I went to a drive-in wedding, and it was way more fun than watching a livestream

Talia LakritzAug 21, 2020, 20:35 IST

The author and her partner with the grooms.Talia Lakritz/Insider

My friends Gedalia and Caleb Robinson had a drive-in wedding in Washington, DC, on August 12.
Guests decorated their cars and listened to the wedding through a radio station.
I was grateful to be able to celebrate in person in a safe, socially distant way — it was way more fun than watching a livestream.

Last summer, I went to six weddings between Memorial Day and Labor Day. I was supposed to attend a similar number this summer, if not for the coronavirus pandemic. Many of my friends either postponed their celebrations or held virtual weddings, instead. But Gedalia and Caleb Robinson took a different route.

After postponing their June nuptials, they reimagined their event as a drive-in wedding. The CDC still recommends avoiding non-essential travel, but road trips and socially distanced outdoor activities are relatively low risk. I knew I had to be there.

My friends Gedalia and Caleb Robinson were supposed to get married in June. Due to the pandemic, they decided to have a drive-in wedding in August, instead.

Caleb (left) and Gedalia. Devon Rowland Photography

My partner and I both had roles in the wedding so, like many people this summer, we rented a car and took a road trip.

On the way to Washington, DC. Courtesy of Coren Feldman

The night before the wedding, the grooms hosted a virtual tisch, a traditional Jewish reception with singing and speeches. Their dog, Booker, also joined the festivities.

Gedalia and Caleb's virtual tisch. Talia Lakritz/Insider

The night before the wedding, the grooms hosted a virtual tisch, a traditional Jewish reception with singing and speeches. Their dog, Booker, also joined the festivities.

The next day, we arrived an hour early to the synagogue parking lot to prepare for our respective roles.

The synagogue parking lot where the wedding took place. Talia Lakritz/Insider

Part of my role in the wedding was signing the ketubah, Hebrew for marriage document.

The ketubah, Hebrew for marriage document. Talia Lakritz/Insider

I ducked into the synagogue to check out the A/V setup behind the scenes.

The wedding livestream. Talia Lakritz/Insider

In our rental car's front window, I placed a celebratory sign that I made.

Our rental car. Talia Lakritz/Insider

Other guests soon began to arrive with their decked-out cars.

A decorated car. Talia Lakritz/Insider

Shtick, a Yiddish word for entertaining displays or jokes, is a traditional part of Jewish weddings.

A car with a unicorn float. Talia Lakritz/Insider

Some guests included photos of the couple in their decorations.

A heart-shaped decoration. Talia Lakritz/Insider

Some used window chalk markers to convey their congratulations.

A message written in window chalk marker. Talia Lakritz/Insider

Others covered their vehicles in wrapping paper and ribbons.

A decorated car. Talia Lakritz/Insider

A wedding coordinator came around to all the cars with a slip of paper detailing the Zoom and radio frequency information.

Me in the car. Talia Lakritz/Insider

Each car also got a package of cookies from a local bakery.

Wedding treats. Talia Lakritz/Insider

Once the parking lot was full, it was time to begin the ceremony.

The full parking lot. Talia Lakritz/Insider

I only watched a bit of the wedding from the car until I was called up to sign the ketubah.

The view from my car. Talia Lakritz/Insider

Gedalia and Caleb exchanged vows in a beautiful ceremony punctuated by enthusiastic honking and shots of confetti.

Under the chuppah (wedding canopy). Devon Rowland Photography

"It was so enjoyable to be able to feed off of everybody's energy," he said.

Confetti flies through the parking lot. Devon Rowland Photography

After a smattering of socially distant dancing and socializing, cars began lining up to leave the parking lot.

The parking lot after the wedding. Courtesy of Coren Feldman

Gedalia and Caleb stood by the exit of the parking lot to say goodbye to each car. I was so glad I got to be there in person, albeit from a distance.

A quick selfie on our way out. Talia Lakritz/Insider

A bride and groom couldn't have their dream big wedding due to the coronavirus, so they donated and served all their food to a children's shelter

Cookies on the Business Insider India website

I went to a drive-in wedding, and it was way more fun than watching a livestream

My friends Gedalia and Caleb Robinson were supposed to get married in June. Due to the pandemic, they decided to have a drive-in wedding in August, instead.

My partner and I both had roles in the wedding so, like many people this summer, we rented a car and took a road trip.

The night before the wedding, the grooms hosted a virtual tisch, a traditional Jewish reception with singing and speeches. Their dog, Booker, also joined the festivities.

The next day, we arrived an hour early to the synagogue parking lot to prepare for our respective roles.

Part of my role in the wedding was signing the ketubah, Hebrew for marriage document.

I ducked into the synagogue to check out the A/V setup behind the scenes.

In our rental car's front window, I placed a celebratory sign that I made.

Other guests soon began to arrive with their decked-out cars.

Shtick, a Yiddish word for entertaining displays or jokes, is a traditional part of Jewish weddings.

Some guests included photos of the couple in their decorations.

Some used window chalk markers to convey their congratulations.

Others covered their vehicles in wrapping paper and ribbons.

A wedding coordinator came around to all the cars with a slip of paper detailing the Zoom and radio frequency information.

Each car also got a package of cookies from a local bakery.

Once the parking lot was full, it was time to begin the ceremony.

I only watched a bit of the wedding from the car until I was called up to sign the ketubah.

Gedalia and Caleb exchanged vows in a beautiful ceremony punctuated by enthusiastic honking and shots of confetti.

"It was so enjoyable to be able to feed off of everybody's energy," he said.

After a smattering of socially distant dancing and socializing, cars began lining up to leave the parking lot.

Gedalia and Caleb stood by the exit of the parking lot to say goodbye to each car. I was so glad I got to be there in person, albeit from a distance.