Now that it’s crystal clear that hosting a big wedding at this time is just not possible due to the spread of COVID-19, we’re sharing the experiences of real couples navigating the re-scheduling, cancellation, and civil and commemorative wedding processes in an attempt to help others make informed decisions and to spread our support to all during this time.
Ellie Oakford, the head of partnerships at Pepper Home, postponed her June 13th wedding in Manchester, Vermont because of the spread of COVID-19. Here, she’s sharing how she and her husband, Nick, made the final call and had a micro-wedding in August.
In March, the couple made the decision to push their wedding back two months, as they didn’t feel confident that June would be a safe enough time for everyone to get everyone together. And in the middle of July, their August 22nd wedding was downsized to just family and friends on the island of Nantucket, where the two started dating and got engaged last year.
With six weeks to plan, Ellie reached out to Handy & Dallaire Events for help. “Once we officially moved on from our plans in Vermont, we both felt this weight lifted off of our shoulders, and we were really able to enjoy the last few weeks of our engagement,” Ellie remarks. “I actually had more fun planning the smaller wedding than the larger one. We were able to focus more on little details and make it really feel special.”
For her wedding dress, the bride kept an open mind. She ended up finding her Monique Lhuillier gown online and immediately fell in love with the lace detail and sleeves, when she tried it on. On the day-of, Lyndsay Simon Beauty and a stylist from RJ Miller Salon & Spa helped her get ready, and to attend her rehearsal dinner, the day before, she paired a colorful Cara Cara skirt with a white top.
In the historic Hadwen House’s garden, Ellie glided down the aisle with her father to meet Nick under the floral altar by Flowers on Chestnut. The whole ceremony was put on Zoom, organized by Yellow Productions, so more friends and family could “attend,” and once Ellie and Nick were finally announced as husband and wife, everyone headed to ‘Sconset for cocktails and dinner at French restaurant The Chanticleer.
The romantic tables were set with rattan chargers, scalloped dinner plates, Ashley D. Studio-designed menus, and napkins monogrammed with the letter “H” that Ellie’s mother had gifted to the couple. Dinner was finished off with a carrot wedding cake from The Nantucket Bake Shop.
Looking back at everything, the newlyweds “wouldn’t change a thing” about their wedding weekend. Ellie adds, “There is something so special about simply celebrating your marriage surrounded by your nearest and dearest.”
