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Show MyWeberMedia.com| August 28, 2020 | 05 DURING COVID-19 es s Jon bert y Ro Emil Maren and Mat With all of the changes in numbers, catering and services, Roberts Jones had to consistently swap plans all the way up to the wedding day, but she made it through. She found a venue with plenty of space inside and out to allow for social distancing, with workers consistently cleaning and guests wearing masks. She said one benefit of coronavirus was that the lack of school and work made it easier to completely focus on wedding planning without distractions. “Honestly, I loved planning my wedding,” Roberts Jones said. “Rolling with the changes was difficult sometimes, but I usually tried to turn it around and make it into something positive.” Though she at first felt cheated, and though some of her close relatives from Oklahoma were not able to make it, Roberts Jones still made the day into the wedding of her dreams. For WSU student Mitchell Burke, and his wife, USU student Jaidin, the experience had some similarities. Engaged near the middle of April, they knew about coronavirus, but the news reports and CDC guidelines were all over the place and changed too much to know anything for certain. “Our plans seemed to change on a daily basis and it felt like we had no control over anything that was going on,” Burke said. Originally having planned a large celebration for their August wedding, the Burkes had Meghan Beatty t Davis to cancel their luncheon and only held a small reception for family and the wedding party, with a drive-by reception for everyone else. Despite the unexpected challenges these couples faced, they all found silver linings in their situations. Burke said it was nice to tone down some of the big wedding traditions that he found excessive, and it saved them money. Davis found it special to enjoy a wedding without the restraints of social expectations. “It wasn’t about the party or the honeymoon or even our family,” Davis said. “it was just about us getting married and starting a life together.” These challenges also helped the couples grow closer together as they helped and supported each other. “Honestly, after being married, things don’t really feel like they have changed much aside from being together more often,” Burke said. “We really were able to see how we both react during stressful situations out of our control, and I think that’s a major plus side to all of this.” The unique circumstances made for unique experiences in an already unique year. “Would I wish a COVID wedding on anyone? No. Was it perfect and special for what it was? Yes. I honestly wouldn’t have had it any other way,” Davis said. “It’s just added so much to our story.” Comment on this story at signpost.mywebermedia.com |