Amidst the uncertainties brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, many couples faced the dilemma of whether to postpone their wedding entirely or to opt for a smaller celebration with the promise of a larger gathering in the future. Claire and Sam, like many others, found themselves navigating this challenging decision during their wedding planning journey.

Rather than allowing the circumstances to dampen their spirits, Claire and Sam approached the situation with creativity and resilience. They chose a unique solution that would allow them to celebrate their love in a meaningful way while still honoring their original vision for their wedding day.

Rather than postponing their wedding indefinitely, Claire and Sam decided to host a mini celebration in the current year, followed by a larger gathering in the subsequent year. This innovative approach allowed them to mark the beginning of their journey as a married couple while still looking forward to the grand celebration they had always dreamed of.

By opting for this solution, Claire and Sam were able to strike a balance between their desire to celebrate with loved ones in the present and their commitment to a larger celebration in the future. Their decision reflects the resilience and adaptability that have become hallmarks of couples navigating wedding planning during these unprecedented times.

As we continue to support couples like Claire and Sam on their wedding journey, we are inspired by their creativity and determination in the face of adversity. Their story serves as a reminder that love knows no bounds and that, even in the midst of uncertainty, there is always a way to celebrate the joyous union of two souls.

We look forward to witnessing Claire and Sam’s love story unfold as they embark on this new chapter together, and we are honored to be a part of their journey every step of the way.

From Claire – “One thing we ended up loving but didn’t plan on was all of the one-on-one time our families were able to spend with each other. We had a homemade meal together Friday night to kick off the weekend and really enjoyed every moment from there on. The wedding consisted of our parents and siblings, so much smaller and more intimate than anticipated. I loved how involved our families were in the planning of the wedding. From building the arbor to cooking the meal, it was more DIY than we planned but so much fun! Plus, we ended up getting married in my father’s backyard (in my hometown of Rockford, OH), which was beautiful, and it was so comforting to be in a space that I grew up in. We had planned to get married in Sam’s church in Ithaca and we’re sad to change this plan, but we were blessed with perfect weather and ended up loving every moment.”

The photographer was Quincy with The Association Photography (IG: @theassociationphoto).