I remember emailing all of my clients as COVID hit, sending my support, offering options, and just checking in. So many of my 2020 couples booked me YEARS in advance, and this was set to be “my best year ever.” It sucked.

Thankfully, my clients have been amazing. Resilient. Hopeful. And inspiring. And that’s what this blog is about! A bunch moved to Fridays, Sundays, “off season dates” to make sure that I could still be a part of their wedding day. And some still got married on their original date! Meet Macy and Connor. Not only did they have to endure pandemic life (like the rest of us) and planning a wedding while navigating the uncertainty of COVID, but Macy also was in the middle of graduating from college. They endured SO many hurdles, so many major events and milestones being turned upside down.

So when they decided to get married on their planned wedding date, I was overjoyed. Not just because 6/6/2020 is a fun date for an anniversary, but it was so awesome to see love prevailing, and to be a part of such a huge moment, even during their weird times.

You know how sometimes things just work out, like they were meant to be? While it wasn’t their vision for the day, the pair moved their wedding to a small venue and had a pared down ceremony, focusing on what was important to them. So while it lacked the big ballroom and big wedding feel, their day was full of sweet moments and sentimentality. Getting married at the Iroquois Club, just down the road from where the pair met, became friends, and fell in love, meant they could get ready at their childhood homes.

With the change of venue, while they had a smaller day than imagined, they were surrounded LITERALLY by people who had known them for years, sitting in the lake on boats and jet skis as the two tied the knot on the dock! Their nuptials were heartfelt, funny, and beautiful. I loved that they made their day special in new ways, like using a ceremony arch that Connor’s dad made to frame their ceremony, live streaming the ceremony for guests who couldn’t come, and doing a “first touch” to take in a quiet moment together before the ceremony without seeing each other!

After the ceremony we did some portraits, heading to some of Connor’s favorite places in the neighborhood. Seriously, I am all about this. These spots were GORGEOUS, but also held so much meaning, and I love that. Of course getting photos where it’s pretty but also convenient is nice, but being able to look back on these images and remember the years growing up in this neighborhood and the years of memories these locations hold? Ugh, I’m tearing up thinking about it.

I think one of the biggest hit parts of a wedding during a pandemic is the reception. Drinking with friends, busting a move on the dance floor, hugging and chatting, it’s all a little weird (and in some places not allowed). Macy and Connor made the most of it though! They still had the beautiful dances with their parents, laugher inducing speeches, delish cake, and moments with their family. It’s like they cut it down to the most important part- time with their family, celebrating taking this next step in their lives and being excited to be MARRIED. It was beautiful.

Also, if they hadn’t had to change all of their plans I wouldn’t have gotten to photograph my first ever JET SKI WEDDING EXIT.