers:

Bridesmaids and Groomsmen:
escorted by
escorted by
Matron of Honor escorted by Best Man
Bride and Groom:

First Dance:
Father/Daughter:
Mother/Son Dance:
Everyone dances one song

“Ladies and Gentlemen we will have plenty of dancing throughout the evening. In the meantime, please be seated”

Toasts:
Toast 1:
Toast 2:
Toast 3:
Toast 4:

Blessing Over Meal:

Announce

Salad is served Cake Cutting

After Salads is being cleared:
“Ladies and Gentlemen, while you are waiting for your main course we’d like to invite to join us for dancing.”

The Catering Director cues David once the main course is served.
“Ladies and Gentlemen we will have plenty of dancing throughout the evening. In the meantime, please be seated as your main course is being served.”

Dancing:
9:00-12:00am 10-Piece Orchestra Continues

10:30pm Bouquet/Garter

Dancing Between Courses has several huge benefits to the flow of your wedding:

WHAT HAPPENS:
Dance Orchestra starts performing as the door to the ballroom opens.

BENEFITS:
You will make a big impression having a full orchestra playing as your guests come in.

WHAT HAPPENS:
When you are introduced with a standing ovation, you walk right to the dance floor for your First Dance, Father/Daughter and Mother/Son.

BENEFITS:
All the formal dances are completed. After dinner you will have 3 hours of uninterrupted dancing.

WHAT HAPPENS:
Your guests are invited to dance one song.

BENEFITS:
The dancing will jump start your party and put your guests in the mood for a great night.

WHAT HAPPENS:
Guests are invited to dance after the salad course.

BENEFITS:
Instead of sitting at their table with a dirty plate with waiters reaching around them, they can dance to their favorite songs.

WHAT HAPPENS:
The dance orchestra performs for 4 ½ hours instead of 3.

BENEFITS:
You can choose more of your favorite songs.
If toasts are long or the food is running behind, you’re covered.

SUMMARY:
Dancing between courses is a huge advantage to the overall success of your wedding if you can afford it. Think of it as an insurance policy for having an amazing wedding.

Feel free to contact me at my web site below to ask any questions.

David Rothstein
David Rothstein Music, Inc
www.drsmusic.com

Click to view David on video - This is a detailed and helpful video about how dancing between courses actually works. I describe the differences between mid-west style weddings and east coast style.

A Dance To Last a Lifetime…

The moment has come when the bride and the groom take the dance floor … it’s definitely not the time to be awkward or self-conscious. Many couples take several dance classes just to get comfortable with each other or just to learn a single dance. Don’t wait until the last minute to learn your dance! 

StrictlyWeddings.com suggest you start 4 to 6 months before the wedding with your dance lessons.

Be patient when learning. Dancing is a great stress reliever, and a fun date night, so don’t put too much pressure on each other. Take your lessons in the right shoes. We suggest wearing shoes to your lessons that are similar to the ones you’ll be wearing on the big day.

Take at least one dance lesson a week and practice when possible. Everyone feels most comfortable with a private lesson, but the classes and parties will be closer to what the rest of your reception will be like.

Learning to dance for a wedding is a special gift that you and your spouse-to-be can give to each other. A couple who feels confident and poised when they dance together will ensure that their very first dance together as wife and husband will be a memory they will cherish forever.

Things you may want to know for your first lesson…

1. What kind of music will you have at the wedding?
2. Will a band or DJ play your first song?
3. Will you have Mother/Son, Father/Daughter or bridal party dances?
4. Will your honeymoon have dancing? (Latin/Tropical getaway, Cruise,etc.)
5. What is the size of the dance floor at your reception?
6. How many other weddings will you attend this year?

POSSIBLE FIRST DANCES

• Can You Feel the Love Tonight
• How Sweet it is to be Loved by you
• Crazy for You
• Don’t Know Much
• Fascination
• Fly Me to the Moon
• When a Man Loves a Woman
• Here and Now
• I Just Called to Say I Love You
• I Get a Kick Out of You
• I’ll Always Love You
• I’ve Got You Under My Skin My Girl
• Night & Day
• Our Love is Here to Stay
• Smooth
• Someone to Watch Over Me
• Stand By Me
• Unforgettable

P.S. If you’re in the Dallas area and looking for a dancing lessons, visit The Dance Centers of Fort Worth and Mid Cities. 

Photography courtesy of Larry Sengbush Photography

Make Sweet Music Together

Selecting your music is something that the two of you (bride and groom) can do together and one of the few tasks that a groom may actually enjoy! Music sets the tone – before the wedding, during the ceremony and at the reception. Plus it adds an elegance to your wedding and liveliness to your reception.

If you have hired musicians for your ceremony to provide the perfect sounds and you are having your wedding and reception at the same location then you will be able to use them for both, but if you have paid them for the ceremony and your budget won’t allow for additional entertainment, consider having CD’s made that can be played at your reception to enhance the excitement of the event. (If you are using the church organist meet with them in advance to hear and select music from their repertoire).

Having CD’s made also allows you to be creative and personalize the songs you choose as a couple and if the music is close to your heart then you could create a copy of the CD that your guests could take with them in memory of your big day.

