Wendy Mazur said her “jaw hit the floor” when she saw her favorite pop singer, Goldford, walk out with his guitar during her first dance with Jerry Bedwell at their wedding in April 2022.
The couple considered the ballad “Upside Down” their song and had made it the theme of their reception at City Winery in Nashville. Their guest book, for example, was a custom puzzle of the “Upside Down” cover art.
Mr. Bedwell, 55, who works in information technology, surprised Ms. Mazur, 47, by hiring the musician to perform the love song live.
“I still get teary-eyed thinking about what Jerry did for me, making Goldford part of our wedding day,” said Ms. Mazur, a technology consultant and freelance writer. “What a loving surprise he gave me.”
Instead of opting for a simple recording for the first dance or a playlist for the after-party, some couples are splurging on surprise performers — Broadway stars, singer-songwriters, Grammy Award-winning acts — for their weddings, treating friends and family members to unexpected, meaningful experiences.
