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.
Hannah Keogh, who postponed her June 13th wedding in Telluride, Colorado, is sharing how she and her husband, Edward “Teddy” Gates, made the final call and decided to have a courthouse wedding.
Hannah, who works in shopping at Google, and Teddy, who does real estate at CBRE, planned their wedding in the rocky mountain town, as the place means a lot to her family and provides the perfect refresh from their life in Chicago. While the two were quarantining at her family’s home in Scottsdale, it became clear that postponing their wedding was the best step forward.
Hannah’s sister lives in Berlin, and Teddy’s godfather is in Santiago, so it would be a big destination wedding for certain guests. “Despite the numerous challenging conversations with our families and our wedding planner, we felt nothing but relief after we made the decision,” the bride says. The couple has postponed their celebration to June 26th, 2021—the one year anniversary of their civil ceremony.
After sharing the news with guests, Hannah and Teddy still wanted to get married soon in Telluride, in a safe and responsible manner. They decided on a courthouse wedding, surrounded by only immediate family—the perfect complement to their ceremony next summer.
Many of the plans for the civil ceremony came together a week before, since regulations were ever-changing. Luckily, Hannah’s mother, Carol, and their “superhuman wedding planner,” Wendy Hampton of Soirée Telluride, were their boots on the ground in town and helped pull it all together.
The two got ready at her family’s home. The bride was instantly drawn to a Brock Collection dress to say, “I do” in, and Mansur Gavriel sandals, Mizuki pearl chain drop earrings, and a bouquet by New Leaf Design paired perfectly with the look. “The night before, my mother-in-law, Weezie, gifted me her late mother’s sixpence to wear in my shoe,” she says. Teddy wore a navy Brooks Brothers suit, and for the sunnier moments, they both opted for Ray-Bans.
Hand-in-hand, the couple walked to the courthouse together. Sean Murphy, former Telluride Mayor and dear family friend, married them in the historic San Miguel County Courthouse, and they surprised their families by writing their own vows. Upon their exit, they were greeted (in a socially distant fashion) by local friends, who were blowing bubbles and popping champagne.
The newlyweds rode up the gondola with their mothers, looking chic in Dolce & Gabbana and Carolina Herrera, to the San Sophia Overlook to pop more champagne. After taking some pictures and cheers-ing, they headed back down for a delicious dinner at 221 South Oak, topped off with a heavenly croquembouche. That night, they booked a room at the New Sheridan, a historic boutique hotel decorated in classic Victorian style.
“Aside from the ability to still have our dream wedding next summer, we’re tremendously grateful for our health, the support of our families and friends, and our love for each other,” Hannah says, looking back on everything. “With full hearts, we’ll never take our blissful civil ceremony in the mountains for granted.”
