13 photos that show how weddings have changed during the pandemic
Talia Lakritz
- Weddings have changed during the pandemic due to social distancing and restrictions on gatherings.
- People are holding smaller, more intimate celebrations.
- Livestreams and virtual weddings have become the norm.
The coronavirus pandemic has changed the way we communicate, work, travel, and say "I do."
Weddings must adhere to public health guidelines and lockdown restrictions, making them smaller and more intimate than ever before. Face masks and hand sanitizer are the new wedding favors. And livestreamed ceremonies have become the norm.
Read more: 6 things that might never happen at weddings again in a post-coronavirus world
Here are 13 photos that show how weddings have changed during the pandemic.
Weddings are much smaller than they have been in the past.
Large gatherings have the potential to become superspreader events, so public health restrictions have required couples to cut down their guest lists.
Linda Hoveskeland and Ardell Hoveskeland of Alexandria, Virginia, held their wedding in an empty church with a livestream for family and friends. The officiant announced "You may remove your mask and kiss the bride."
Outdoor and backyard weddings have become a popular option.
Outdoor gatherings present lower risks of spreading the coronavirus. Elisheva Dan and Mara Mooiweer held their socially distanced wedding in a park in Massachusetts, where guests stood six feet apart.
Many couples have had to cancel their wedding plans, or had them canceled by venues and vendors that went out of business.
Lindsey Dale of Livermore, California, hosted a "non-wedding reception" for friends and family on a video conference call outside her home in May 2020. Dale and her fiancé Sean Widger had to postpone their wedding , but marked the day it was supposed to happen with a small, socially distant gathering.
Virtual weddings have become mainstream.
Alicia Mae, CEO of ILE Events, told Insider in September that she's seen a higher percentage of virtual weddings in her business.
"I would say out of the whole scheme of 100% of weddings, maybe 20% were virtual before," she said. "And now you see the spike, where it's more like 75, 80%. So it's very, very high in a short period of time."
Virtual wedding viewers have found ways to feel more a part of the experience.
Bianca Toniolo threw confetti at the phone from which she watched her grandfather's wedding in January 2021.
Even Elvis impersonators in Las Vegas are getting in on the virtual wedding trend.
Larry and Gay Wood of Texas enlisted an Elvis Presley impersonator for their virtual vow renewal in July 2020.
Some couples have opted for drive-in weddings.
Katina Miles and Algerone Pettus married in a drive-in ceremony in Gainesville, Florida, in April 2020. The Alachua County Clerk of the Court office hosted drive-thru wedding ceremonies for couples who had their weddings canceled or put on hold due to COVID-19.
When people aren't able to attend due to restricted guest lists or quarantine, they find other ways of celebrating.
When Amanda Mason and Aaron Meyers got marrieid in April 2020, their neighborhood in Washington, DC, held a socially distant celebration for them.
Face masks in all public settings, including weddings, are the norm.
Rachel and Sebastian Vasquez wore "bride" and "groom" face masks at their May 2020 nuptials in Rustburg, Virginia.
Some bridal boutiques are even designing masks to match wedding gowns.
A mannequin at a bridal shop in Kips Bay, New York, sported a coordinating face mask with the wedding dress on display.
Wedding cake vendors, too, have had to adapt to the pandemic.
The Great Dane Baking Company in Los Alamitos, California, used to sell wedding cakes. In March 2020, owner Nataly Stein pivoted to making fresh bread and selling produce, meat, and seafood since wedding cake orders halted.
Wedding photographers wear face masks and keep their distance while posing couples.
Some wedding photographers have worked at weddings where mask rules and social distancing were not observed and contracted the coronavirus.
Hand sanitizer is now as much of a wedding essential as flowers are.
Some couples are even giving out hand sanitizer as wedding favors.
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