Five Palms - Pending availability

Wedding Rehearsal

Bluegrass Yacht and Country Club

Rehearsal Dinner

Five Palms

Wedding Day

Pre-Ceremony Music

Ceremony

Cocktail hour

Reception

Our Wedding

Dawna and Gary connected in November 1997, when AOL instant messaging was the most technically advanced connection method around. It was new on the scene and allowed a person to filter members by demographics and send a message to them. Dawna was a pharmacist in Jackson, Mississippi, and had just completed seven days of working the midnight shift, and was trying to stay awake to readjust to daytime hours. She was also about to begin working on her PharmD (Doctor of Pharmacy) degree, and wanted to know how to download and find documents to help her in her studies. She decided that she would go online and look for single guys in Nashville with computer experience. She didn't want to search locally for fear of being stalked. She previously lived in Nashville and felt that it was a good location to search. Gary was busy working that day coding computer programs at Bridgestone. AOL was active in the background, and an instant message greeting popped up. The technology or design at that point didn't have pictures on profiles, so we didn't know what each other looked like. Gary would respond to her instant messages as he was able while working, and at the end of the day, sent a message to her that he had to leave but could continue helping her after about 20 minutes when he arrived home. Their conversations continued, via instant messages, over the next several weeks intermittently, and they began to get to know each other without verbally speaking or seeing each other. They got to know each other's values, backgrounds, interests, and relationship status.In January 1998, Gary was attending a Wednesday night church series for single adults focused on Christian relationships and dating. After the weekly session, he would share his notes with Dawna. Gary invited Dawna to join him for one of the weekly sessions at his church in mid-January, and of course, at this point, her interest in him was piqued! She was able to do some schedule swaps and made the 6-hour drive to Nashville "to see about a boy she'd met online!" Their first face-to-face meeting was at El Chico Restaurant on Murfreesboro Road. Like every female best friend would do, Julie insisted that she join them for their first lunch to be sure Dawna was "safe." The rest is history!

Our Story

Photos

Stephen has been a friend of Gary's for many years and has ministered with him on several occasions with Powerhouse ministries and at home meetings.  Stephen and Gary meet every few months to solve the world's problems and support each other.

Stephen Cornwell

Nathan has been a good friend of Gary's since the day they met in September 2008. They have ministered together in various settings and have developed a relationship of deep honesty and similar love of depth in spirituality and the Lord.

Nathan Leavitt

James has become a great friend with Gary over the years and shares a love and focus of spiritual things focused on Jesus. Even though they are states away, they always enjoy visiting or catching up on phone calls.  James is also Dawna's cousin.

James Jacobs

Joe has been one of Gary's great friends for many years. They were neighbors at the same apartment complex in the mid 90's and worked at Bridgestone. They have biked many miles together and have also camped in the Sedona wilderness and hiked the Grand Canyon. Joe and Gary have been known to have a few deep discussions and Gary's glad to have someone like Joe to do that with!

Joseph Fareed

Kerry moved across the street from Gary and they quickly became friends.  They have helped each other with projects around the house and enjoy sharing conversation and activities together.  Kerry is a person that Gary knows he can depend on.  They always enjoy catching up and getting together. 

Kerry Beach

Shea is a friend that Gary met at church. They share similar interests in following God's plan for their lives and serving others. Shea does not let this world influence his walk with God.

Shea Hasenauer 

Meg is Dawna's baby sister, and although she is thirteen years younger than her, their personalities are so much alike, and they are very close.  She has been a huge help with wedding planning and has been a great resource and an encouragement to Dawna with many of the details involved in this exciting process.  It's an honor and a joy for Dawna to have her baby sister standing beside her as she say, "I do" to the love of her life!

Meagan Robinson

Kim is Dawna's little sister and is also her oldest friend!  They have so many amazing memories together, including living abroad in the Philippines when they were 2 and 4 years old.  One of their favorite shared hobbies is gardening.  Kim is an extremely loyal friend and always has Dawna's back.  Dawna is thrilled to have her sister standing at the altar with her on her wedding day!