If you choose pre-recorded music, just make sure to double check that your wedding and reception locations have adequate sound systems to accommodate the sound you are trying to provide.

As your research for your musicians or DJ’s, the first place to turn for recommendations would be your close friends and family. However, at StrictlyWeddings.com, our partners have been uniquely selected to provide you with beautiful music.

Whatever your choice, make it uniquely yours … it’s what memories are made of.

Band or DJ?

When you have the band-versus-dj discussion, you need to think about what each has to offer before signing a contract. Jung Lee, a co-owner of Fête, a top New York event-planning firm, says, “A great dj is better than a mediocre band any day, but a live band has wonderful energy that you can’t get from recorded music.” You decide which fits your party better.

Reasons to book a DJ:
* He’s affordable (dj prices start at about $500 for five hours; bands are often a minimum of $3,000)
* Will play any song you want
* Can work in small spaces without a lot of equipment
* Keeps music going during the entire party with no lull
* Is trained to choreograph the reception and make announcements

Reasons to book a band:
* They make a more dramatic presentation, with musicians, vocalists, and all those instruments
* Have unique personalities
* Their infectious energy can get people on the dance floor
* Guests who don’t dance will still enjoy watching the show
* Live music is more emotional, which is what the day is all about

This content originally appeared in Brides magazine.

Rent a Photo Booth

Did you know that you can actually rent a photo booth for your wedding?  What a great way to get candid and fun shots of your party guests!

Visit http://boothbooth.com/ for all the rental details!

Father – Daughter Playlist

Are you a Daddy’s little girl? Here are 10 songs to share that special moment with your father on your wedding day:

1. My Girl – The Temptations
2. Father and Daughter – Paul Simon
3. Isn’t She Lovely – Stevie Wonder
4. Thank Heaven For Little Girl – Maurice Chevalier
5. Daughters – John Mayer
6. The Way You Look Tonight – Frank Sinatra
7. Butterfly Kisses – Bob Carlisle
8. I Loved Her First – Heartland
9. Sunset, Sunrise – Fiddler On The Roof Soundtrack
10. Daddy’s Little Girl – Al Martino

Have any more suggestions? Let us know in the comment box!

Setting the Mood with Music for Your Wedding Celebration

For many couples, the wedding ceremony is just part of the celebration.  After exchanging vows, they go on to the wedding reception, where family and friends join together for joyous celebration.  

For both parts of your special day, the music you choose can play an important role in the type of mood that is set.   Do you want a fun wedding?   Do you want a serious or traditional one?  How you choose your wedding entertainment in Dallas, Texas will definitely determine the ambiance of your special day.

Jamming with Wedding Bands

For many couples, the wedding band is a popular choice. And in Dallas, Texas, there are plenty of wedding bands that you can choose from.  For instance, you can pick up some of the local flair by hiring a country band or a Latin band.  If you are going for a tropical or Caribbean themed wedding, then a reggae or steel drum band might be appropriate. Other couples will decide to go with a Dallas, Texas wedding band that does their personal favorite music, such as a Top 40 band, a 90′s band, or a dance band. If you are unsure what you would like, consider interviewing a few different Dallas, Texas wedding bands to see what there is available.

Spinning with Wedding DJs

Some couples prefer a variety of music styles for their wedding entertainment in Dallas, Texas. If this is the case for you, then a wedding DJ might be more appropriate. The advantage of a wedding DJ is that you can use a variety of different music styles, since everything is done on CD. There is often less of a need for an “intermission” since there is no band that will need to take a break (and the DJ can often eat right at his or her station, or set up several tracks to play while taking a break). Different DJs will have different styles – for instance, some may be more into telling jokes and making small talk than others, so you will want to interview a few before deciding on your wedding entertainment in Dallas, Texas.

Going with Solo Musicians

For those couples who prefer a more traditional sound to their wedding, you might consider a solo musician for your wedding entertainment in Dallas, Texas. Unlike a band, this is only one musician. Depending on your personal tastes, a variety of instrumentation is available. Your choices might include an acoustic guitar, a cellist, a harpist, a keyboardist or organist, or a violinist, among other instruments. Or you can choose to hire a wedding singer to sing songs during your wedding and reception. Again, the type of instrument and/or singer that you choose will have a large impact on the style and the mood of your wedding.

Enjoying Classical Wedding Ensembles

Another option for a traditional wedding is to go with classical wedding ensembles as your wedding entertainment in Dallas, Texas.  Like the Dallas, Texas wedding band, these are often a group of performers. However, instead of playing Top 40 music or your favorite 80s songs, these musicians give a more classical feel to your wedding. Brass ensembles, string quartets, and woodwind ensembles are all popular choices. Again, some people will find that different instrument selections will give a different feel to their wedding. For instance, a brass ensemble may be a bit overwhelming for the actual ceremony, but may be perfect for the festive celebration afterwards.

As with other parts of your wedding planning, the Dallas, Texas wedding band or entertainment may need to be reserved well in advance in order to secure your date. Start interviewing early, and reserve a time slot as soon as your plans have started to fall into place.  By understanding the mood you want to create, you can choose the best musical option that will become a beautiful soundtrack to your special day!