"In the midst of all the uncertainty, I am so thankful for the opportunity we were given to capture this special time in our lives.”, Stonly Baptiste Blue and Tamar Lucien Blue got married in the comfort of their home (and their cozy sweatpants!) didn’t prepare enough. So, if the restrictions and uncertainty of your original plans are keeping you up at night, it may be worth considering saying “I do” in the comfort of your backyard! Steena Anne Photography was on hand to capture the special moment. For more up-to-date guidelines, check the CDC and your state's website. “Above all else we got these two married on March 21st, 2020," recalls their photographer and videographer Kaylee LaMoine. It looked like that wouldn’t be possible anymore. I believe that when we love something—it grows, it evolves, it creates. keep you as stress-free as possible before your big day! After the wedding, we celebrated in the most intimate setting: the backyard of my childhood home surrounded by our immediate families, maid of honor … If you live in an area with more COVID-19 … If the area around your home is scarce when it comes to parking, consider asking your neighbors if their driveways and parking spaces can be utilized for the day. This was one of Forman's top concerns about wedding season, as COVID-19 rates in the U.S. vary widely by region. ", After COVID-19 halted their original wedding plans, the couple started re-planning from the beginning, changing the venue, buying new outfits, and deciding to serve their favorite Mexican food. Biancca Wallace was also present to document the couple's vows. ", On April 18, 2020, Julie Samuels & Benjamin Schlang said "I do" over Zoom at Julie's parents' home in Westport, Connecticut. "Having each other and the people who matter most gathered around us that day was special in a whole different way. No matter where or when your backyard wedding will be held, it is important to work through the “what if” scenarios. ", With that decision, the couple's asked Pamela Jahnke Photography and Thomas Blake Films if they'd be able to capture the ceremony and asked their families, scattered across the country, to join the ceremony at a socially safe distance or through, what the bride calls, "the magic of video call!" Editor's Note: Please note that since shelter in place guidelines vary state by state and have changed over the past few weeks, it's important to remember that these couples decided to do what they felt was best for them based on the individual guidelines of their state and the information available at the time of their wedding. “Against all odds, on March 21, 2020, I married my best friend after having to postpone all of our original wedding plans, including our honeymoon to Greece,” Johana says. make it easy on yourself and your guests by avoiding an emergency grocery store So much love for these two! Start by placing seating and tables six feet apart when possible. "It was heartbreakingly too risky to have our senior parents present," Johana admits. Putting in the effort to minimize your guest’s risk of getting sick is crucial to their comfort. On the other hand, California, Either viewpoint is completely valid and understandable, but this is a discussion that should be had between you and your fiance to decide what you both want. "We sent a Zoom link to our guests so they could live stream the ceremony," Audrey says. Create Make social videos in an instant: use custom templates to tell Not sure where to begin? Our 300-plus guest list shrunk down to just three. "We did not plan for it to be this way, nor did we know that when we woke up on March 20, we would be married by the end of the day," she admits with a laugh. Many venues limit what you can and cannot do when it comes to catering, whereas a backyard wedding allows you to customize your food options so you can be as creative as you’d like! By using Brides, you accept our. ", Sean McCabe and Laura Zhou married at the Orange County Magistrate on March 20, 2020, months prior to their planned ceremony on May 24, 2020. They had the best attitudes, the biggest smiles, but best of all, they had their wedding and made a memory. When is the right time to pull the plug on How to Plan a Backyard Wedding During Coronavirus, gathering restrictions vary from state to state, review this guide from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), 5 COVID Honeymoon Ideas for Couples During the Pandemic, Our Ultimate 12 Month Pre-Wedding Beauty and Health Plan, Wedding Disasters: How to Not Sweat the Small Stuff on Your Big Day, Our Top 10 Winter Wedding Dresses for an Elegant and Chic Celebration, 5 Ways To Personalize Your Wedding Dress Sleeves with Maggie Sottero. Then, check out our 5 COVID Honeymoon Ideas for Couples During the Pandemic! Carl is my husband and how this came to be is far from what we ever expected." says bride Raziel Fuertez, who married Jack Lettenmair in an intimate ceremony at home on March 21, 2020, and postponed their wedding celebration to March 20, 2021. will drink. By Kelsey Borresen 03/07/2016 08:28pm EST Created with Sketch. We get it, and we got you. Just the closest friends "We decided to stay strong and still have a small, intimate ceremony, surrounded by only our closest friends and family in Martin's grandparents' garden, which is his childhood dream to get married in where he grew up," she says. Whether your wedding was originally scheduled for spring and you've since had to reschedule, or your date is a few months from now but you're just not sure what to do, we've tapped planners, vendors, and other experts to help couples move forward. "We decided to up our wedding for super unromantic insurance purposes after layoffs," Amanda admits. Submit Your Love Story Video below tag #MaggieSottero so we can share! ", While they had bigger plans for their day, the couple says they "would not have wanted it any other way." There, the couple exchanged vows on stage, as guests looked on both from the safety of their cars and computer screens. Are you comfortable with guests wearing masks in your wedding pictures and videos? "After postponing our wedding celebration, we decided to get married anyway," Ruani says. Spending hours picking up is the last thing you and your new new-spouse will want to do the night of or day after your wedding. Can We Have a Civil Ceremony Now and a Traditional Wedding Later? It was all we asked for and more. "Nothing could keep me from marrying the love of my life, not even a global pandemic. So read on for our very best tips for an awesome boho-chic backyard wedding that says “Screw you!” to COVID-19. "Our wedding was nothing we expected but truly turned out to be the most beautiful intimate wedding! "We had a live stream set up so friends and family from around the world could join us," Robert says. When COVID-19 brought their plans for a "large southern style wedding to a screeching halt," Courtney Burgy and Blake Pine decided to marry at home in Atlanta on May 23, 2020. much food you will need, it’s always trickier to guess how much your guests 19 Charming Backyard Wedding Ideas For Low-Key Couples Totally relaxed, totally romantic. Canceling our original wedding felt tragic at the time but what we were able to plan and bring to life in 17 days of planning our pandemic wedding was truly a miracle. As time progressed, however, they began to plan a larger celebration—then the pandemic hit. COVID-19 made us realize that we don’t need a whole lot to have a special day. On June 21, 2020, Ashlee Barnett and Stacey Hughes said "I do" at an Airbnb in West Hollywood, California. ", On March 21, 2020, Hayley Lollar and Kyle Pacheco married in an intimate ceremony in Kansas, nearly ten years after they first met. You will be glad that you are left with more than you Their closest friends and neighbors “These two went through losing their original wedding venue due to being closed down just six weeks before the wedding and then through the difficult decision to postpone the wedding due to COVID-19, they truly had been given a tough hand through the wedding planning process but have been nothing but tough and stuck together the whole time," recalls their photographer Sincerely Jules Studio. "By not having extra vendors, our friends and family were able to pitch in and help set up that day." All Rights Reserved. "I even put my slippers on halfway through the day... it doesn't get better than that! are a few key variables to consider that will help you come to an agreement on Bri says with a laugh. If your wedding plans have been affected by the COVID pandemic, we can help you have a small, intimate wedding ceremony in your backyard. Others just want to have a wedding day that feels normal. And while Mattie admits the pandemic "has shifted their world at large," she says that she ultimately feels filled with gratitude. Even if there are no restrictions on these services now, that could change in the future. Our hearts break for those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. "We put together our ensembles last minute from things we happened to have in the garage. ", Sakile Lyles and Kamau Mitchell made it official in the backyard of the bride's parents' home on April 3, 2020—though, they had originally planned to marry on the beach in Tulum, Mexico. “We were optimistic for a while,” Ms. Subbiah said. At the end of the day, it’s about the two of us—and that’s worth celebrating every single day. "While in a spiral of emotions and tears and one serious conversation, Martin and I decided that there was no way we weren't getting married as planned." From South Africa to southern California, we spoke to 36 newlywed couples who decided to make it official ASAP, albeit with extra precaution and not exactly as they had originally planned. And while their weddings—like many couples forced to postpone or cancel amid the coronavirus pandemic—may not have looked as they had envisioned, their stories are heartwarming and inspiring nonetheless. are comfortable with the real possibility of having to cut down your guest list Ultimately, we’re looking at this as our marriage, but we still have our wedding to look forward to next year. From the very first day we met, we’ve had a unique story, so it’s fitting that this chapter starts off unique too. Since wedding planning is stressful enough "Our intimate civil ceremony gave us the chance to focus on only each other the entire day," Kristine says. And the most talked-about detail of the party? Lauren and Morgan intended to wed at a gorgeous mid-century modern hotel in their hometown of Chattanooga, Tennessee, but when COVID hit, they decided to elope in an equally as gorgeous park nearby on March 21, 2020. "I Planned My Dream Wedding in Italy...Then, Coronavirus Happened". Roxy of Love Is Blind to officiate the intimate ceremony. 1. "It was so touching to be thought of when there is so much going on in the world and everyone is upending their daily lives.”, At home in Longmont, Colorado, Kayce and Chico Grine said "I do" on March 20, 2020. "A week ago from today, Carl and I got married on the beach where our relationship first began," Mattie wrote on Instagram alongside a photo by Anna Elizabeth Photography. Don’t forget about other aspects of your wedding day that may be affected such as dance floor restrictions, hair and makeup salon closures, and bridal shop/alteration restrictions. "It felt sacred.". "In the end, everything worked out perfectly," they say. 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