Kim Rumery

Bec is also Dawna's little sister.  They have so many wonderful memories together, it's hard to choose just one!  Without a doubt, one of my favorites is the year she and Dawna were roommates after she graduated from Millsaps College and worked at Vanderbilt Hospital (in the SICU) with her, before she and Adam got married in 2006.  Dawna also loves being an active part of her nieces' lives and dance competitions every year!  It is an honor and a blessing to have all three of Dawna's sisters beside her on her wedding day, as she was for each of them on their special day!  

Rebecca Watkins

Helen and Dawna met when Dawna was a sophomore in HS and she was a junior.  They were on the cheerleading squad together!  She has been Dawna's best friend ever since!  They have so many sweet memories together, including Dawna being her maid of honor in 1990!  They make it a priority to reconnect and visit every time Dawna is home in MS.  It is such a gift to have Dawna's dearest friend here in TN to support her and to encourage her as she soon becomes Mrs. Gary Fee!

Helen Buchanan

Julie and Dawna met on Dawna's very first day of training with Kroger as a pharmacist in 1994 in Nashville, TN.  They have so many things in common!  When they met, they both had cocker spaniels as furbabies (Dexter and Samson).  Their love for dogs has always been a common interest.  Julie was the one who first introduced Dawna to flower gardening!  Dawna learned so much from her over the years about her favorite pastime.  Dawna can't count the number of nurseries they've visited over the years!  Although they no longer live in the same city, they're always able to pick up where they last left off in their conversations.  Julie has always been such a precious friend to her and has stood in the gap for her on so many occasions, offering unconditional love, support, and friendship through all of the good times and bad times of adulthood.  When Gary and Dawna met face-to-face for the first time in January 1998, Julie was the one who selflessly and very protectively insisted that she go with Dawna to meet "some guy she met on the internet," as she said! Dawna wouldn't be the pharmacist or the person she is today had Julie and she not become such amazing friends on the very first day they met so many years ago...but who is counting?  Dawna is so thankful to have her lifelong friendship and to know that she will be there, as always, right by her side on my wedding day, too!

Julie Coleman

Melissa and Dawna have worked together at Vanderbilt since Dawna started in 1999; however, their paths didn't truly connect until the dreaded COVID era.  Dawna always says that out of that terrible time in history, the only good thing that resulted is that she and Melissa quickly bonded and became best friends!  Melissa and Dawna are kindred spirits.   They have so many things in common!  Aside from both being the firstborn in all-girl families, and their professional interests, they also share a love for vegetable gardening, bird-watching, sourdough bread making, watching dance competitions, eating lunch together at work, and grabbing a burger or pizza (off-the-clock) when their schedules allow.  It is such an honor to have Melissa beside Dawna on her wedding day, and she's so blessed and grateful for her sweet friendship.

Melissa Ashley

Wedding Party

The hotel is new and the rooms are King and Double Queen. All rooms MUST be booked&nbsp;before Tuesday, May 19, 2026. After this date, the group room block is released to the general public and you will no longer have access to the special group rate. Breakfast at the Hilton Garden Inn is $11. Parking is free. There is a swimming pool and fitness center. There is also an onsite restaurant. The website button below is for reserving a room in the block. The website for the hotel's general information is:<a href="https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/bnagtgi-hilton-garden-inn-gallatin" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/bnagtgi-hilton-garden-inn-gallatin</a>

