A “first dance” 30 years later

Monique and Joseph celebrated 30 years of marriage with a dreamy vow renewal in Costa Rica. For their special night, they wanted an epic dance to surprise their closest friends and family. The twist? A few of those friends were secretly part of the routine. From the very first beat of “Lose Control” by Teddy Swims, it was clear this was going to be no ordinary wedding dance. 

We kicked things off with two focused rehearsals just for M + J, followed by two group sessions with their secretly recruited friends. Decades of shared history showed itself beautifully as everyone was fully invested, open, and dare I say even the men were excited? 😆 

M+J brought the vision, I crafted the moves, and together we struck that perfect balance between polished and personal. The final routine was a seamless blend of passion and play: synchronized sections with Bridgerton-style elegance, a few breath-stealing dips, and a finale worthy of Dancing with the Stars.

And just when you thought it couldn’t get more cinematic, a world-class violinist opened the performance with a stunning intro that set the tone perfectly. It was the kind of experience that makes you pause and think, this is what it’s all about. The joy, the surprise, the commitment—it all came together so beautifully. Here’s to 30 more, Monique and Joseph!!

First Dance Choreography by Sarah Haggerty Milner

Photography by Toh Gouttenoire