Cooper Alan Is Married! Inside the Country Star's Wedding to High School Crush Hally Williams Cooper (Exclusive)

"I’ve wanted to marry Hally since the 10th grade and now it’s official!" the "Never Not Remember You" singer tells PEOPLE

For Cooper Alan, marrying Hally Williams Cooper was a longtime dream come true.

The country star and his high school crush, both 27, wed on Saturday, Sept. 23 in front of 285 guests at the Grandfather Golf and Country Club in Linville, North Carolina — something Alan tells PEOPLE he's wishes for years.

"I’ve wanted to marry Hally since the 10th grade and now it’s official!" says Alan, who was friends with Williams Cooper in high school before they started dating in college. "I'm so happy to get to spend the rest of my life with my best friend."

"Stepping into marriage with Cooper is without a doubt, the joy of my life," says Williams Cooper. "Taking those sacred vows in front of everyone we love — but most importantly, in front of God — was so special to me."

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Alan and Williams Cooper's wedding was a three-day affair, kicking off Thursday night with dinner and drinks at the house of the groom's parents. The evening attended by their family and closest friends ended with a silent disco.

Friday consisted of a bridesmaids' luncheon for all the girls, while the groom and groomsmen played 18 holes of golf. Then there was a rehearsal dinner, followed by a welcome party at the beach pavilion featuring karaoke for all who came to celebrate.

The main event came on Saturday, where Alan and Williams Cooper said their "I dos" in a traditional Methodist wedding ceremony officiated by the Reverend Tamara Michelle Pollock, their childhood pastor.

"Grandfather is such a special place to us and an escape in so many ways, so the location was always a no brainer for us," the couple say. "We knew we wanted a traditional wedding that took place in a beautiful, outdoor setting, with all of our closest family and friends. And having Reverend Pollock officiate the wedding was such a holy moment. Taking those sacred vows with her officiating was such a gift."

Williams Cooper looked radiant in a Romona Keveza gown from Nitsa’s Bridal with a custom lace top. It was a design she says "perfectly" matched her lace veil, which was a sentimental hand-me-down from her mom, who wore the accessory when she married Williams Cooper's dad in 1981.

"It’s a classic and timeless look," Williams Cooper says.

The dress also transformed, with Williams Cooper removing the lace top after the ceremony for a strapless look for dinner and dancing. She later changed into a second look — a Bronx and Banco mini dress, which she paired with Lucchese Priscilla boots.

Alan, meanwhile, kept it classic all night long in a Notch Lapel tuxedo from Norman Stockton. He paired the suit with a white button-down shirt and black bowtie.

"We are both born and raised in Winston-Salem, North Carolina so it was super important for us to incorporate local businesses into our special day as much as possible," the couple say. "We registered with Schiffman's Jewelers and Southern Home & Kitchen, and found all of our special apparel through local retailers."

After walking down the aisle to Jeremiah Clarke's classic, "Trumpet Voluntary in D Major" (performed by Deans Duets), the pair exchanged traditional vows and rings by Deva Fine Jewelry before cementing their wedding with a kiss.

There were special touches throughout the day, too. The duo exchanged handwritten letters before the ceremony. And during, a close friend read scripture from the bride’s late grandmother's Bible.

Related: Actors Shaun Sipos and Lindsey Morgan Are Married! Inside the Epic Wedding Celebration in Texas (Exclusive)

The black-tie optional affair was organized by wedding planner Meris Gantt, owner of The Whole Shebang Events. She put together classic, late summer mountain soirée-themed event with a classic, warm aesthetic. The theme even carried to their save the dates and invitations, which were designed using a beautiful green palate.

"Since our wedding is nestled in the center of Grandfather Mountain, we definitely wanted to incorporate those elements into the weekend," the couple explain. "The vibe was very traditional, timeless and approachable, with an elevated sense of elegance."

Guests enjoyed a reception under a sailcloth tent adorned with gathered moss, glass accents, and glimmering candlelight to bring the mountains inside the structure.

They leaned into a colorful palette of late summer blooms (greens, pinks, oranges, yellows and purples) for their flowers, which were put together by Mason Clement Heistand from Millefleurs.

For the seated dinner, guests enjoyed a choice of filet or salmon. The classic tiered cake was provided by the Grandfather Golf and Country Club.

A band — The After Party Experience from Sam Hill Entertainment — kept guests dancing all night long. Olivia Suriano Photography and Dallas Wilson Films documented the fun throughout the event.

Alan and Williams Cooper got engaged in May 2022 after five years of dating. Alan popped the question in New York City, where they had their first date. "I’ve been waiting for this moment," he wrote on Instagram. "It’s always been you 💍 ❤️ Here’s to an incredible life together! I love you forever!"

Asked what they love about each other, Alan and Williams Cooper both sang one another's praises.

"Hally is the most generous, loving, thoughtful, and morally sound person I know," he tells PEOPLE. "I am so confident that the moral compass of our family will always point in the right direction because of her. She loves with her whole heart and always thinks of how others feel. Her decisions are guided by her faith. It is an honor to be her husband!'

"Cooper’s heart is unlike anything I’ve ever known," says Williams Cooper.. "He loves his people so so well and is kind to everyone who crosses his path. He is such a light and points people to the heart of Jesus in everything he does. I often find myself wanting to be more like him because he is all things good. I am so thankful I get to do life with him forever."

The two both agree they're excited for their future, including their "epic" honeymoon to Curacao.

"We get to navigate all of life’s ups and downs together as a team," Alan says. "We are going to have so many incredible moments as well as moments that pull us closer and make our love stronger. I’m just happy we get to do it all together as we build our family and create a legacy!"

Williams Cooper adds, "I’m most excited to do it all as husband and wife. I know we will experience joyous moments together and sometimes heartbreaking ones but I can’t imagine doing it all without him by my side."

Related: Singer Sam DeRosa Is Married! Inside Her 'Garden Romance' Wedding Ceremony in Massachusetts (Exclusive)

After their honeymoon, the Nashville-based couple will be traveling together, with Williams Cooper joining Alan's tour, which runs through the end of the year.

"I’m excited to travel the country with my wife and make a ton of memories," Alan says. "We are planning to really take in each city instead of just showing up and going to the venue. Many fun date nights ahead before some killer shows!"

"We are really looking forward to just being together whatever that looks like," she says. A lot of our time will be spent on the road so it will be fun to see more of the country together as newlyweds."

For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on People.