2020- Every little thing is gonna be alright!
2020 was looking to be a pretty incredible year. We had made the decision this year to reduce the number of weddings we were shooting to a more manageable number of 30. We had 30 AMAZING couples lined up and ready to go for 2020. Seriously, these couples are the best. I’m SO excited for their big days and all of their ideas and plans they have in store. We weren’t set to start until April- so even when this ‘Corona’ word starting coming up in March- I didn’t worry at all about how it would affect the wedding season for any of us. Boy, was I wrong:(.
My poor couples. My heart just breaks for them. Granted- my heart is breaking for everyone who is suffering loss during this time. Graduations, proms, new babies being born, people in nursing homes, just so much sadness. But my heart is SO much with my couples, their families, and my fellow wedding vendors. SO many people have asked me what my couples are doing. What my wedding vendor friends are doing. How are we all doing this?
Just as everyone is, everyone is handling it in their own way, and in the best way they know how! And I absolutely am not here to judge- but be a support, a listening ear, and a kind heart as my couples navigate this road of what’s to come for their big day. Some couples have opted to postpone completely until 2021. Some couples have opted to keep their original date and do a small, intimate ceremony in their backyards with only their immediate families and then celebrate with guests and friends at a later date. Some have reserved back up dates but are holding out hope that their original plans come into fruition. I can’t even imagine the stress and worry that have gone into these seemingly endless conversations.
My two cents in this all- just remember at the end of the day, you’ll get to be married to the love of your life. I tell brides this almost every.single.wedding I shoot- covid or not:). Things are bound to go a little awry the day of a wedding anyhow. It’s the nature of the beast. And when brides start to lose it- I always remind them- hey, at the end of day, if you’re MARRIED to your love- we did what we came here to do:). The rest is just details. That’s where my heart is with this current pandemic. Whatever, WHATEVER you decide to do- so long as you’ll still end up married, you’re right where you’re supposed to be.
I did shoot a small, intimate ceremony this past Saturday. The bride and groom opted to get married in her backyard with their families present. It was such an emotional ceremony. EVERYONE cried- yours truly included. The message of the officiant was so simple- yet so profound. He acknowledged that this ceremony probably wasn’t the one of their dreams, or even of their plans. That the situation was out of their control. But that their LOVE had brought them to that place and that time, and truth be told, it was EXACTLY how God wanted it to be for them. And if their love could navigate them through this- it would surely be there for them in the future of their marriage.
To my 2020 couples- my heart is with you. I can only imagine the disappointment, fear, and sadness you’re experiencing. But I promise you. When the day comes (and it will!)- even if it looks different than you’d planned, it will be incredible. And it will be oh.so.special. Because truly- the BEST part of the wedding day is the moment when you look into each other’s eyes and deliver your vows. Nothing at that moment matters but that person standing in front of you. And how lucky you are that you found them! And I can’t wait to be there with you:)