Bride Screams — Blindsided By Country Singer During Couple's First Dance

Sep 09, 2021 by apost team

In 2016, Melissa Baker got the surprise of her life on the biggest day of her life when the first dance with her groom, Brad Hewitt, was interrupted. Little did she know that her new husband planned it all to surprise her with a live rendition of “Like There's No Yesterday” by their favorite artist, Mark Wills.

Baker and Hewitt tied the knot on March 12, 2016, at the Old Courthouse in downtown Cleveland. It was presumably the happiest day of this bride's life. She and her groom had already said their wedding vows in front of their closest friends and family members, and they were about to participate in the traditional first dance at their lavish wedding reception.

As they patiently waited for the music to start, you could probably feel the excitement in the air. 

A joyful tear might even form in your eye as you watch the video. They come together and begin swaying as the music starts. All of a sudden, with the sound of a scratching record, the music stops. The dancing also stops, and the bride looks toward the DJ booth to see what has happened.

The DJ apologizes and explains that there is a keyboardist and that they can still do a "live version" of the song. The bride seems satisfied enough, as the groom slyly smiles. The stage lights up, and Wills himself begins singing his song “Like There's No Yesterday.” The bride, with her back to the stage, once again begins swaying with her groom. He kisses her lovingly. As they turn and she begins to face the stage, she gets the surprise of her life.

She screams upon recognizing Wills and jumps back, obviously shocked and elated. Upon rejoining her groom, her eyes light up and fill with tears as she realizes that Wills is at her reception to sing to her. She figures out her husband is responsible, and she hugs him close, tears of joy falling uncontrollably.

If you are anything like us, these types of amazing surprises are both uplifting and inspiring. The thoughtful planning and effort involved should give you a solid sense of the love the groom has for his new wife. Her appreciation for him is evident as she adoringly gazes at him.

After the song is over, the bride and groom get to meet with Wills. We are told he will be back to sing more of his songs throughout the evening. Surely, there is no greater gift for the couple.

Mark Wills is a respected country artist who was inducted to become a member of the prestigious Grand Ole Opry in 2019 after having released seven albums since he kicked off his career in 1996. According to AllMusic, the singer’s eponymous debut album was well-liked by critics, even if it didn’t earn him the massive following that some of his peers — like Tim McGraw or Clay Walker — have. The singer grew up in Blue Ridge, Georgia, where he played in metal bands as a teen. But as Wills aged, he took a liking to country music, specifically a more traditional brand of country-pop. His newfound interest eventually led him to win first place at the Buckboard Country Music Showcase, which led to him securing a spot at the Buckboard club.

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From then on, Wills played the venue five days a week — until Carson Chamberlain and Keith Stegall saw talent in him and helped the young man sign a deal with Mercury Nashville.

Wills’ most recent album is “Looking For America,” which came out in 2011.

“Not everything on Looking for America is a total gem, but even the songs that fall short of exceptional are at least decent. And all things considered, Looking for America may very well be Wills' most memorable and inspired studio album — at least as of 2011,” Alex Henderson of AllMusic wrote in his review of the album. Although Wills hasn't released a new album since then, he will be on tour in 2021 and 2022.

In any case, both Baker and Hewitt are clear fans — and Wills’ surprise arrival clearly seemed to make their wedding one they will never forget.

Baker, who is a former Sports Illustrated model, regularly updates her Instagram with photos of what seems to be quite a happy marriage to Hewitt. And in the four years since their wedding, they’ve had two kids!

In a Father’s Day appreciation post from 2021, Baker writes, “Happy Father’s Day to this man right here! I could go on and on for hours about this wonderful, loving, hands on daddy but I try and make sure he knows every day. All I can say is watching you be a daddy to our kids is the best thing I have ever watched. The way they adore you is pretty awesome. You are so beyond loved and appreciated. We love you Daddy.”

In the more than five years since Baker and Hewitt’s unforgettable wedding, it seems that their love has only grown stronger.

What do you think of this wedding surprise? Who would you want to make a surprise appearance at your wedding? Let us know — and be sure to pass this story on to friends and family members.