Lilly and Garrett
Lilly & Garrett’s story started out as friends in their early years of high school. Several months ago Garrett was in Alaska when he heard Lilly was single and immediately made a call to her…The rest is history.
Preface
When we were asked by our neighbors to play for their daughters wedding, it was an immediate “of course”. When you have good neighbors or good people in general, you want to do anything for them. When we met with Lilly, Garrett and family what is typically a 30 minute conversation turned into 2 hours of us talking about their plans and vision for the big day.
Ceremony
The Ceremony Venue, The Lakehouse at Acorn Ridge, was near home so we were able to attend the Rehearsal to get a better “lay of the land”, if you will. It being only 15 minutes away was also awesome as it is rare that we do not have a considerable drive. The backdrop for Venue was a wide open lake with an incredible sunset. Garrett and Lilly’s parents and grandparents lead the ceremony procession to Story of My Life - Piano Guys…certainly a very fitting song. Following the families were the couples bridesmaids and groomsmen making their way down the aisle in support of the bride and groom to Stand by Me - Skylar Grey; probably the best remake of that song I’ve ever heard. Then, finally, came the moment everyone waited patiently for….The double doors opened giving Lilly her “movie like” entrance to A Thousand Years - Piano Guys escorted by her father. I do not have a good photo of the double doors, but something I must note….Lilly’s step -father personally built and painted the doors to give her that WOW entrance. Everyone in attendance, myself included, was left speechless with Lilly’s entrance. For their officiant, the family chose the pastor from their church, of which the family has a close relationship with…Which always makes the ceremony that much more personal, giving him the knowledge to share personal stories. When it came time for the Unity Ceremony, where a couple lights a candle or mixes sand, Lilly and Garret did something that we have never witnessed in our 20+ years in the business, they added dirt to a potted magnolia tree that will later be planted at their home. I haven’t thought about it before, but the symbolism is important to note; Lighting a candle and blowing it out is momentary, but think about a tree; Planted…Thats what marriage is…Planting, the first step, is the easy part, but the effort comes in with the nurturing and watering etc. Marriage, like tending to a tree, is a lot of work, however it will provide you with some of the absolute best moments of your life. At the same time Lilly and Garret were “planting” the tree Lilly’s step-father, Jody, played and sung Together by Josh Ward. He did a fantastic job! I really wish I had my recording gear….Note to self: keep recording gear with me. Our now married couple, Mr. & Mrs. Cooley, exited the ceremony to Signed, Sealed, Delivered - Stevie Wonder; Such a great uplifting track to set the tone for the occasion and it doesn’t hurt that everyone knows the song.
The Reception had an intimate setting. The dance floor was around a beautiful pool and guests could sit overlooking the lake while the sun set. Lilly and Garrett’s first dance was as magical as the sunset that was behind them and the song choice to fit. Yours - Josh Ward. Notice the trend? That song was a staple for them. Our Bride and Groom chose that song because “from the first time they heard the song, (they) KNEW it was their song. “ Lilly then danced with her father to Butterfly Kisses - Bob Carlisle (a song I’d all but forgotten about), and then danced with her step-father to Isn’t She Lovely - Stevie Wonder. Typically Garrett would have danced next however, our newlyweds had to take advantage of the fast setting sunset as the perfect backdrop to some very personal photos. (If I get my hands on a photo I’ll share what that sunset backdrop looked like).
“I’m sinkin’ down you lift me up
You give me shelter in the stormy weather
Even when I’m holdin’ you
You’re holdin’ me together”
Shortly after Sunset, Garrett returned to dance with his Maw Maw and Aunts to The Baby by Blake Shelton, such a powerful song. Following his dance, the couple headed upstairs for their cake cutting; the cake was gorgeous and adorned with a custom wooden tree topper and the new couples last name burned into their very own cutting board, both made by Lilly’s stepfather…what can I say, there is a lot of talent in that family! Now, time for the bouquet toss to the tune of Single Ladies -Beyonce. I must say that Lilly did a fantastic job, as I just knew someone was going to fall into the pool attempting to make the catch, but to my pleasant surprise, no one did. A song we have never played before for the Garter Toss was chosen; Yummy - Justin Bieber, laying out a modern pop beat to get the energy moving and did it!
The excitement quickly rose as Lilly and friends took to the floor. During our first few tracks, we received a lot of requests, showing that our group was ready to party. The Git Up, Cha Cha Slide and Wobble were among those requests. Some of the other tracks thrown on to keep them dancing was Ice Ice Baby, Footloose and even a requested Cotton Eyed Joe. Quickly becoming one of my favorites at weddings, Lilly and Garrett opted to have an Anniversary Dance…For those of you who don’t know, that dance calls ALL MARRIED people to the dance floor and throughout the song the DJ/MC will ask for people to leave the floor if they were married for less than a day, 5yrs, 10yrs etc. Until only 1 couple remains. (I should probably write a blog about the Anniversary Dance and why I love it so much- but that’s for another time). The song chosen was Colour My World by Chicago. One by one we called the off the floor, starting with our newlyweds of course. I kept chipping away at the years, getting quite close to the end of the track when only two couples remained, at which time the two couples drew in closer and began dancing together (the love of this family was deep). Finally, we ended up with our final couple remaining, Mike and Donna (Lilly’s Maternal Grandparents at 47 years and counting). Talk about some big shoes to fill!
Now, characteristically of DJs, we typically want to end on that energy crescendo with something at around 128 bpm with everyone on the floor. Their chosen last song was certainly an energy crescendo but with only 74 bpm, and slow dance song. I Wish Grandpas Never Died - Riley Green . It was the perfect moment. Nearly everyone there was on the dance floor dancing and singing this song, because it means something to them (all of us in fact)…We all have those loved ones that can no longer be with us and that’s a concept that unites us all.
Following that last song, the families and friends led our newlyweds off to celebrate their new lives together with a sparkler arch and everyone wishing them a bright future.
We wish nothing but the best for Lilly and Garrett and cannot wait to see what their future holds.
Congratulations Again, Mr. & Mrs. Cooley…the best is yet to come!!
An apple Music playlist of all music played at Lilly and Garrett’s Wedding.