Eliecer Ramirez-Vargas of Costa Rica Ballroom assists couples in perfecting their wedding dance. Foxtrot, rumba, swing, tango and waltz are among the most choreographed styles of first dance. Photos: Hoskovec Photography
Costa Rica Ballroom helps couples come out of their shell.
The first dance is one of the defining moments of a wedding day. It’s a chance for the newlywed couple to share a quiet, personal moment together—but it can also be surprisingly nerve-racking. Woodbury’s Costa Rica Ballroom (650 Commerce Drive #100) offers flexible lessons to choreograph the first dance that will wow guests and strengthen the bond between the couple.
Costa Rica Ballroom was founded by Eliecer Ramirez-Vargas, a Costa Rica native, competitive dancer and certified coach, in Hopkins, and he now offers lessons in Woodbury on Sundays. Ramirez-Vargas explains that wedding dance lessons can deepen a couple’s connection and reveal aspects of a partner’s personality that might not surface in everyday life. “This will help them understand each other better, because in dancing, everything shows up,” Ramirez-Vargas says. “You know, whether they are good at taking information, if they are a good team player, how forgiving they are of other people’s mistakes.”
During introductory lessons, Ramirez-Vargas analyzes several factors, including their dynamic and confidence levels, as well as their goals and skills, and works with the couple as a team to create a dance they both feel comfortable with.
Ramirez-Vargas recommends taking at least 10 lessons and suggests giving ample time to work toward the vision, rather than squeezing classes into the final months before the big day. “Some couples come a year or two years earlier, just to get ready for that, and when they finish, it looks amazing,” he says. “It’s all about planning accordingly. Don’t leave it for the last minute. My biggest advice is don’t add stress to your life that you don’t need.”
Foxtrot, rumba, swing, tango and waltz are the styles Ramirez-Vargas most often choreographs for wedding couples. Since most songs follow a three- or four-beat structure, he notes that you can dance to almost any piece of music. “Pick a song that you love, that means a lot to you,” he encourages.
Ramirez-Vargas says a carefully planned first dance can serve as a subtle expression of your commitment to the marriage. “If you prepare for the dance, you’re showing that you really wanted to be there,” he says. “You really want to get married, and the way forward is going to be amazing.”
Ramirez-Vargas adds that the dedication couples bring to their first dance mirrors the effort put into the wedding as a whole. “It shows more than just about dancing. It almost shows more about the whole preparation, the effort that you’re putting into something that is special,” he says.
