Social distancing, self-quarantines and ‘safer at home’ is not what any of us had in mind for 2020, but unfortunately, for now it’s our reality. And interestingly enough I devoted 2020 to my study of happiness. How happiness truly is a choice in a world where challenging circumstances are thrown at us everyday. How poignant that thought is now, especially for those with marriage plans. Some people dream for years about their big day. There are months and months of planning and so many minute details to iron out. As large gatherings are prohibited in most states right now, what is a couple to do? While some postpone their wedding, others have embraced the oddity of the now and have opted to broadcast their wedding online.
Online weddings have become so popular at the moment that there are actually companies popping up that will help you plan. Recently I came across an article in Vogue, Here’s How to Set up Your Zoom Wedding. If that isn’t making lemonade out of lemons, I’m not sure what is. I’m struck by our resilience in the toughest of times and our ability to love deeply, fiercely even in the midst of crisis. I’m also touched by the sentimentality of an online wedding. To not only have the ability to film the ceremony for all to see, but some are even capturing a small speech by each and everyone of their guests. You don’t have to run around from table to table making sure you’ve said hello, but instead your guests take a moment to let you, and dozens more, know how much they love you. What a gift!
A few of my dearest clients had been affected and they were required to postpone their celebration. However, they made the most of it. Here is what they had to say:
“Despite the change in the celebration, we wanted to have our anniversary be on May 2nd going forward, so we elected to have a tiny, casual ceremony with only immediate family in attendance and watching via Facebook live. We did not celebrate or do anything special, because we wanted to save those memories for our new wedding date in September.”
While everyone is reacting to the situation at hand differently I think it’s important to pause for a moment and recognize that a wedding, whether broadcast online or not, is simply a snapshot of a lifetime of happiness. It’s an event where you are giving your heart and your commitment to another for a lifetime. While we might dream of a perfect day, perhaps it’s a blessing that our perspective has been shifted. I’ve been married now for 7 years and there isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t have gratitude and respect for my beautiful wife. My hope for you is that you let go of expectations and embrace the unknown. In that space I’ve seen magical things happen.