Dream wedding before corona chaos sets in
Warragul residents Carly and Matt Stevens can only look back with relief after pulling off a dream wedding despite a chaotic week of preparation.
The couple was set to marry in front of 130 guests at Jindivick on Saturday, March 21. Enter coronavirus.
Carly said it was “absolutely chaotic” in the four days before the wedding as the government introduced new measures limiting gatherings, interstate guests were forced to cancel and, to top it off, she broke her toe on the morning of her big day.
And, had it been scheduled just one week later, Carly admits it would not have gone ahead.
However, despite it all, the newlyweds can reflect on the best day of their lives as they have an incredible wedding day story to share.
“It was just absolutely perfect, I couldn’t have pictured a more perfect day,” she said.
The first blow came a week prior when the government banned indoor gatherings of more than 100 people.
“When it all happened, it all happened the week before the wedding,” she said. “It was just an absolute nightmare. Each day we were getting different information. Pretty much each day leading up to the wedding, there was one new thing that happened.”
Carly thought of the paddock next to the Jindivick Hall and preparations started to create multiple marquees around a central dance floor area.
The couple also had to alter the ceremony which originally featured a ring warming ceremony where each guest would hold the rings. This was changed to a group pledge.
As states announced border closures and the couple urged those ill to stay away, 15 guests were unable to attend. However, they were able to share in the day via a live stream of the ceremony.
Carly said they talked about postponing but, with the support of guests who were mostly from the local area, they decided to go ahead with modifications.
Having got engaged in June 2018, Carly said the wedding day preparations had been made over a long period. Not even a broken toe, suffered when she kicked a rock trying to coax her pet cat inside on her wedding morning, could dampen her spirits.
“It was the best night of our lives, it was absolutely incredible,” she said.