Do you want to hear a story? I’ve been going to weddings since I was seventeen. I’ve been a professional dancer from my early childhood. I’ve won every conceivable title and award. My resume tells you I’ve won 220 out of 220 competitions. I am an undefeated world champion yet at age seventeen I was hired to go to weddings. I was hired as a paid party guest. That’s right! I was paid to attend weddings. It was my job to have a good time. I loved it.
I was fed a story, you are the friend, cousin, employee, colleague, babysitter, whatever, of the bride, or the groom. I was fed how long I knew them and my entire relationship. As an actress this was so much fun. Who wouldn’t want to spend their weekend attending weddings and events.
It was my job to ask someone to dance, then another person, maybe started a line dance, a religious celebratory dance, a kid’s favorite, a group dance, or jitterbug, slow dance, or swing. For years in my teens, it was disco, then ballroom, classical, and popular music video favorites.
It was my job to keep the guests on the dance floor and having a good time. For over 10 years I attended weddings, usually hired by the band or orchestra, event planner, or bride and groom themselves. I learned a lot about weddings. About every aspect of weddings. But mostly, I learned about the music, dance, photography, and love.
Music was key. Dancer’s count, 8 & 1 & 2 & 3 & 4. We add the and count as it takes a body longer to move across a floor than it does for fingers to move across a keyboard, guitar strings, a violin, a harp, a trumpet, or any instrument. Music sets the tone, the theme, the vibe, and the ambiance for the entire event.
From the moment the guests arrive, whether it was a piano, a harp, a string quartet, a DJ, or filtered music taped in advanced, that energy, that surge sets the welcoming note. Then, there’s the ceremony. That walk down the aisle. Many people choose the classical Mendelssohn’s Wedding March or Pachelbel’s Cannon in D. While others choose a singer. I was even at a wedding where each walk down the aisle had its own theme song and play. ‘Girls Just Want to Have Fun’ for the bridesmaids, ‘Lollypop Lollypop’ for the flower girl, ‘Take Me out to The Ball Game’ for the groom since baseball was his favorite sport, ‘You Send Me,’ and on and on.
Each wedding has its own energy its own idea an ideal day. Sometimes you are playing the music of your life. Your first kiss, your first dance, the music playing when you first met and laid eyes on each other. Other weddings combine their favorite songs, his and hers, Barbara Streisand to Heavy Metal. Traditional weddings had classical playlists, and danceable tunes. While others wanted line dances, Hava Nagila, YMCA, Celebrate, and so much more.
Maybe your grandparents, or great-grandparents, or parents are from 
another country, and you want to honor them with music and moving memorable songs from their culture or country. Orchestras, big bands, DJs, friends, and family members that sing for you or even celebrity artists and appearances all can make your wedding day even more special. They can make it a day to remember for a lifetime and a day that rushes back elating your heart every time you hear ‘That Song’.
Today, even personalized wedding songs that tell your love story through the lyrics are a popular delight. I’ve created and crafted a bridal program that gives you everything that you need from the day you get engaged to the day of your wedding. Of course, I’ve included the most important elements. The Dream Day, The Dream Body, The Music, The Photography, and The Dance.
On our Hourglass Bride Site you can find A Musical Hand to Hold, a team of celebrity singers and musical artists that consult with you, guiding you through the music of your life and your dream wedding and dream day. They’ll create a playlist from the time your guests walk in. They’ll help you find, pick or choose your band, DJ, artist, sound system, and even hints and keys to your music’s smoothness and success. “Tipping, Food, Dressing Rooms, Set-ups, Sound Checks, Load Ins, Load outs, Agents, Contracts, Guarantees, and Musical Bliss”.
We also offer Kerri LeBlang’s Personalized Wedding Songs, a guitar and vocal version, or a full studio orchestrated masterpiece.
Of course, I wouldn’t be Nicole without the Steps to Dance. After all, that’s how this wedding journey got started. The keys to a successful first dance, personalized choreography, and even a dance workshop to get you in the very best shape with style and flair to wow your guests and to make your dreams come true.
Photography, cake, rings, it’s all there inside our creation of Hourglass Bride. There is no better gift than a song in your heart and a dance in your step as you move forward towards the day and the life of your dreams.
And who knows, maybe I’ll be sitting at a table at your wedding and when I hear the music, I may be compelled to well… get up and dance!
