‘Idol’ singer Durbin weds in Mount Hermon

“American Idol” rocker James Durbin wed his longtime sweetheart and helpmate Heidi Lowe at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, New Year’s Eve, in Mount Hermon.
Durbin and Lowe, both 22, are both from Santa Cruz, and after several months of planning, they decided on a simple candlelight ceremony close to home at the Mount Hermon Christian Conference Center chapel in Mount Hermon.
The Rev. Dave Burns, an accomplished musician and Mount Hermon employee, performed the ceremony.
The couple’s 2-year old son, Hunter, served as ring bearer. “Idol” alumni Haley Reinhart, Stefano Langone (best man) and Casey Abrams were among the 85 guests in attendance.
The ceremony was delayed by 18 minutes, however, because Abrams, who had driven up from Southern California, went to the wrong church. After several text messages, he arrived, and the ceremony began.
A reception was held at the Felton Community Hall following the ceremony. One of the highlights was when Geoff Tate, frontman for progressive metal band Queensryche, surprised the couple by performing one of their favorite classics, “Take Hold of the Flame.”
“They are an amazing couple, completely in love with each other,” Burns said several days afterward. “This was an amazingly fun wedding.”
According to attendees, Lowe’s mother and two of her six sisters were bridesmaids. Durbin’s two sisters, both in their 20s, walked down the aisle as flower girls.
The groom wore a suit with a purple shirt, while the bride wore a white strapless dress with ornamental diamonds on the front and cowboy boots. The bridesmaids all wore black dresses with cowboy boots.
The small chapel was lit by a candelabra and many tea lights, and Lowe arranged all the flowers herself.
Dale Ockerman, a keyboardist, guitarist and songwriter for the Doobie Brothers, put together the music.
Several musical elements added to the ceremony.
Durbin entered the chapel to “Gravity” by John Mayer, which he sang while walking down the aisle. Tammi Brown, a singer and songwriter with a recently released album, sang Etta James’ “At Last” as a solo as part of the ceremony.
In addition, the couple had a special time of prayer with their son.
The couple walked out to “All You Need is Love” by the Beatles.
At the reception, Durbin sang the Journey song “Faithfully” to his bride as they danced.
People Magazine photographed the wedding, and guests were required to check in all cellphones and cameras before the ceremony.
Peter Burke contributed to this report.