North Branch couple wows guests at reception

Rick and Stacy Austen surprise family and friends with their first dance

Rick Austen of North Branch isn’t a dancer. But for his wedding reception last year, he and his bride, Stacy, performed a choreographed swing dance — complete with aerial lifts — that wowed their guests.

“Their jaws just dropped to the floor. They were all very surprised,” remarked Stacy.

Looking back, Rick admits it was a fun experience. “If I had to do it over again, I would,” he stated. “It was definitely worth it.”

A LOVE STORY

Chisago Lakes High School graduates Rich Austen (1999) and Stacy Vomela (2002) met through mutual friends as teenagers. Their high school romance blossomed into true love. On Christmas Eve 2007, Rick treated Stacy to a classy dinner at Bella in Blaine and asked her to marry him. She said yes. Two years later, on April 26, 2009, they tied the knot at North Redington Beach in Florida. Fifty close friends and family accompanied them on their destination wedding.

It had been Stacy’s idea to take lessons to prepare for their wedding dance. “I didn’t want to do one of those sappy, back-and-forth first dances,” said Stacy. The childhood dancer wanted to do something special for the once-in-a-lifetime event.

In the summer of 2008, Stacy talked Rick into taking a survey class at DanceSport Center. Rick’s parents, Ralph and Patty Austen of Cambridge, were also taking the class, which made it easier on Rick who had never danced before. The survey class planted the seed, and soon Stacy suggested that they take lessons. To double the fun, they roped in Rich’s sister, Anne, and her husband, Neil Ladd of Harris. The Austens picked their own song, but let Tracy Heinze, owner of DanceSport Center, choreograph their moves. They told her they were open to doing more than the basic swing so Heinze created a dance that included aerial lifts and shoot-through-the-legs moves.

The lessons were more than just preparation for their reception. It also gave Rick and Stacy valuable time with each other. “Taking dance lessons is a great way to reconnect with your partner during the stressful time of planning a wedding, or anytime for that matter,” noted Stacy.

“Dance is something you can learn and keep with you for the rest of your life,” said Heine. “It doesn’t expire. It doesn’t change.”

A SURPRISE

After 12 lessons, Rick and Stacy felt ready to wow their guests. The big day dawned, and the two vowed their eternal love to one another during a beautiful ceremony. Then it was showtime.

For drama, the newlyweds started off dancing to a more traditional slow song, “A Whole New World,” the theme song from “Aladdin.” Their rocking back and forth was interrupted by Neil, who shouted, “That’s a horrible song. You can’t dance to that!” His wife Anne sashayed up to the DJ, handed him a CD, and told him to play the song on it. The opening notes of “Crazy Little Thing Called Love” belted out. Neil told the bride and groom, “We’ll show you how it’s done.” Stacy and Rick followed their lead, as their guests stood there stunned. When they started the lifts, the silence was broken. “People went kinda crazy,” Stacy remembered, clapping and hollering.

“Our guests were surprised,” Rick remarked. “They said it was fun and different.”

“People will always remember the gift you give them at your wedding,” Heinze stated. At her own wedding, she and her husband performed a simple rumba. “People still talk about that,” Heinze said.

A FUN TIME

“We’ve helped a lot of couples get ready for their first dance,” observed Heinze. She’s also helped fathers and daughters prepare for their special dance, and grandparents get ready for the wedding of a grandchild. A few months ago, she taught lessons to a couple who wanted to do something unique for their wedding anniversary party. Heinze is also available to attend the reception and give lessons to guests before or during the dance.

“Even if you feel uncomfortable like I was, it can be a lot of fun,” said Rick. He appreciated the jokes Tracy made during lessons, as well as the names she had (such as “babymaker” and “nose-wipe turn”) for various moves. Stacy also recommends taking lessons from DanceSport Center. “Tracy is a great teacher. She does a wonderful job of making you feel comfortable, and makes it so much fun!” she said.

“It doesn’t matter if you have two left feet,” Heinze said. “I can work with that.”

Heinze advises couples to put dance lessons on their to-do list three to five months before the wedding. Lessons should continue until right up to the event so that no one forgets a move. The dance can be simple to elaborate; Heinze works with each couple to determine what sort of moves they feel comfortable with. A single lesson costs $65 while a 12-lesson package is $576. All lessons are 55 minutes long.

Not sure you’ll like it? Do a 30-minute sample lesson to check it out and then decide. Heinze stresses that you don’t need to know how to dance before you come. “Why would you take lessons if you knew how to dance?” she asked.

While “Dancing with the Stars” has been great for her sport, it has turned a lot of men off to dancing, Heinze noted. “You don’t need to look like that,” she said. “You can have a lot of fun with the basic steps.”

To contact Heinze, call 651-277-6683 or email tracylwheinze@yahoo.com. For more information, browse www.MNDanceSportCenter.com. DanceSport Center (formerly Footworks Ballroom and Latin Dance) is located at 6041 Main St. Suite A in North Branch. In March, the Cambridge studio will relocate from Ashland Street to the Cambridge mall.