Hilton Garden Inn 

The hotel is new and is located adjacent to its sister hotel, The Hilton Garden Inn. This hotel is rated in the top 5 in the country for Comfort Inns! The rooms in the block are King and Double Queen. Parking is free. Breakfast is included. WiFi is free. The breakfast area provides a good place for people to visit during their stay. They have an Exercise room. Swimming pool is available with an included pass to the sister hotel, Hilton Garden Inn. All rooms MUST be booked&nbsp;before Tuesday, May 19, 2026. After this date, the group room block is released to the general public and you will no longer have access to the special group rate. The website button below is to book a room in the room block. Please let us know, if you need additional days before or after the existing block dates. The website for general information about the Comfort Inn &amp; Suites Gallatin is:<a href="https://www.choicehotels.com/tennessee/gallatin/comfort-inn-hotels/tn876?mc=llgoxxpx" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Hotel in Gallatin, TN | Comfort Inn &amp; Suites Gallatin - Nashville Metro | Maximize Your Vacation</a>

Comfort Inn & Suites Gallatin

Travel

Dress Code

The Nashville Visitor Center is located in the heart of downtown and is your go-to spot for exploring Music City. Receive expert advice, maps, tickets, special offers, and unique Music City gifts. Nashville Experts&nbsp;are available during business hours to answer questions by call or text and email at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:nashcvc@visitmusiccity.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">nashcvc@visitmusiccity.com</a>.

Nashville Visitor Center

Nashville's Honky Tonk Highway, located on Lower Broadway, is a row of honky tonks pumping live music into the streets from 10am to 3am.&nbsp;One of the best parts: it doesn't cost a thing. Meaning no cover charge. Meaning save your money for more important things like the tip jar! Because in Music City we understand music should be shared to all.&nbsp;Be sure to see the famous Tootsie's Orchid Lounge right next to the Mother Church of Country Music - Ryman Auditorium, the original Grand Ole Opry.

