Social Distancing Weddings, Micro-Weddings, and the emergence of the “Marry Now, Party Later” movement are here and they are here to stay for a while with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.  Many couples are choosing to keep their original wedding dates for an intimate ceremony and portrait session with their closest friends and families, all while staying within their local guidelines.  Adapting with technology, brides and Grooms are using Zoom to welcome virtual guests and it’s pretty inspiring.  All in all, these weddings are exactly what we need right now.  More of what matters, and less of the noise that a large wedding often carries with it.

Taylor and Ben kept their original date and opted to have a small backyard ceremony with their loved ones.  Next year, they will have a reception at their original venue with all of their guests in attendance.  Taylor explains exactly how she planned for her micro-wedding during the COVID-19 pandemic and the seemingly daily changing rules and guidelines.

“While it was disheartening, making the final decision felt so, so relieving. It was the hardest decision but a huge weight was lifted afterwards. One of the challenges was definitely letting all of our guests know but with the help of family, we made it work. Choosing who would be at the ceremony was actually an easy decision for us. It was immediate family, parents and siblings. I’m extremely close to my entire family but for us, knowing we needed to keep it small, we knew we just wanted parents and siblings." -Taylor

Taylor's Dad, who lives in California, has been battling some serious health issues during the wedding planning and it was heartbreaking that he may not be able to travel for the wedding.  Technology, and more specifically the Zoom app allowed him to attend and it was very emotional moment when he saw his daughter in her dress for the first time. 

Taylor goes on to say "During the planning process, and the months leading up to the wedding (even before it was postponed), this was always a difficult topic of discussion. Of course I wanted him here more than anything but given his health, the virus, and his upcoming surgery, we knew it wasn’t safe. Having him on zoom actually ended up being even more meaningful to me because a few months ago, I didn’t even think he’d be alive to see me on my wedding day so seeing him on an iPad was a miracle. He still got to see his little girl dressed up and that’s all I could ask for. "

"Now thinking to next year, it’s hard for me to imagine beating this day. I know we will be so busy but it’ll still be amazing. We plan to do the ceremony again and then just a fun reception with all the traditional wedding activities. Challenges of course will just be planning the wedding sort of all over again but I’m up for that challenge. It’s also exciting knowing we will be celebrating twice!" -Taylor

"While it wasn’t what we planned, it was honestly more than I could’ve dreamt. I spent so much quality time with my immediate family that I know I wouldn’t have been able to if we had our big wedding. After our first dance, we ate some pizza, drank some margaritas and sat around the fire- what more could I have wanted? This situation was the greatest blessing we were given. This wedding will forever be the most magical day of our lives. There’s always a silver lining to any situation. Our wedding day was even more than that, it was best day of my life with the most important people." -Taylor

"All of our vendors were absolutely amazing and great to work with. However, our venue wasn’t willing to refund our deposit which really made the decision for us to have the wedding again next year.  But In general, all of our vendors were awesome and so willing to work with us." -Taylor

After the intimate ceremony, some of Taylor and Ben's friends arrived and formed a large social distancing circle and welcomed the new couple for their first dance. It was really something to see. 

Oh yeah, Father/Daughter Zoom Portraits are now a thing!

I hope this blog helps couples looking to still have their dream wedding during the COVID-19 pandemic.  There are options, don't be afraid to explore and create your own new traditions.

We will never charge you a fee to move your wedding date due to these types of issues. For booking and inquires: www.modernfotographic.com

Photography: Dave Noonan

Wooden Flowers: Wood And Word Blooms

Future Wedding Reception Planner: EngagedCT

Future Wedding Reception Venue: Talcott Hill Estates

Officiant: - Libby, Taylor's best friend