Wedding during the pandemic beautiful despite the circumstances

Weddings in 2020 are vastly different than what everyone thought they would be. Brides and grooms are having to make some difficult decisions about what to do regarding their wedding. Specifically, is a wedding during a pandemic a good idea?

Brittany and Ethan were one of those couples. They had been planning their wedding to be on May 2, 2020, at their church in Geneva. They booked the area county fairgrounds for their reception.

When reality set in that their plans were not going to happen, they had to make a decision. It’s the same decision countless engaged couples are being faced with this year. Should they cancel or postpone the wedding or go forward with it anyway.

Brittany and Ethan decided to go forward with it anyway. The goal was to be married, and getting married on May 2 would accomplish that goal. So they decided to get married on May 2 with only their parents present. Then they would have a big ceremony and party later.

Brittany and Ethan have known each other for five years. They met at a small college in Kansas. Brittany told me that when she realized she couldn’t have their big wedding as planned, she talked to her mother about having a small ceremony. They decided it was the right thing to do.

The couple had hired me to be their wedding photographer. When Brittany told me they were continuing with a short ceremony I told them I would be happy to photograph their bigger event later in the year or next year. I was convinced our governor would be issuing a mandatory stay at home order. When it became clear he was not going to do that, I offered to go to Geneva on May 2 to photograph their day. They gladly accepted.

The ceremony came off without a hitch. It was just like it was supposed to be, only with fewer people there. They even brought their dog, a Boxer named Apollo, to watch the ceremony. However he vegged out and didn’t pay much attention.

I photographed the ceremony and videotaped it as well as a complimentary service so they would have something to show those who couldn’t be there. I also set up my iPad and did a Facebook Live video for those who couldn’t be there. It has had 300 views.

I think it’s a great idea to keep the ceremony in place and maybe alter or delay the reception. It will accomplish the ultimate goal – that of being married.