I was a sophomore in college when I first heard of wedding party dances. I was living in the sorority house — an experience where I gathered quite a bit of useless/fascinating information — but that’s a different story. I don’t know if I was sheltered, naive, or if people where I’m from just don’t do that kind of thing, but my roommate and sorority sister turned me on to all these CRAZY videos on YouTube, playing some at least once a day and dreaming about white weddings.

This girl told me and our other roommate that her bridesmaids would do a dance, preferably to “Thriller” or something equally entertaining at the reception. Which is fine and dandy, unless you’re like me and feel HORRIBLY awkward dancing in front of others without the help of A LOT of alcohol, something I had yet to discover sophomore year.

I was mortified when I realized I would be forced into shaking my booty with other bridesmaids and groomsmen at my friend’s reception. In her defense, she was a dancer throughout high school and loved to go to clubs in college simply to break it down. In my defense, I had a lot of growing up to do. And while I’m still not much of a dancer, I will occasionally make my way on the dance floor to have some fun, especially when all my girlfriends are with me.

One of my favorite wedding party dances?

As a point of reference, I’m like the girl walking down the aisle spinning her bouquet, but more awkward.

To be honest, all the videos she showed us made me smile (and still do, for that matter), but me being in one? Umm, not so much. Some of y’all have SEEN me dance, and you know my dancing skills are… eh. Also, I highly doubt my friend would have appreciated a drunken bridesmaid jamming/stumbling down the aisle.

When I moved away from the house, she and I had a falling out. We didn’t see each other much anymore. She graduated and moved away. I stayed in school longer, then moved to another state. We talk occasionally, but we will never be as close as we once were. And I forgot about all those fears until a few months ago.

I was surprised when I received a Save The Date from this old roommate, announcing her long-time-coming wedding this August. Needless to say, I wasn’t asked to be a bridesmaid or do any kind of group dance, minus possible swaying and singing for a sorority serenade or two.

But at the same time I received that photo magnet, I was talking to a bride. A bride who I’d “known” for quite some time. A bride who I absolutely adore. A bride who was looking for a wedding photographer in August. A bride who was willing to be a guinea pig with a relatively inexperienced wedding photographer.

So instead of breaking it down at that sorority sister’s wedding? I’m going to be at yours, photographing to my heart’s content. And as the night wears on, you might spot me on the dance floor, camera in hand, breaking it down with everyone else, albeit awkwardly. There is nowhere else I would rather to be that day.

It’s hard for me to grasp how blogging has connected me with so many wonderful people. When I first started StyHand, I had NO idea how close I would become to so many other bloggers. And I never could have guessed that I would fly to a random city to meet 25 friends from the Internet and have it turn out so wonderfully. I just met you officially in June, even though I feel like I have known you for years. And it’s hard to believe you are getting married in about two weeks!

I am honored to be the one documenting your wedding and, more importantly, to call you a friend. I am ecstatic that I will be there on your wedding day, and I cannot wait for every part of it. August needs to hurry up already!

Much love,
E.P.