Accidental Micro-Wedding

We got married surrounded by 16 of our closest friends and family. We didn't plan it that way. Not even close.

But it was perfect.

Magical.

Intimate.

It was the micro wedding that we didn't know we needed.

We had planned a wedding with upwards of 175 guests and a live band and a s'mores bar and dancing and laughing and hugging. And we intend to still have all of that one day.

But what we got was a small, simple, ceremony.

The level of anxiety I felt working up to that day with all of the obstacles thrown in our way, was beyond what I have felt before. My husband, Graham, recovered from Covid and completed his quarantine just days before our wedding. Some of my bridal party did as well. My family was my rock, they talked me through tears and showed unconditional support and I can't imagine getting through that time without their words of encouragement. Friends sent sweet messages offering support and an outlet. We were surrounded by positivity in this time that felt so heavy. Once I woke up on November 14, 2020 it all melted away. No matter what, I was marrying my soul mate that day.

We hurt thinking of those that would not be there with us that day. Family and the closest of friends that had been there through it all, were now watching us through a screen instead of in person. One of my best friends, who had Covid at the time, video called moments before my wedding and we got the chance to laugh (and cry) together, it meant the world to me.

We shrunk the whole thing, kept our photographer, videographer, DJ, and venue. The venue was the botanical conservatory in town. It has a main garden, tropical garden, and a desert garden and we had the whole venue at sunset all to ourselves. Our family did everything. We can't even begin to thank them for the enormous effort that they put into that day. My mom kept sneaking away throughout the day leading up to our ceremony and I found out later that she was coordinating moments and heartfelt surprises that made the day so much more memorable. We had a friend mail a life-size cardboard cutout of himself to someone attending the wedding so he could be there, too. So many people did so much to make us feel special and supported. The day was filled with positivity.

Our videographer live-streamed the wedding so our friends and extended families could tune in. Our photographer captured the most tender moments throughout the day.

We shared our tear-filled vows as his sister and my brother officiated our union. And then, we got to share our first dance to a song by our favorite band, literally surrounded by our loved ones in the glow of the lights. We ended the night with a s'mores cake, champagne toast, a sparkler send-off, and drove off together in the car he drove me to our first prom in, in highschool.

It was not exactly what we wanted, but it turns out it was exactly what we needed. Don't dismiss something because it isn't what you planned, I promise that sometimes what the universe has planned for you is far greater than you could ever imagine.

Stay wild,

Vic