Denver Vintage Wedding, Colorado Wedding Photographer & Coordinator

Toog Shingdig: A Swing dance wedding that rocked!

Some people are simply made for each other. Somewhere, at the beginning of time, they were promised to each other and their journey of love began before they were even born. That’s my dear friends and fellow swing dancers – Annalisa and David. This is a bit of their beautiful story of life, love and swing dancing. I hope you enjoy this vintage swing dance wedding….

Toog:

[tuewg]
noun
1. A person with whom one has a strong affinity, shared values and tastes, and a romantic bond:
“I married my Toog; we were made for each other.”

2. Someone who is Too good to be true.

3. The one you have decided is your Toogether forever person.

Word Origin
During a telephone call in the Correspondence Year (2013-2014). The groom was trying to say “you’re too good to be true!” but got stuck on “too. . .too. . .too . . .” trying to think of something else romantic & clever to say. Toog just sums it all up perfectly.

From the bride, Annalisa:

“I was finishing up a 7 week holiday in the States. It had been a time to reflect, visit family and think about what my next steps were going to be in Hong Kong. I decided to treat myself to a fun ‘Lindy Hop’ dance event I’d heard was going to be happening in Denver, Colorado – Lindy on the Rocks. I’d been dancing Lindy in Hong Kong, (actually, you can dance it the world over!) and really enjoyed the big band swing & jazz music that most often accompanied it.

On that first evening of social dancing one of the gals I was sharing the hotel room with found me and pointed out a dancer to me. . .
‘You really should ask that man to dance, he’s a local instructor and he’s really quite good!’ she said.

I heard a good song starting and saw that the man who’d been pointed out to me was just finishing a dance with someone else, so I asked him to dance.
He said ‘Not this one – I need to catch my breath first! – I’ll find you later. . .’

Towards the end of the evening I happened to be back at my table and saw the gentleman back at his table speaking with someone. We happened to catch eyes for a moment and I could see that he remembered his promise. . . he promptly came over and asked me for that dance, and it was a great dance! My friend was right, he was a fantastic lead and the dance was thoroughly enjoyable.”

Fast forward to the last day of Lindy on the Rocks…

From the groom, David:

“I definitely took advantage of the smaller crowd and sometimes danced two to three dances in a row with Annalisa. By now, I knew I was attracted, but really I didn’t have any plans or thoughts about it since she lived in Hong Kong!!! Much later in the evening, we’d just finished a dance and I was bringing Annalisa back to standing position after we dipped. At standing, we ended up forehead to forehead. Whisked away into the moment I wish I could say I had some plan, but I didn’t. I was nervous and said to her, ‘I’m a bit nervous, but I would like to ask if you would like to take a stroll outside with me, with my having the express intent on asking you for a kiss?”

After a long distance relationship Annalisa eventually moved to Denver and their evident love for one another turned into an engagement. Since they met dancing it only made sense to have a vintage style dancing shindig reception!

Learn to Swing Dance:

If this vintage swing dance wedding made you contemplate learning to swing dance or lindy hop yourself, please head over to the dance lessons page and sign up. It will be one of the most fun things you’ll ever try. I promise!!

Special thanks to Caitlin Coar who rocked this wedding with me so I could sneak in a dance or two.

Denver Wedding Coordinator & Photographer, L Elizabeth Events

If you are looking for a wedding coordinator or photographer in Denver, Colorado we would be delighted to help! Get in touch and tell us all about your wedding plans… CONTACT US

Wedding Design

Type: Wedding, Outdoor, August
Color Palette: Black, White and Red
Style: Casual, Vibrant, Vintage
Feel: Romantic, Fun-loving, Authentic

Wedding Vendors

Ceremony Venue: Cheesman Park
Reception Venue: The Turnverein
Coordinator: L Elizabeth Events
Photographer: L Elizabeth Events
Band: Jeremy Mohney Swing Band
Catering: Illegal Pete’s, Bourbon Grill
Desserts: Liks Ice Cream, Potluck style desserts
Floral Design: Bride, Annalisa Ryle
Hair and Makeup: Makeup by Cory
Transportation: Denver District School Buses
Stationary/Invitations: Bride, Annalisa Ryle

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