Life is different during a pandemic. No indoor dining really, no parties, and a lot of missing out of celebrations. My brother was supposed to get married in Olivella, Spain this October in a week-long bash that would have friends and family celebrating with wine and delicious food for nearly a week! Obviously, those plans had to be cancelled, and instead he wed his high school sweet heart at a botanical garden outside Salt Lake City where they live, just the two of them, their officiant, and a phone set up so we could all watch via Zoom. Lovely and special because they still got married, but a little different than the party they had planned.
A week later, the plan was for siblings and parents to meet in Chattanooga (and all get tested for Covid-19 prior to being together), where we’re from, to celebrate with a patio dinner or something small. And that’s what Logan and Emily, the bride and groom, expected when they flew in. But we had other plans for them.
Yes, big indoor celebrations are cancelled, as is travel to much of Europe for us Americans right now, but celebrating isn’t cancelled. We surprised the newly weds with an outdoor, family only, intimate reception under the stars and realized this should be the way all things are celebrated moving forward!
The vendors were incredibly accommodating, wore masks when inside preparing food, and did everything in their power to make it an amazing night. And dancing in my parents driveway, under some bistro lights we hung ourselves, watching the newlyweds laugh with custom cocktails in hand, we realized the destination didn’t matter as long as we all got to be together.
So we say, plan parties! Celebrate with friends and family — just be mindful that we’re still in the middle of a global pandemic and be safe. Small gatherings, outdoors, according to the science, are likely safe*. Local companies are hurting from the slew of cancelled events they’ve endured and truthfully, cancelled events are probably what made it easy for us to gather such incredible vendors with only a month notice. Supporting the local economy, wherever you live is always a good idea and having something to celebrate (weddings! babies! a Friday night! pizza! just celebrating for the heck of it!) feels pretty damn good right about now.
*Getting tests prior to being together and celebrating outside made us feel good about our decision.
vendors
Private Chef: High Haute Foods Catering
Rentals: Chattanooga Tent Company
Traveling Bar: Cosmic Blues Bar
Flower Crown: Fox and Fern
Centerpiece: May Flowers
photos
