Family members and friends who gathered in upstate New York this summer for the wedding of P.J. Simmons and Noah Aberlin got a big surprise during the couple’s first dance.
Morgana King’s “It’s A Quiet Thing” suddenly cut out and the pair stopped dancing and turned to the DJ, who raised his hands and apologized.
But, guests who thought a special moment had been ruined by a technical glitch quickly realized things were about to get good.
“Conga” by Gloria Estefan and Miami Sound Machine blared from the speakers and Simmons, the chair of Corporate Eco Forum, and Aberlin, a musical theatre performer who works at Paul Taylor American Modern Dance, started a sultry Latin dance. Wedding guests cheered and applauded.
What came next was a slickly-choreographed routine to a medley of songs, including “Gonna Make You Sweat” by C+C Music Factory and “Get Down Tonight” by KC and The Sunshine Band – with a little bit of Madonna’s “Vogue.”
Simmons and Aberlin then tap-danced to “Puttin’ On The Ritz” before bringing it back to romance with the Dirty Dancing classic “(I’ve Had) The Time Of My Life” by Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes. And yes, that lift happened.
The newlyweds shared the video on YouTube last week and it has already racked up more than 314,000 views.
“We seriously did have ‘the time of our lives…,’” they wrote in the description. “An incredible night surrounded by incredible people!”
What’s more incredible is the joy Simmons and Aberlin have given to thousands of people. “We feel the love and send it right back to all of you!,” they commented.
The couple hopes their special dance will inspire people to donate to the It Gets Better Project, which offers support to young people struggling with their sexuality.