When it comes to that first dance, we take ballroom lessons, we plan, we plot and we make sure that it’s just ‘so’ before ever stepping foot on the floor.
Even if you spent every Saturday afternoon (for the two months before your wedding date) practicing the quick-step, this couple has you beat.
When groom Kirk Henning hit the floor, it was for a can’t-miss performance.
Henning, a professional dancer, and his groomsmen (not all professional dancers) performed an eight-minute synchronised routine for the bride and guests at Richmond’s CenterStage in Virginia. The bride, Valerie Tellmann-Henning, is also a dancer – with the Richmond Ballet. The very viral video has millions of views, and is showing up brides and grooms the world over.
The wedding venue, which doubled as the setting for Henning’s choreographed routine, is also the same stage where the couple danced professionally. That said, this time there were no pretty pirouettes or dainty ballet moves. Instead, Henning surprised his new wife with a mash-up of songs, including Britney Spears’ “Crazy”, Bruno Mars’ “Uptown Funk”, Walk the Moon’s “Shut Up and Dance”, Enrique Iglesias’ “Bailando” and Brad Paisely’s “The World.” He also added an 80s inspired Top Gun-themed dance (complete with aviator sunglasses) to Kenny Loggins’ “Danger Zone.”
As the groom and his friends practiced their dance, the bride actually remained completely unaware. She told the Richmond Times-Dispatch that she had hoped her groom would put on a wedding reception performance, “But he was so busy with touring and school, he said, ‘Valerie, it’s just not going to happen.’” Wedding videographer Ginger Topham said (of the bride’s response to the performance), “Valerie had absolutely no idea. Her reaction, which you can see, was so cute.”
Only four of the eight groomsmen were professional dancers. Despite this, the group pulled off their choreographed routine with perfect polish. Four months before the big day, Henning start rehearsing his groomsmen. Henning started the rehearsals before the group ever got together, emailing video tutorials.
Despite the lack of pro training, the groomsmen still sold it. Henning said, “My brother has two left feet and only had one rehearsal before the wedding.”
The happy couple may just become accustomed to being in the spotlight. Not only is the Henning wedding video an Internet sensation, but the pair were also featured on TLC’s “Say Yes to the Dress.”
Even though the eight minutes of choreography were a hit with YouTube viewers, it’s what came afterwards that took the cake when it comes to ultimate cuteness. The video ends with the bride and groom dancing together. No, it’s not the first time that the couple has been on a stage, dancing (after all, they are professional dancers who belong to the same ballet company). As the confetti pops and the groomsmen and guests got back to grooving, the bride ran to her man – dancing into his arms and into their future!