Broadway

Known colloquially as the “Mother Church of Country Music,” Ryman Auditorium began as the Union Gospel Tabernacle. Local entrepreneur Thomas Ryman built it as a permanent location for tent revival-style gospel meetings. The auditorium was also the site of secular gatherings like Helen Keller’s lectures, Fisk Jubilee Singers’ performances and WSM’s Grand Ole Opry. While a statue of Ryman is located outside this National Historic Landmark, a bronze tribute honoring Minnie Pearl and Roy Acuff is situated&nbsp;inside the lobby.&nbsp; Ryman Auditorium is a historic 2,362-seat live-performance venue and museum located at 116 Rep. John Lewis Way North, in the downtown core of Nashville, Tennessee, United States. It is best known as the home of the Grand Ole Opry from 1943 to 1974. It is owned and operated by Ryman Hospitality Properties, Inc.&nbsp;<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ryman_Auditorium" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a><a href="https://www.google.com/search?sca_esv=90f15cf6663bf97f&amp;sxsrf=ANbL-n74yonuVPJDQ5O73d2iAiNFWqtQrg:1772415105247&amp;q=ryman+auditorium+address&amp;ludocid=7133835491838936491&amp;sa=X&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjJl_jliICTAxWMwckDHRjIH5kQ6BN6BAhPEAI" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Address</a>:&nbsp;116 Rep. John Lewis Way N, Nashville, TN 37219Capacity:&nbsp;2,362 (1994–)Architect:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.google.com/search?sca_esv=90f15cf6663bf97f&amp;sxsrf=ANbL-n74yonuVPJDQ5O73d2iAiNFWqtQrg:1772415105247&amp;q=Hugh+Cathcart+Thompson&amp;si=AL3DRZELanY_V96Y0q8q1FLKlfOvBdnHgF7jIt9ftVkN5kp-lOeqtyR__sCJpFt4I700sFEb3CAq_hjtRgdIzkr4qWly7xcoA32oTyeu_WwGoTdxGP70MX4txbqUrU2dMp1zm9U4UaYiUTPZEESfXQpQWoYUTFOWzp2wbVbTy_SC-mS5v4CcKI_CJScecexT-F7p6fa4Ngso7-gNQJluBaFnHFiGAcg0hQ%3D%3D&amp;sa=X&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjJl_jliICTAxWMwckDHRjIH5kQmxN6BAhTEAI" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Hugh Cathcart Thompson</a>Owner:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.google.com/search?sca_esv=90f15cf6663bf97f&amp;sxsrf=ANbL-n74yonuVPJDQ5O73d2iAiNFWqtQrg:1772415105247&amp;q=Ryman+Hospitality+Properties&amp;si=AL3DRZEaipurC9pse1xO2aCwuJWfKA_Njx1c7Qs8ap9rx81jmukkmTe52-kBznSmRplNt_3aVdAA73m4owfjSpr6g4M8Q-rYMEjMEITDLBTHuNYEU_5kFh5ds9tTHow6are-UfMjw4CWqooiglAMrzd3t_lNbDmtL8TKkVvPpGWgVYnF385Il4ycdMbj358LpTuwaleV5AOgv9ZFpY8IEmcnodqTFRziCg%3D%3D&amp;sa=X&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjJl_jliICTAxWMwckDHRjIH5kQmxN6BAhVEAI" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Ryman Hospitality Properties</a>Opened:&nbsp;1892Area:&nbsp;43,560&nbsp;ft²Architectural style:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.google.com/search?sca_esv=90f15cf6663bf97f&amp;sxsrf=ANbL-n74yonuVPJDQ5O73d2iAiNFWqtQrg:1772415105247&amp;q=&amp;si=AL3DRZEaipurC9pse1xO2aCwuJWfKA_Njx1c7Qs8ap9rx81jmsw9slcDYjxr59ULxPZHBPCkX_8qBxAV1xqS9EgcDRqc0YKDZlYIQTkyVk6y6c88C3_YrehtH6hFqSRO9iy629Kq9T_E2LflYV5WykSu0ldHRPnaFZXanuqGOzHifdXVH_6PfP4%3D&amp;sa=X&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjJl_jliICTAxWMwckDHRjIH5kQmxN6BAhREAI" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Gothic Revival architecture</a>Nickname:&nbsp;Mother Church of Country Music&nbsp;<a href="https://www.trolleytours.com/nashville/ryman-auditorium" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">trolleytours.com</a>Phone:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=Ryman+Auditorium&amp;sca_esv=90f15cf6663bf97f&amp;sxsrf=ANbL-n6M4pcc82QxuD-SNvIqBp8mTkm_HQ%3A1772412811965&amp;source=hp&amp;ei=i9-kaYPmOKXfwN4P6tbmqQc&amp;iflsig=AFdpzrgAAAAAaaTtm50XltHH422ahdV8R0GBwlmsiaFP&amp;llpgabe=CggvbS8wNWpibg&amp;oq=Things&amp;gs_lp=Egdnd3Mtd2l6IgZUaGluZ3MqAggAMgsQABiABBiSAxiKBTILEAAYgAQYkgMYigUyCxAAGIAEGLEDGMkDMgUQABiABDIFEAAYgAQyBRAAGIAEMgUQABiABDIFEAAYgAQyBRAAGIAEMgUQABiABEjYKFAAWP4LcAB4AJABAJgBsgGgAbkEqgEDNS4xuAEByAEA-AEBmAIGoALJBMICChAjGIAEGCcYigXCAhAQIxjwBRiABBgnGMkCGIoFwgITEC4YgAQYxwEYJxiKBRiOBRivAcICDhAuGIAEGLEDGNEDGMcBwgIFEC4YgATCAgsQABiABBixAxiDAcICDhAAGIAEGLEDGIMBGIoFwgILEC4YgAQY0QMYxwHCAhEQLhiABBixAxjRAxiDARjHAcICCBAuGIAEGLEDwgIOEC4YgAQYsQMYgwEYigXCAg4QLhiABBjHARiOBRivAcICCBAAGIAEGLEDwgILEC4YgAQYsQMYgwGYAwCSBwM1LjGgB45LsgcDNS4xuAfJBMIHBTAuNS4xyAcLgAgA&amp;sclient=gws-wiz&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjck5PgiICTAxUtN94AHd9uGVoQgK4QegYIAQgAEA8#" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">(800) 733-6779</a>Reservations:&nbsp;<a href="https://party-request.tripleseat.com/venues/EABWVLvZ/?rwg_token=AFd1xnGo7snu-q80WZjxEbpJbVBR6IPxNNvd3-CQ6OMvBK40_PqEROp6WbDOptbXmuhhZpLSQcx7ZFvqePC0RY9XO2vEY01qfw%3D%3D" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">tripleseat.com</a>

