Making it official in the time of COVID-19
Newlyweds delight their neighbours, themselves, with outdoor wedding
In the end, Dan and April Garrison didn’t need an elaborate ceremony or destination wedding to prove their love.
A wedding on the front lawn of their condominium complex in St. Catharines was more than enough.
“It is a rare couple, and especially a rare bride, that puts their priorities on the marriage and not the perfect wedding,” said neighbour Tracey Naldjieff.
“As far as I’m concerned, they are off to a beautiful start.”
The Garrisons, who are in their mid-30s, planned a traditional wedding on March 28 with a short engagement after Dan popped the question on Dec. 21. Before they could get to the altar, the COVID-19 crisis hit.
The first set of the pandemic’s social distancing guidelines limited gatherings to 50 people, and the couple set about reducing their guest list. Everyone would understand.
Then the rules changed again, and authorities dropped the limit to five people — enough for just a pastor, bride, groom, best man and maid of honour.
“We just decided we didn’t want to wait any longer,” April said. “We know we have found the right person. We also had a marriage certificate that was going to expire — and no idea when the courthouse would open again.”
April called the local MPP and police to make sure they were following all the guidelines.
On the morning of April 22, Dan decorated the yard at their condominium townhouse complex on Elma Street, and some curious neighbours started to wonder what was going on.
“They came out and watched,” April said. “They did the social distancing thing, but they were having some fun. One of them started singing ‘Here Comes the Bride.’ Where we live, everyone says hello. They are friendly, but since the wedding people are more likely to come up and talk with us. Someone even dropped a wedding card in our mailbox the next day.”
Their parents watched from their cars in front of the house. Dan used a cellphone tucked into his jacket pocket to broadcast the vows to them via Bluetooth. The videographer was caught up in the spirit of innovation and used a drone to make the wedding video. They have no regrets.
“Dan used the decorations left over from the shower, and we had lilies left over from Easter,” April said. “I did my hair and makeup. The best part was Dan’s reaction when he saw me. We turned it into a special day and we have a great story to tell.”