Our Wedding During COVID

Where do I even begin? I start to type and my thoughts and emotions just go all over the place as this walk down the aisle wasn’t as straight and narrow as we thought. A topic I will speak more to later on The Modern Day Girlfriend but today I just wanted to highlight not only, what we are calling our civil ceremony but the idea that even if things don’t turn out the way you expected there is always a way to find a glimmer of light, hope, and love in the unpredicted.

As you may know, we had planned to wed this past June but due to the global pandemic, we had to postpone, with lots of hope we moved the whole wedding to September 2020 but again, we decided that for everyone’s safety and health we couldn’t or wouldn’t ask people to make that trip. This led us to the decision to move everything again to next year and as we thought about it, we kept asking ourselves what if we are in the same boat next year and have to move it again due to circumstances out of our control. We talked about it and talked about it. We as a couple decided that we didn’t want to base anything about our marriage on a “what if” but an I do. For us this how we viewed it, I know many other brides that are still planning their weddings for next year without doing a civil ceremony as we did. We just knew this was the right decision for us. We wanted to look back on 2020 with a glimmer of light in the dark times.

I won’t go on to much longer promise, I know you are here for the pictures and I can’t wait to share them with you as well as more blog posts filled with tips about planning a “wedding” during a pandemic but first I  have to give a big shout out to my mother, my sister/Maid of honor, my best friend Ashley/Matron of honor, and her wife, my dad, our officiant, and Neil’s family, and to all that wished us and sent us so much love on this day and every day.

I have to first highlight my mother, who if it wasn’t for her this day wouldn’t have been as perfect. Even though she is stepping on my dress below! 😉

She went above and beyond any mother of the bride duties. I truly don’t have the words to show enough gratitude, if you have ever met my mom, watched my mom on tv, been to a party of hers you know every last detail is taken care of with the utmost amount of perfection and done with such love and joy. She is truly incredible.

Next, I have to thank my sister, Alex who has always always always showed up for me.

She has been my rock, my best friend, my partner in life. She helped create the most magical moments during the day and kept me laughing throughout. If you know my sister, you know she may be the funniest person on this earth. Getting married, I was scared that it would feel like we were leaving a part of us behind but it actually made our bond stronger and I am so blessed that Neil and Alex love each other. I now feel I have two extensions of myself than just one.  Neil respects and understands the relationship we have as he as the same with his brother, who big shout out, came out to be there for his brother, and to celebrate us. Love you, brother John!

Next up, I truly don’t know where I would be without my best friend Ashley, through everything she has always been there, and I for her.

We have faced a lot together in our 19 years of friendship. However, one of my favorite moments was watching her marry the love of her life, Samantha. I think it is safe to say one of her favorite memories of our friendship is being able to watch me marry mine.

If our children were to ever ask me, how have you two stayed friends for so long, I would say, ” We have always and will always show up for each other. Whether that’s a call, a text, a 3-hour drive, ALWAYS ALWAYS show up!”

               

Ashley and Samantha, showed up on this day like they do always but boy was their love truly felt. I mean I truly have no words, they both went above and beyond the call of duty. From making sure every last strand of hair was in place. They made sure Neil and I enjoyed every last second, we are blessed to do life with them!

To my dad, thank you for putting up with a house full of women and loving us as individuals but wrapping your arms around our entire family, always being the protector and our biggest fan. Sorry, I don’t have a better photo, this moment meant everything to me and the memory will live on longer than a photo!

             

Neil knows, I never dreamt of a perfect wedding but I always dreamt of my walk down the aisle with you. Having this memory with you, I will carry in my heart forever. It was one I waited for my whole life and I feel so blessed to have had it and hopefully have again next year. I am very lucky to always be your baby girl.

Okay, last ish shout out and next comes pictures, thank you to our officiant Rich, who was there the moment we met, we couldn’t think of a better person to marry us, you saw the connection from the start. To Neil’s parent’s thank you for giving me your son and for loving me like your own and to my brother’s thank you for always loving me, protecting me, and welcoming Neil into our family from day one. Thank you to the bridesmaids that called, texted, facetimed, sent gifts your love was so felt that day I can’t wait to be able to celebrate with everyone safely!

LAST SHOUTOUT TO TATER TOT FOR BEING THE REAL MVP! 

 

NOW TO SOME PHOTOS, I HAVE MORE BUT BOY THAT WOULD BE A LONG POST! It is really weird to think I will be having all our wedding festivities and have our “wedding” after being married but hey it’s 2020 anything goes!

 

OUR FIRST LOOK

Cake and of course COVID individual soaps and sanitizer 

Surprised Neil with a video from all his groomsman wishing him luck 😉 

THE CEREMONY

My dad surprised Neil with a gift, which I had no idea what it was but it left me making this face.

     

THE VOWS 

US IN A NUTSHELL 

THAT MOMENT 

NOW TO THE CELEBRATION ( SAFELY)

             

      

OKAY ONE LAST SHOUT OUT BUT IT IS TO YOU!!!! NEIL AND I CAN’T THANK YOU ENOUGH FOR THE CONTINUED LOVE AND SUPPORT YOU HAVE SHOWED US, WE FEEL IT AND WE HONOR IT! THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU! 

Florals: Unique Florals 

Makeup: Online Class by Blushington

Veil: Bhldn 

Cake: Frost it Cakery 

Shoes: David’s Bridal.

Tater Tot’s Dress