If planning a wedding is “no walk in the park,” then what is planning a wedding during a global pandemic? Once I accepted that there were just certain things that were out of my control, our plans for eloping during a global pandemic became the easiest decision we’ve ever made.
Believe me when I say, there is nothing like a global pandemic to put your priorities in order. Now, to be fair, I was never the person to dream of a wedding. I wasn’t that little girl or teenager (or even early adult if I’m being honest) that knew the in’s and out’s of what her wedding would hold. In fact, I didn’t truly “believe” in marriage until well into dating my now husband (I love saying that word). So, I understand that dropping all of my expectations for what our wedding would hold was far easier for me than someone who DID in fact dream about this day their whole lives.
But, we did have a plan. We did research and put our time and our hearts into planning our wedding. It was always the plan for us to elope somewhere magical with a few loved ones. Then, have a giant party in New York later on for all of our family and friends to celebrate. We spent hours upon hours figuring out where we wanted to elope. Where would we stay? What hikes do we do while we’re there? We planned a week-long trip for 15 people. I found a dress that I truly think was made for me: perfect does not begin to describe it.
And then things changed. We went from Plan A to Plan D faster than I thought humanly possible. But, the more plans changed, the more our wedding became about “us.” It was less about where we were, what the backdrop would be, what grand hikes we would do, how we would decorate. It was about standing up in front of our loved ones and solidifying our commitment to each other. It didn’t matter where in the world we were.
In the end, I think it’s almost fitting that Flagstaff became the backdrop for our elopement. It has become our sanctuary outside of Phoenix. It is our favorite place to escape the summer heat: our favorite place to camp. And now we get to say that it is the place we pledged to love each other faithfully, through good times and bad.
Now that I am clearly a seasoned pro at eloping during a global pandemic, here are a few of my highlights I feel it’s important to share:
- I would elope with a small group of loved ones again IN A HEARTBEAT. I was able to spend time with each person and it never felt as if I was running ragged just trying to say “hi” to everyone. It was intimate. It was perfect.
- Our choices in food reflected what we love. We did not choose anything just to fit a certain type of mold. Our rehearsal dinner was put on from a local restaurant, Pizzicletta. They brought a mobile pizza oven to our Airbnb and cooked pizzas for us all night. Our wedding dinner was tacos and margarita’s. Yes, the bride and groom made their own wedding dinner. It was simple, delicious, and more importantly, reflected us.
- Laugh. When things go wrong, because they will, just laugh. I was halfway down the “aisle” (aisle= middle of a beautiful open field) when I realized I forgot to put my veil on. The videos that have come of that moment (and of my sister running down the street holding my veil) are some of the funniest moments of the weekend.
- Write down your vows. Not in your phone. Literally write them down. It is the most magical feeling in the entire world to hold my husbands promises to me, in my hands.
- Have a loved one preform your ceremony. Originally, my childhood best friend was supposed to preform our ceremony for us. But, since she is so close to making me an auntie, plans changed (maybe this was Plan C to Plan D?). My brother and sister stepped up for us in a way that still makes my heart overflow with love. My brother was ordained and he put together a ceremony that was thoughtful, insightful, and just downright so full of love. In the middle of the ceremony, my sister shared a few stories that had us crying, then laughing, then crying again.
All in all, our wedding felt like “us.” Plus, now we can say that even a global pandemic couldn’t stop our love 🙂
Yours,
Gabrielle
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