Bridesmaids and groomsmen are in unforeseen dilemmas.
They can no longer hear wedding bells in the near future and are looking for new and fast alternative ways to tie the knot.
Since March 15, the CDC remained steadfast in maintaining the cancellation of weddings until mid-May.
So it begs the question: How are people getting married with the various COVID-19 concerns?
Wedding plans for couples like Kassandra Abreu and M.C. Lawrence have been changed to a new venue: a backyard.
“Our plans are to get married on our original date of July in the church if they allow us or in our backyard and to have our family and friends over for our one-year anniversary,” said Abreu, “but we are planning on postponing our large reception.”
Lately, there have been many conversations about whether having weddings in the near future with only a dozen guests is irresponsible.
“Due to COVID-19 precautions we will definitely be inviting fewer people to our wedding. We want to ensure that our family and friends are safe,” said Abreu. “We were originally planning on having over 100 people at our wedding now we are hoping to at least have our immediate families present.”
Those newly engaged, like Adazjia Brent, are beginning to wonder whether they will see the wedding of their dreams in the near future.
“We haven’t been able to plan as much because all the vendors have been closed or can’t give accurate dates due to COVID,” Brent said. “We’re just staying put for now.”
Brent had always imagined she would experience the best parts of being engaged, beginning to end.
However, with only essential businesses staying afloat, engaged couples can’t go through the planning side of things.
But couple Debby Reeves and David Rivera didn’t let that setback stop them.
Although the two were planning to get married overseas before COVID-19 cancellations, they were surprised to celebrate their would-be marriage with something new: a drive-by.
All their friends and families came out honking and cheering for the couple, and did it on the day that they were supposed to get married.
“My heart is so full of love and joy…it’s beyond anything, it’s overwhelming love,” Reeves said.
Both Rivera and Reeves had put much thought to their wedding, but were heartbroken by what has now come to be. In the midst of this, they openly tried to keep an open mind.
But, coronavirus wasn’t going to stop them from perfecting “I do’s” on their special day, and it helped to see the overwhelming amount of support from their supposed-to-be wedding guests.
“There was a lot of positive feedback from our friends. I was heartbroken by the fact this is not going to happen today,” Rivera said, “But this is not something I expected, not even crossed my mind. I loved it.”
There is still speculation regarding what’s going to happen in the near future.
The added pressures are certainly testing couples.
Despite building pressures, they are trying to keep hope that tomorrow will bring them closer to the picture-perfect setting they have for their wedding.
“It’s been pretty upsetting and frustrating and I honestly I’m not sure what I’m going to do,” Brent said. “Although it’s sad, if anything we’ll just plan for later if we have to.”
“Maybe 2022? Who knows.”
Canyons News reporters Cristina Lombardo, Joey Neugebauer and Sasha Strater contributed this article.
