Wed in a pandemic
Kenzie Webb, Contributing Writer
Many aspects of life have changed in 2020 because of the pandemic, and weddings are no exception. The normal stresses of a wedding are amplified through COVID–19 mandates and safety measures.
The anxiety surrounding common wedding decisions like the guest list, food and venue are all enhanced this year. These issues combined with an overarching uncertainty for what life will be like when a bride and groom’s special day arrives can cause an already stressful situation to seem impossible.
Everyone involved in weddings this year is seeing some major changes. Wedding planners, grooms, brides, bridal party members and attendees are all seeing differences from “typical” weddings.
Johna Owen, a North Greenville University graduate who works to direct and plan weddings for a wedding coordinating business, has seen many changes in the weddings she works this year. One of the biggest changes is in the attendance of wedding guests. Owen said, “I have seen several ‘COVID’ weddings of about 50 or fewer people.”
Despite the large cut in typical wedding sizes, Owen maintains that small COVID weddings can be just as fun. She said, “it just proves you don’t need tons of people to enjoy your big day.”
Many brides and grooms are making the most of the uncertainty by keeping a positive outlook on their wedding day. Jack O’Leary proposed to his fiancé in May of 2020 and is getting married in March 2021.
While he acknowledges the stress that comes along with uncertainty for potential changes in the coming months, he retains his positive outlook through an optimistic perspective. Jack O’Leary said, “Even though there is a pandemic going on, it is important to keep each event and thing in perspective. No matter if a public ceremony occurs or not, I will still be marrying my fiancé which is the most important thing, and other things are secondary.”
O’Leary’s faith plays a major role in his ability to stay positive. He said, “All things happen for a reason and [are] in God’s plan and [there is] no need trying to overpower that, but rather trust in Him and believe that His plan is better than your expectations of a ‘good outcome.’”
Many weddings this year are taking place in unconventional ways. Kayla Gibson, a 2019 NGU graduate, was a bridesmaid in a wedding this summer. She emphasized the unusual nature of the wedding because she said it was actually “the bride and groom’s ‘second wedding.’”
The wedding Gibson was a part of was originally scheduled for earlier in the year. The “first wedding” took place with only family and the bride and groom present. The “second wedding” involved the bridal party, more family and friends.
With the unknown certainty of what will be going on in the world in the coming months with projected spikes in COVID cases at the beginning of 2021, brides and grooms getting married next year are trying their best to have their day be special and also safe.
Madison Prince, whose wedding is scheduled for May 2021, has two plans for her wedding because of COVID-19. Prince and her fiancé have a normal “dream wedding” plan and a condensed “COVID wedding” plan. Prince said, “Of course I want everyone there, but that may not happen, so I’m trying to focus on the positives rather than the negatives.”
Tom O’Leary has a relaxed outlook for his wedding next year. He said, “my outlook has been focused on just accepting it for what it is and planning around it the best we can.”
In addition to the cut downsize of weddings, traveling may pose an issue for wedding attendees. Tom O’Leary said that something he and his fiancé have had to think about is travel plans for family and friends flying in for the wedding. Tom O’Leary remains hopeful that “the airports do not shut down again.”
Wedding food is also seeing necessary changes because of the pandemic. Jessica Spoden has served food and worked to cater many weddings. Spoden said that this year catering is different than normal.
“We are not doing any buffet-style food to avoid having many people touch the serving utensils. The cake is also being done differently. People usually swarm to it when it’s cut, but that just can’t happen,” Spoden said.
With all of the confusion and stress this year has caused, it is important to be able to look on the bright side. Being wed in a pandemic is not something brides and grooms plan for, but through careful planning and adjustments weddings can still be fun and safe for all attending.
