ST. PAUL - While many couples have decided to postpone their 2020 weddings due to COVID restrictions that have been put in place around large gatherings, many have opted to go ahead with their summer weddings. For many, it has meant adjustments had to be made to original plans, cutting down a guest list, and even moving dates.
After a lot of bouncing around and consideration, Devan and Daniel Michaud were married on their originally date of July 25, but certainly not in the way they had initially planned.
"COVID changed nearly every last part of our wedding, save for the bride and groom," says Devan.
Originally the pair had planned a 200 person wedding with family and friends.
"Ultimately, we were married outside, with no bells or whistles."
In attendance was a Justice of the Peace and two witnesses, and their pair's two children. Being from British Columbia, none of Devan's family could attend what would be a very small wedding in the St. Paul area. Devan's maid of honour and Daniel's best man acted as witnesses, and their young son walked his mom down the aisle.
Every aspect of their wedding changed, and Devan says she's didn't even wear her wedding dress.
She admits it was an emotional time leading up to their wedding date. While there were worries about family members not being able to attend due to restrictions, "more than anything we felt completely helpless. We had zero control over what was happening and no idea where to go from there."
But, hearing the Justice of the Peace call them Mr. & Mrs. Michaud for the first time, along with saying their own vows, had a "sweet intimacy to it." After their ceremony, the pair went to visit Daniel's grandmother, and Devan gave her the bouquet from the day, which was also memorable.
"It was a bittersweet day, not having our bridal parties with us, our families, or our friends, but we have zero regrets because ultimately, we just wanted to be married. It was always about the marriage, not the wedding, so COVID just didn’t get to win this round," says Devan.
The pair is planning a big reception for their original guest list next May, where Devan plans to wear her wedding dress, dance with her step-dad, and celebrate being together.
Dawn and Keith
Dawn Kievits-Ouellette and her now-husband, Keith, were set to be married on Sept. 12, 2020, but tied the knot on Aug. 1.
"We knew we weren't going to have the wedding we wanted, so we just did what worked and bumped it up in case things got worse again," says Dawn. "I wanted to elope as it's my second time around, but Keith preferred to have something at home." So, when travel restrictions were put into place, the decision was made to keep their wedding close to home - very close.
Originally, the couple had planned to do an outdoor ceremony and then have an big catered reception with family and friends. In the end, they were married on their front lawn, and had a barbecue reception in the backyard.
"I think we had just over 100 people on the list. But, with COVID we kept it around the 50 that was permitted," says Dawn. The couple also asked Keith's mom to get officiate the wedding, which kept the list even shorter.
Dawn acknowledges that the ceremony was the most important part of the day.
"We were mostly just focused on getting married."
And just like most weddings, there was stress and nerves on the big day, but the pair enjoyed the day once it began.
"Honestly, the whole day was our favourite. I loved how relaxed it was," says Dawn. Keeping things simple meant there was less rushing, "it wasn't a cookie cutter ceremony. It was about us and us alone. It was also quick."
Dawn adds that in the end, the day was exactly what she and Keith wanted.
"We had it the way we wanted it. Our way, not (with) COVID or anything else standing in our way."
Kelsey and Kyle
Kelsey and Kyle Janz stuck to their originally wedding date of Aug. 8, 2020.
Originally, the pair had planned to invite over 200 people, but in early June, when restrictions were still only allowing 15 people to gather in one place, the pair uninvited most guests, except for parents and siblings. Then, when June 19 hit and the restrictions increased to allow 50 people, they were able to invite their grandparents, siblings and spouses, and bridal party and spouses.
"The most important piece that we focused on for our wedding day was that we weren’t to focused on the wedding as much as we are the marriage," says Kelsey. "The wedding day never changed and it has meaning to both of us."
The date held special meaning to Kelsey, as it was her late grandfather's birthday, and Kyle's parents also celebrated their 40th anniversary the day after.
"The most important thing to us is our marriage and that we need to work on the rest of our lives together. Not just a day," says Kelsey.
But, she admits there was a lot of tears and heartbreak leading up to the wedding, as plans changed. The hardest part was uninviting guests.
"That was the absolute worst and caused me the most stress. I’m a people pleaser by nature and to know some people would be upset was so heartbreaking to me. But, the safety of our friends and family was the most important thing we had to consider and when that’s on the line, sometimes tough decisions have to be made," she says.
And in the end, the best part of the day was how intimate it was and how the pair was able to spend a lot of time with the 35 guests that did attend.
Rather than having the wedding in Bonnyville, like originally planned, the entire day was held in the couple's yard in the Glendon area.
"We had a couple tents set up, one for food and one for the reception. Then we had everyone camp in our yard so no one had to travel. We made it a weekend thing instead of just one day and we loved it."
Kelsey says they are planning on having another celebration of marriage at a later date, with their original guest list.
N & B
Nicole Hamaliuk and her husband were married on July 25, 2020 - their original wedding date.
When COVID hit in March, Nicole and her now-husband made alternate arrangements in case July 25 wouldn't be possible.
"When restrictions lifted in June of 2020 allowing us to have 100 people at our wedding, we decided to go ahead with everything on our originally planned date," says Nicole, which was less than half their original guest list.
"It was very difficult to make cuts to our guest list, but thankfully everyone was understanding. Our reception was supposed to be at a hall, but indoor events only allowed 50 people. We wanted as many family and friends at our wedding that the government restrictions would allow, so we decided to have our wedding completely outdoors."
The pair searched for event tents, tables and chairs, and lighting just months before the big day. The bridesmaids had to travel to get ready due to restrictions around hair salons that are in place. And while the event was catered, the style was far from normal.
"Our caterers had designated people serving specific parts of the meal to our guests. We even had a sign saying 'Spread love, not COVID' to remind people to sanitize their hands with the multiple hand sanitizer bottles provided," says Nicole.
Stresses around getting her dress altered, and a delay in bridesmaids dresses arriving were just some of the issues that came up.
"It was all kind of a big mess that worked itself out rather nicely in the end," says Nicole. She says the pair tried to stick to their vision throughout, but also focused on the fact that the wedding was about them, and not all the little details.
"We just wanted to enjoy it for what it was, our wedding."
And despite the stress and emotions leading up to the day, Nicole says her favourite part was "being in the moment with each other. Nothing else mattered that day." She also recalls the feeling of gratitude they both had due to the amount of work and the amount of things they had to overcome to get over the hurdle.
"The whole day was extra special to us because of this."
Some advice Nicole would like to pass on to others getting married in the current situation is: "the journey getting to your day is far from normal and a lot of work, but enjoy the process with each other along the way. . . As soon as things change, find a way to adapt quickly. Most of all, don't lose sight of the big picture, which is you and your loved one starting a marriage together."
