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The coronavirus is cancelling plans, grounding planes, and closing schools, but some couples are still determined to get married.
For people across the country, videoconferencing tool Zoom has emerged as a solution to get married in front of loved ones while still maintaining social distancing guidance and preventing possible COVID-19 exposure.
Last weekend, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed an executive order allowing couples to apply for marriage licenses and even get married over video calls through May 18. New York has the most coronavirus cases of any US state, but people in other states were already moving ahead with the idea of a wedding by video call.
Here are two couples' experiences of Zoom weddings.
"Just know that it's not going to be perfect," Stephens told Business Insider. "You're doing something no one in history has done before."
Shelby and Brett Stephens' Zoom wedding.
Shelby Sansone
Despite the circumstances, they had fun with it, Stephens said. "We popped champagne and had everyone cheers."
Shelby and Brett Stephens' Zoom wedding.
Shelby Sansone
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She didn't get to walk down an aisle, so instead Stephens and her husband popped into the Zoom call muted and with their camera off, to see all the familiar faces and hear their guests' excitement before the ceremony.
Shelby and Brett Stephens' Zoom wedding.
Shelby Sansone
Stephens recommends couples getting married over Zoom try to use a venue, even if it's not the one from their original plan. "We got to come back to our house as a couple. It made it feel like an event."
Shelby and Brett Stephens' Zoom wedding.
Shelby Sansone
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"Of course there was a little disappointment, but I'd say that it completely exceeded expectations," Stephens told Business Insider.
Shelby and Brett Stephens' Zoom wedding.
Shelby Sansone
After the couple drove two hours to get a marriage license, they decided to assemble friends and family on zoom since they couldn't be together in person. Even their pastor agreed to perform the ceremony over Zoom.
Shelby and Brett Stephens' Zoom wedding.
Shelby Sansone
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The couple had already postponed their wedding once. Shelby Stephens told Business Insider that they were "itching to get married." As they realized their new date was likely not going to be possible, they made other plans.
Shelby and Brett Stephens' Zoom wedding.
Shelby Sansone
Shelby Sansome, now Shelby Stephens, and Brett Stephens got married over Zoom in Nashville last week.
Shelby and Brett Stephens' Zoom wedding.
Shelby Sansone
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They still plan to schedule a wedding and reception that friends and family can attend in the future.
Jeff and Meghan Dugan's Zoom wedding.
Jeff Dugan
The couple told Business Insider that they were happy to keep the original wedding date.
Jeff and Meghan Dugan's Zoom wedding.
Jeff Dugan
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Some guests even dressed up in formal clothes to feel more like they were really attending the ceremony.
Jeff and Meghan Dugan's Zoom wedding.
Jeff Dugan
They sent out a Zoom link to some friends and family. They were "shocked" to see how many attended, Jeff Dugan told Business Insider.
Jeff and Meghan Dugan's Zoom wedding.
Jeff Dugan
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They wanted to keep their original wedding date, so they quickly rearranged some plans, and their pastor was willing to come to their home in New Jersey.
Jeff and Meghan Dugan.
Jeff Dugan
Jeff and Meghan Dugan were initially devastated at the prospect of having to postpone their wedding.