3 Improvised Coronavirus Weddings to Remind You that Love Conquers All

As the world faces the threat of the coronavirus, couples around the globe have had to cancel or postpone their upcoming weddings on short notice to ensure they do not contribute to the spread of the virus. It has been a difficult time, as many have likely been anticipating their big day for months. However, not everything is gloom and doom. We’ve found three joyful stories of couples who have still found their way to tying the knot to provide some hope and happiness in this uncertain time.

Photo by Brian Kaufman of Detroit Free Press, courtesy of USA Today.

1.     Michigan Couple Marries in City Park Instead of Las Vegas

April Moses and Dorman Page of Ferndale, Michigan had a plan to fly out to Las Vegas and get hitched at the beginning of March. As the coronavirus threat swept the country, the two realized they had to change their plans, but the couple was still dedicated to marrying. The two planned to tie the knot at a municipal center in Detroit, but wedding services weren’t available, so they found an officiant on Google who agreed to marry them in Geary Park in Ferndale.

In the middle of the park, with two witnesses and their officiant, Page and Moses were married. “I always wanted to be his wife," April said, having first fallen for Page at 14. “So with all this stuff that’s going on, it’s like, I’d rather be his wife than to have a big wedding. I just wanted to be married.” The couple plans on rescheduling with their Vegas venue to renew their vows within the next year and a half. “I’d rather be his wife during this crazy time where me and him can actually live as a married couple and enjoy life together with all this craziness,” she said.

Photo courtesy of Quartz.

2.     California Couple Holds Zoom Nuptials

Writer Daniel Wolfe recounted for Quartz a virtual wedding he attended between his friends Christie and Jeff. The couple had originally intended on eloping to Iceland and honeymooning in Ireland. When travel to the UK became restricted, the two decided to get married at their local city hall—that is, until, their county (and then later the state of California) issued a shelter-in-place order which effectively closed public offices.

That was when the couple chose to move their marriage online, sending a Zoom invitation out to Wolfe and other friends and family for a ceremony only four hours later. Virtual attendees were greeted by vinyl tunes and a handmade sign reminding guests to mute their mics, grab a drink and wash their hands. When the time came to tie the knot, a newly-ordained (read: the hour before) friend introduced guests to the event. The couple exchanged their vows, Wolfe remarking, “We were crying, my wife and I holding each other, hand and arm, while we peered into this strange portal to something somewhat like reality and very much our current reality…It felt like a wedding.”

Photo courtesy of NBC.

3.     New York Couple Marries on Street with Celebrant Leaning Out of Apartment Window to Officiate

Reilly Jennings and Amanda originally had their wedding scheduled for October, but out of an abundance of concern for their venue being closed and more severe travel restrictions being put in place, they chose to move their wedding date up. They were also concerned about the cost of the wedding after the gym where wheeler worked was closed due to the pandemic. 

The couple picked up their marriage license from the Marriage Bureau, intending to return the day after for their ceremony. However, as they were going to the Bureau, Mayor De Blasio announced the office would be closing indefinitely. They then messaged their friends, hoping to find someone to officiate their wedding, and luckily their friend Matt Wilson was certified by the city. In a video that has since gone viral, Wilson officiated the proceedings from his window as the couple shouted “I do” from the street below. "It was perfect, classic New York," Jennings said. "Everything I love about this city was encompassed in that moment."

Have you heard a heartwarming wedding story amid the coronavirus crisis? Share it with us on Instagram or Facebook! We’d love to keep the good news coming. 

Is your wedding affected by coronavirus restrictions? The Knot is offering a 24-hour helpline for couples. Call 833-998-2865 or email help@theknot.com for wedding planning help.