The big question on the minds of engaged couples is whether or not to go through with wedding plans in the coming weeks and months.
Almost a third of the world’s population, 2.5 billion people, is under quarantine due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With more than 500,000 cases around the world and more than 101,000 in the U.S alone, mass gatherings have been disrupted.
For couples who decided to push through with their weddings, they are complying to safe social distancing and using online streaming platforms such as Zoom, Facebook, Youtube and Instagram m to share their special day.
Josh Whiteman and Celena Peters from Canada had family and friends traveling to attend their Alberta wedding. With some guests at high risk for Covid-19, the couple’s pastor mentioned livestreaming as an option so guests could still join them.
About 40 guests joined the couple’s livestream wedding on Zoom. Some even dressed up just to watch it from home. Others were in sweatpants eating snacks.
As brides and grooms search for workarounds, they are spending their days asking for refunds and begging for credits.
“It is relieving that it is over and we no longer have to worry about the constant updates and how it was affecting our planned wedding. That was the worst part, not knowing what was going to happen,” Whiteman said.
Many couples are counting on friends and family more than ever. Sarah Marchese and Varun Khedekar of Sarasota, Florida, said their friend surprised them with the idea to livestream their reception last weekend. More than 40 of their guests joined the Zoom meeting.
“She created a Spotify music playlist for us to play at the virtual reception,” the couple said.
“We had no idea that so many of our friends and family were going to log on to Zoom and virtually celebrate with us. The best part was seeing that some of our guests still dressed up in suits and dresses, despite being at home. It was a wonderful surprise!”
Megan Murphy, the friend who hosted the livestream, said it was the “best night in isolation.”
“People on the call would chime in with messages of congratulations and love, both via voice and in the chat feature, and we’d all hoot and holler whenever they kissed on camera,” she recalled.