Rebranded: PNW Wedding Dance

I am excited to share with you that this blog is now renamed PNW Wedding Dance as I've started a new business under that name - a new thread from my other business and the old blog name, PDX Flash Mob. 

Robert dances for his new bride at Youngberg Hill Winery. Photo by Power Studios.

 

I started PDX Flash Mob after one extremely impactful project in 2014: Robert & Pari's Wedding Flash Mob. Robert's fiance Pari was worried that no one would dance at their wedding, so Robert threw her a surprise flash mob to ensure she wouldn't be disappointed, comprised of professional dancers and their friends and family. He contacted the studio where I was currently teaching at in Portland and the studio owner kindly sent the project my way. Robert himself took lessons twice a week with me for a couple months leading up to the wedding day to prepare for this moment. He chose the classic, upbeat song "The Way You Make Me Feel" by Michael Jackson. Pari had no idea anything was going to happen and she got the surprise of a lifetime at their reception. Watching this flash mob and moment unfold touched my heart in a deep way. It still does every time I watch the video. 

Watch Robert & Pari's Wedding Flash Mob Video Here

I felt like I was on a happy high for days after their wedding. And all I could think about was "how can I do more of this?" Then I started thinking....why did they contact a dance school for kids for a wedding project? And as I looked around I started to realize that there was a niche that hadn't been filled in Portland - a flash mob business. I took a leap of faith and followed my heart and started my first ever business, PDX Flash Mob.

Robert & Pari enjoy their first dance, surrounded by family & friends. Photo by Power Studios.

 

I wasn't sure if I'd succeed. There was a lot to learn. But as the years went by PDX Flash Mob grew and grew. I've done so many flash mobs I've lost count. Flash mob proposals, flash mobs for bat mitzvahs, flash mobs for birthdays, for vow renewals, and of course for weddings. I've been honored to be a part of so many special moments. But one turn this business took that I wasn't anticipating was all the wedding dance opportunities that would come my way outside of flash mobs. I started doing first dances, then father/daughter and mother/son dances, bridesmaid dances, garter dances for the groom, reception line dance instruction and even lessons for wedding attendees who just wanted to brush up on some skills before they hit the dance floor. The more of these intimate, one (or two) on one projects I did, the more I realized that I really dug 'em. While I love a good party, I'm really more of a sit down and have a coffee and get to know you on a deep level kind of gal. So doing these first dance lessons where I could get to know a couple really well leading up to their big day was extremely rewarding and soul filling. And I just didn't feel like PDX Flash Mob was the name for that business. So...after a lot of thought and debate, I finally landed on creating PNW Wedding Dance.

So now I have two businesses I'm juggling, and I'm up for the task. I'll continue to post flash mob content here as well as wedding eye candy and useful tips. I am just grateful that I have the opportunity to do what I love as my career. I've met the most amazing people through teaching dances and have made some really great friends too. I can't wait to see where PNW Wedding Dance goes in the future. I'm ready to ride the wave.

To see my new website and business, PNW Wedding Dance, please click here

 

Vendors:

Venue: Youngberg Hill Winery

Catering: Willaby's Catering 

Photography: Powers Studios