Groom performs amazing choreographed hip hop routine for bride

This couple met on the dancefloor and a choreographed dance was a special part of their wedding.

Leanne Edmistone

3 min read

December 6, 2022 - 4:30PM

QWeekend

Des and Kim with their bridal party on their wedding day. Pictures: Evernew Studios.

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A chance dancefloor meeting sealed the fates of rhythm and blues fans, Desmond Leong and Kim Nguyen. Nine years after literally bumping into each other mid-groove at a nightclub, the pair wed at St Stephen’s Cathedral, Brisbane, before celebrating with 130 guests in a classic black tie reception at the Emporium Hotel South Bank.

The groom and his brothers surprised guests with a special choreographed performance, which ensured the dance floor was filled for the rest of the night.

“Everyone was caught by surprise and it really set the mood for the amazing party atmosphere we wanted to end our special night,’’ Kim says.

The Leongs, a radiation therapist and town planner, have settled at Upper Mount Gravatt.

Des and Kim on their wedding day. Pictures: Evernew Studios.

How did you meet? We were each out, complete strangers in separate groups, enjoying an R’n’B night at the former Church Nightclub, Fortitude Valley. Like a typical scene from a romantic comedy, we bumped into each other in the middle of the dancefloor, danced the night away and have been basically inseparable ever since.

How did he propose? Des had recently left his job and made up a story that his work colleagues had gifted him a voucher for a romantic, candlelit, sunset picnic at Kangaroo Point. I had no idea until he started to get on to one knee. I was in so much shock and completely speechless – I didn’t even really hear what he was saying. It felt like one of those moments in the movies where the world stops spinning and everything goes silent. Even though marriage is something we’d always spoken about, I was not prepared for how overwhelmingly special that commitment would feel.

Hen’s night? My bridesmaids surprised me with Pretty in Pink-themed celebrations, starting off with high tea at Greendays on the Gold Coast, followed by an afternoon at On Eagle Wings Day Spa. We ended the night in a private dining room at Agnes restaurant, with lots of tequila! I was in utter bliss.

Buck’s night? Des was also surprised by his groomsmen with a day/night of activities. A group of about 20 family and friends started the celebrations with clay shooting at Brisbane Sporting Clays, Chandler, followed by lunch at the German Club and some steins to kick off an afternoon of competitive pub golf around the pubs and clubs in Woolloongabba, Kangaroo Point, and South Bank. Then it was back to Woolloongabba to refresh for a private dining experience in speak-easy style bar, The Tailors.

Des and Kim had a special dance moment on their big day. Picture: Evernew Studios.

First dance song? You and I, John Legend

Honeymoon? We spent six days each in the Maldives and Singapore. As beautiful as our overwater bungalow was, the highlight was actually our time in Singapore. The food was absolutely incredible and we were spoiled with a complimentary club room upgrade at Marina Bay Sands, which included breakfast, lunch, high tea and cocktails every day!

Any unique or surprising details about your wedding? Des and brothers Evan and Felan performed a surprise three-minute choreographed RnB/hip hop dance routine to a mix of four songs – Rocket covered by Travis Garland, No Guidance by Chris Brown/Drake, 34+35 by Ariana Grande and finished off with Everybody by Backstreet Boys. They had been practising the routine, choreographed by Felan, in secret for about six months. Everyone was caught by surprise and it really set the mood for the amazing party atmosphere we wanted to end our special night.

What was the standout moment of the day? Saying our vows and committing to each other in front of our nearest and dearest family and friends.

What would you do differently? Allow some additional time to get more photos.

Desmond Leong and Kim Nguyen married on August 20, 2022 at St Stephen's Cathedral. Pictures: Evernew Studio.

What would you spend more or less on? If we had a larger budget, we would have loved to have invited extended family and more friends and colleagues.

One thing you wish people told you about planning a wedding? We were one of the last ones in our friendship circles to tie the knot and we got so much advice, which we leant on as we planned our wedding. The most important and frequent advice we received from our friends was just how quickly the day will pass, and to just remember to take a breath and really savour the intimate moments between us.

Best advice for other couples planning a wedding? Plan, plan and plan some more. Then on the day, sit back, roll with anything that comes up and enjoy the best day of your life!

Did Covid affect your plans? We planned one-and-a-half years ahead hoping the pandemic restrictions would ease and there was a new normal with Covid. Luckily, it all worked out.