The Chronicle Herald (Provincial)

Internet nuptials

North Sydney couple plans virtual wedding proving COVID-19 can't stop love

- BY NICOLE SULLIVAN

NORTH SYDNEY — Shannon Powless and Ryan Knupp are done with the COVID-19 pandemic keeping them from getting married.

So they’re having a virtual wedding on May 17, with about 140 of their close friends and family via Facebook Live.

“We just want to be married. We don’t need a big wedding,” said Powless, who is Canadian hip hop artist X-plycit. “This saves us a lot more money, too.”

The couple, who have been together for five years, was supposed to get married in April but postponed in March after the Nova Scotia government declared a state of emergency and Health Protection Act restrictio­ns on public gatherings came into effect.

Originally, Powless and Knupp were going to get married after the restrictio­ns were lifted but a few weeks ago they decided they were done waiting.

“We didn’t know how long this was going to last … And to be honest, when Randy proposed, we both just wanted to elope because we just want to be married to each other,” Powless said. “We never really cared if it was a big wedding.”

Following Health Protection Orders which limit essential gatherings to five people, Knupp and Powless will be joined on their front lawn on May 17 by a justice of the peace, a bridesmaid and a best man. Everyone except the happy couple will keep six feet apart. The couple’s three children will stay inside and watch the wedding from the window.

The livestream will be recorded and posted on their wedding page for people who missed it to watch later.

“A lot of the people we know have kids,” explained Powless. “We know when you have children and when they start to act up you can’t really focus.”

Because of shipping delays, Powless didn’t want to order her wedding dress online and turned to Kijiji where she found a woman in Point Edward selling one she loves in her size. The couple did order Knupp’s tux online and believe it’ll arrive on time since they’ve received notice it’s already been shipped.

Powless’ bridesmaid is picking her dress and then the groom and his best man will match their ties to the colour of her dress so there’s some uniformity in their wedding party. Boutineers and flower bouquets have been ordered from Lotheringt­on’s and their rings were picked during an appointmen­t at Joy Jewelers, where social distancing rules were followed.

However, the couple aren’t having any cake or after wedding celebratio­ns — for now. Once the restrictio­ns are lifted, they plan to have a party and are debating a small renewal of ceremonies so their children can participat­e.

“We both have family in Nova Scotia and in Ontario. This way, when this is all over, everyone can get together to celebrate,” Knupp said.

Plus their children can be involved if they decide to have a renewal ceremony.

“Both our fathers have already passed away,” explained Powless. “So our 11-year-old was supposed to walk me down the aisle. Our other son was going to be the ringbearer and our daughter the flower girl.”

“They’re really disappoint­ed they can’t be involved in our wedding now, but they understand and are just happy we are getting married.”

We didn’t know how long this was going to last … And to be honest, when Randy proposed, we both just wanted to elope because we just want to be married to each other SHANNON POWLESS

 ??  ?? Shannon Powless and Ryan Knupp of North Sydney will be married on their front lawn May 17 by a justice of the peace. They will be joined by a bridesmaid, a best man and Powless and Knupp's three children will stay inside and watch the wedding from the window.
Shannon Powless and Ryan Knupp of North Sydney will be married on their front lawn May 17 by a justice of the peace. They will be joined by a bridesmaid, a best man and Powless and Knupp's three children will stay inside and watch the wedding from the window.

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