Ryman Auditorium

Old Town Trolley Tours® has been entertaining and serving guests since 1980Unlimited hop-on &amp; hop-off as often as you like all day longAll our tours are 100% live in real time - No pre-recorded narrationThe finest, most highly-trained and knowledgeable guidesThe most popular stops on our Nashville tour include Ryman Auditorium, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.trolleytours.com/nashville/country-music-hall-of-fame" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum</a>, the Musicians Hall of Fame, Music Row, and Marathon Motor Works.

Old Town Trolley Tours Nashville

The Parthenon in Nashville is the world’s only exact-size and detail replica of the original temple in Athens, Greece.&nbsp; When Tennessee celebrated its 100th year of statehood with the Tennessee Centennial Exposition, Nashville took advantage of its nickname “Athens of the South” and built the Fine Art Building as a copy of Athens’ most famous building and the epitome of Greek classical architecture.

The Parthenon

It's free to walk through the Gaylord Opryland's atriums and gardens. You will be amazed with the magnitude and beauty of the gardens and seeing inside waterfalls and much more! To save money with parking, park for free at the north end of the Opry Mills Mall past the Grand Ole Opry as far north as you can park and walk to the hotel to the Delta Atrium from there. Be sure to visit all of the atriums!

Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center

The Hermitage is a National Historic Landmark and museum located in Davidson County, Tennessee, United States, 10 miles east of downtown Nashville in the neighborhood of Hermitage.&nbsp;The 1,000-acre (400&nbsp;ha)+ site was owned by President&nbsp;<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_Jackson" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Andrew Jackson</a>, the seventh&nbsp;<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/President_of_the_United_States" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">president of the United States</a>, from 1804 until his death there in 1845. It also serves as his final resting place.<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hermitage_%28Nashville,_Tennessee%29#cite_note-3" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">[3]</a>&nbsp;Jackson lived at the property intermittently until he retired from public life in 1837.

Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage

This is an entertaining, comedic approach to touring Nashville. Ride the pink bus and see some of the sights of Nashville, get a comedy show in the process and have an experience you won't soon forget!Watch this video to get an idea of what you will experience:<a href="https://youtu.be/bULJ2dLNunU" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://youtu.be/bULJ2dLNunU</a>

NashTrash Tours

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum is more than just a museum; it’s a vibrant hub of music history, creativity, and cultural heritage. From exploring our world-class galleries to delving into the storied craft of letterpress on the Hatch Show Print tour, and stepping inside Historic RCA Studio B—where legends recorded countless hits—you’ll immerse yourself in the sounds, stories, and artistry that have shaped country music. Plan your visit today and experience the magic that makes Nashville the Music City.

Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

Built in 1858, the Lotz House museum is a window into the rich history of the American Civil War. A few years after construction, the Lotz family home was at the epicenter of the pivotal Battle of Franklin. The Lotz House suffered structural damage from cannonball fire, and after the dust settled, it served as a hospital for both sides of the War. To this day, visitors can see evidence of the battle inside. Come visit an American Civil War museum rich in history.

Lotz House Museum

Home to the world-famous Grand Ole Opry, this 4,000-seat theater is also the site of television specials, concerts and other events. The Grand Ole Opry House also has several private event options. Experience an intimate dinner on the Opry stage, utilize the theater for a general session or create an exclusive Opry show just for your group.

Dawna & Gary

Dawna & Gary

Travel

Hilton Garden Inn

Comfort Inn & Suites Gallatin