On May 30th God really did immeasurably more than all we could have ever asked for or imagined. For seven months we had been planning our wedding day; however, two months before that day all of our carefully laid out plans were all up in the air with COVID. Three weeks before the wedding we completely changed our venue, cut our guest list down to 30 people, and changed all of our visions for that day. We had been praying for months for God to make a way, but with there still being a ten person gathering limit in effect and time running out to make changes we needed to make different plans. The day after we decided to move forward with our new plan, to our complete surprise the gathering limit was lifted. God had moved a huge mountain for us and at just the perfect time. We spent the next week quickly putting our new plan together for our wedding. To our absolute amazement we were able to still move forward with the original plan- with a few COVID changes. Never in a million years did I think I would need to make sure there was six feet of space between tables at our reception, or cut our guest list by 250 people, or have my brother and sister-in-law disinfect guest book pens after each person, or make sure that we had enough Germ-X available, or live stream our wedding on Facebook for all of our precious family and friends that couldn’t be there in person, or a million other things that screamed “You’re getting married in a pandemic”. But we did and it was certainly bittersweet.
The morning of the wedding was so calm and peaceful. My mom and I arrived early to get ready at The Barn at Bennett Flats, and Justin arrived later to get ready. One of my favorite moments from our wedding day was when all of our vendors arrived. Each and every vendor that we chose became family to us. When you get married during a pandemic and don’t even have a plan three weeks before your wedding, you need precious, understanding people around you. Our vendors were beyond amazing, and we couldn’t have asked for any better people.
When Justin and I finally got to see one another during the first look, it was as if time stood still and there was not a single camera around us. That will forever be my favorite memory of that day. Over the next couple of hours our precious photographers and videographers worked their magic taking breathtaking pictures of our families and wedding party that we will forever treasure. Justin and I had discussed that we wanted to do everything possible to make sure that when we looked back on our wedding day we didn’t see any COVID. Our precious photographer and videographer were made aware of this and they exceeded our wildest expectations. Looking back at our wedding pictures and video, you would never know that we got married in a worldwide pandemic with many restrictions and unusual circumstances and that is a true testament to their amazing abilities.
Our one desire for our wedding ceremony was to glorify God. Worship is so important to both of us, and Justin is on the worship team at church. We couldn’t think of a better way to glorify our sweet Father than to have worship at our wedding. So many incredible people played such huge roles in our wedding ceremony, and we will forever be so appreciative and thankful for them. The worship team that Justin plays with began our wedding ceremony by playing “Do It Again”. We had chosen that song because of its meaning to us, but in the days that lead up to the wedding it took such an even deeper meaning. Part of the song speaks about God moving mountains and declares that God can make a way when there is no way. During those days when we had no idea if we would get the wedding we planned, that was my prayer. God made a way for us to have our wedding, when there really was no way. The worship team then played “How He Loves,” my favorite song. During that song our families, wedding party, and my dad and I walked in. After my dad walked me down the aisle, he then married us. After the vows the worship team played “Faithful to the End,” and my heart exploded thinking about how faithful our good and loving Father had been to us throughout our entire lives but especially throughout the two months before the wedding. Being able to say, “I do” surrounded by our families and friends with many more watching online was a miracle and such a huge blessing.
At our reception, our friends that introduced us six and a half years ago told the story of the night that we met. Our first dance was to the song “Could Not Ask for More,” the song that we danced to the night that we met. As I stood there looking at my new husband, all I could think about was how God had done immeasurably more than I could have ever asked for or imagined and I absolutely could not ask for more. Looking around the room at all of the people that had braved a pandemic to celebrate with us was overwhelming and humbling. To think that three weeks earlier this would not have been possible. But God, who makes a way when there is no way and is faithful to the end, poured out His blessings on us and allowed us to have the most amazing day with all of our precious family and friends.
- Ceremony Venue– Cornerstone Church
- Reception Venue– The Barn at Bennett Flats
- Photographer– Nordic Photo Co.
- Videographer– Fractal Image
- Caterer– WM Grocery
- Cake– Taste of Eden
- Florist– Kathryn Anne Weddings
- Hair and Makeup– Courtney Yancey
- Dress– Bridal Bliss
- Suits– Men’s Wearhouse
- Bridesmaid Dresses– David’s Bridal
- Bride’s Ring– Diamond Depot
- Groom’s Ring– Revolution Jewelry Designs
by © Daybreak Media