The Wedding Story of Garrett and Derrick Walker

Garrett and Derrick met on summer break from college. Derrick says, “Garrett went to a University (Grand Valley State University) one town over from where I grew up. When I came home for the summer, we met one night downtown Grand Rapids at a bar and hit it off. We actually spent all night long overlooking the Grand River talking until the sun rose. Since both of us were recently out of relationships, we decided to take it slow, hanging out every day over the summer until I returned back to school where we finally started dating. Then we dated long distance for three years until I started my Master’s degree in Chicago where we then moved in with each other.”

Being huge fans of Harry Potter, the two booked a trip to Harry Potter World at Universal Studios in Florida. Directly on the bridge overlooking Hogwarts Castle, Derrick proposed.

Garrett says, “I, personally, always dreamed of having cake on my wedding day, so that was a priority. Luckily, Derrick’s cousin Ashley referred us to a lady named Sue Heath who runs her own wedding cake company who made us a delicious tasting four-tier wedding cake that was beyond our expectations. We also have a talented friend, named Lynnae Meyers, who we always envisioned singing during our wedding ceremony.  On our big day she sang a beautiful version of ‘How Does a Moment Last Forever’ by Celine Dion that we will always cherish.”

Envisioning something natural and beautiful with indoor/outdoor features, the couple was drawn to John Ball Zoo in Grand Rapids. Garrett says, “The Bissell Tree House is a beautiful wood and stone ballroom within the zoo overlooking downtown Grand Rapids that has a full wrap around deck guests could go out and have a drink on. Since we decided we would be having our reception in Grand Rapids, we then searched for a ceremony location that would be willing to officiate a gay wedding. Thankfully we came across Fountain Street Church in Grand Rapids that was very welcoming, open to all of our ideas, and had a cathedral that was breathtaking to look at as you can see in photos.”

This couple also creatively infused Harry Potter details within their reception. Garrett says, “We wanted to incorporate some small nods to the series, especially since our Harry Potter engagement was so popular. We chose calla lilies as our boutonnieres as a nod to Harry’s mother. Before our wedding ceremony, our musician played some classical Harry Potter soundtrack songs on the piano and organ. At our reception, with the venue being on top of a large hill overlooking the city, guests had to ride in a red and black funicular, very similar to a train, from the parking lot up to the venue. My favorite item was that, after guests got off the funicular, they encountered a snake and an owl they could take pictures with. What guests (let alone a Harry Potter fan) wouldn’t enjoy taking photos with a snake or owl?”

What We Love

Garrett says, “I can’t imagine many people have an owl or snake at their wedding, so that is something I think guests will for sure remember. We also did a glass pouring tradition at our ceremony where we blended a variety of shades of broken, stained glass together to symbolize our families blending. You then send this mixture in to a company called Unity In Glass where they create a glass blown sculpture that you can keep forever to remember your special day. We are still waiting on our sculpture.”

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