A Modern Wedding at W Dallas Victory Hotel in Dallas, Texas

Wedding crashers are not usually welcome guests, especially after waiting 14 years for a wedding day. But for Chris Lindsey (44 and a flight attendant, right) and Scott Lindsey (50 and a pharmacist), their unexpected guest was the surprise of a lifetime. After being selected as the first Dallas, Texas, couple to get married as part of the Turn It Up for Change campaign, led by W Hotels in partnership with the Human Rights Campaign, they turned over the planning to JN Production and the John Doe planning agency for a contemporary fete at the W Dallas Victory Hotel. A palette of purple and blue highlighted the day, with chic, edgy flowers by Kindt Events that suited the modern atmosphere. Following a processional with their four children, Chris and Scott recited their own vows at an intimate ecumenical ceremony. Just as they were pronounced husband and husband, Chris and Scott received a congratulatory video message from Jennifer Hudson! Addressing the newlyweds directly, Hudson said, “Today is your day, so I hope you all are having the most amazing time, and I wish you nothing but love and the best. But y’all hold on, because I’ve got one more thing.” With that, the curtains dropped and Hudson burst onto the stage with a special live performance of her song “I Still Love You.” (The surprise was all her idea!) While Hudson’s sweet performance and meet and greet with Scott and Chris afterward was definitely a highlight, their entire wedding day was immensely meaningful for their whole family. “The most important thing was that our four kids were there,” Scott says. See the details below, complete with snapshots of Hudson’s rocking performance, captured by Perez Photography.