Did the Pandemic Pause or Cancel Your Wedding Plans? 6 Real Couples Share How They Adapted

Not even a pandemic could stop these couples from celebrating their love.

By: Jen Glantz

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How 6 Real Couples Adjusted Their Pandemic Wedding Plans

For so many engaged couples, the pandemic was the ultimate unexpected curveball thrown right into their wedding plans. Save-the-Dates had to be followed-up with wedding postponement cards, guest lists had to be edited, and plans had to be adjusted — sometimes at the last minute.

The lingering question of how long the pandemic would stick around caused many couples to feel confused and unsure of what kind of celebration they should have for the future, and when it would be safe to have it. Instead, some couples tossed their original plans in the air and decided to celebrate in an unplanned way instead.

Here’s a look at how real couples adjusted and adapted to tying the knot in their own unique way.

A Smaller Guest List for a Big Celebration

When the pandemic paused Lisamarie Monaco’s original June 2020 wedding plans, she found herself frustrated, but eager to plan a safe and small celebration on that date.

"We had to cut our guest list down to immediate family only. We decided due to the pandemic, we would rent a huge house and have our reception with our family and a few friends there, rather than a big venue [with] all the restrictions and guidelines," says Monaco. "It ended up being everything we could ask for and [we were] so very blessed we were able to share the day with our loved ones during such an unpredictable and frustrating time."

Keeping it Small and Carrying it Over to New Year’s Day

After 10 years with her partner, Amber Lee wasn't going to let the pandemic fully ruin her plans to get married in Puerto Rico.

"We had originally planned to get married on December 31st, 2021 in Puerto Rico with 110 guests. Because of the uncertainty of the pandemic, we have had to adjust our plans," says Lee. "We are now having an intimate ceremony on December 30th, 2021 in San Juan, PR with only 10 guests (our immediate family). Then, we're hosting a New Year's Eve Party in Puerto Rico on Dec 31st to celebrate with friends & family who are still comfortable traveling to Puerto Rico."

Married on an Island...a Kitchen Island

When Jami Baker Cook realized that her May 2020 wedding in San Francisco wasn’t going to happen because of the pandemic, she decided to keep her original wedding date, but completely alter all other plans.

"We wanted to stick with our original wedding date and make it official anyway, so we ended up picking up from our favorite pizza place in Miami (Lucali) and going to my parents' house to sign our marriage license," says Baker Cook. "It ended up being quite appropriate because my maiden name is Baker and husband's name is Cook...so a Baker and a Cook got married in a kitchen. Or we can joke that it was a private island — the kitchen island to be exact."

A Mardi Gras Drive-By Parade

When Louisiana couple Pete Byrne and Renee Barry had to cancel their 2020 wedding plans three times, they decided to do something creative instead.

"We ended up never having the big ceremony, but we did participate in a Mardi Gras drive-by parade where we decorated our house with the theme 'The Wedding That Wasn't' and used that as our celebration."

A Park Celebration

For some couples, the pandemic didn’t pause their wedding plans — it did the very opposite of that. Kate Sloan said that because of travel restrictions, getting married sooner rather than later helped her be closer to her partner.

"My partner and I accelerated our plans to get married because of the pandemic. Matthew lives in New York City and I live in Toronto, so we decided to get married during the pandemic so we could legally travel to see each other," says Sloan. "We ended up having a tiny pandemic wedding (us plus six friends) in a public park in New York last November, and it was beautiful."

Cruising Into Marriage

Some couples, like Kim Brown and her partner, didn’t have to change their date or their venue, they just had to make the tough decision to cut down their guest list instead.

"We did have to cut our guest list down quite a bit," says Brown. "Our wedding date was September 4, 2021, and fortunately, we did not have to move it. It ended up working perfectly because we got married on a small cruise ship. Our guest count was whittled down to 35, but it made for a more memorable and enjoyable night."

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: 15 Fall and Winter Wedding Trends for 2021, Should You Allow Kids at Your Wedding? 10 Questions to Ask Yourself When Making That Decision, Affordable Bridesmaid Dresses with Lots of Color Options

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Did the Pandemic Pause or Cancel Your Wedding Plans? 6 Real Couples Share How They Adapted

Related To:

Shop This Look

How 6 Real Couples Adjusted Their Pandemic Wedding Plans

A Smaller Guest List for a Big Celebration

Keeping it Small and Carrying it Over to New Year’s Day

Married on an Island...a Kitchen Island

A Mardi Gras Drive-By Parade

A Park Celebration

Cruising Into Marriage

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Did the Pandemic Pause or Cancel Your Wedding Plans? 6 Real Couples Share How They Adapted

Related To:

Shop This Look

How 6 Real Couples Adjusted Their Pandemic Wedding Plans

A Smaller Guest List for a Big Celebration

Keeping it Small and Carrying it Over to New Year’s Day

Married on an Island...a Kitchen Island

A Mardi Gras Drive-By Parade

A Park Celebration

Cruising Into Marriage