Cheerful Backyard Jewish Wedding during Covid
2020 has been a weird year for weddings, and sometimes it seems like it’s not even worth talking about anymore. That’s exactly why I’m starting this blog series, because I want to celebrate our “Covid weddings” and, at the same time, inspire you with ideas on how you can make sure that Covid-19 doesn’t define your wedding!
This is the second instalment of the Covid Weddings series, and we’re flashing back to one of the hottest days of my life setting up this cheerful backyard Jewish wedding. Read on for my reflections of the day and details from the bride herself!
Lainie and Daniel ~ June 28, 2020
Photos by Kamp Photography
At the onset of the pandemic, we (I) felt heartbroken and did not know what to do. Should we postpone our celebration or proceed with something very different than we had originally planned and envisioned? At the time, choosing to proceed in a smaller fashion seemed like the worst decision. However, after proceeding with our wedding on our original date, I don’t know how we ever could have chosen to postpone.
Our original guest list included guests from all over the world and consisted of over 250 people, thus we had to cut back our guests considerably. As both of us come from larger families and close-knit groups of friends this proved to be a significant challenge. Inevitably, we chose to host an intimate ceremony with our immediate families, grandmothers, and aunts and uncles.
We are currently still planning to host a larger celebration next year and hope to be able to invite all or most of our original guest list; only time will tell what this event will look like. But what this pandemic has really taught us is that we can’t control everything and to just let go and enjoy what we can.
I planned the wedding entirely myself, and I truthfully found it very challenging to be inspired for the intimate affair. Lauren was amazing in providing constant support and was always there as I navigated through the re-planning process, finalizing all details less than two weeks before the big day (sorry)!
I originally had an amazing vision for the big affair – that we still hope to incorporate into our plans for next spring – but I could not be inspired by the Garden Theme for the covid wedding.
At that time, Lauren suggested having fun with it and planning something totally different, and to make the best out of a tough situation. Lauren suggested a few blogs for me to research and after reading through a few of them, the lightbulb went off!!
In the end, we planned a completely different affair – we chose to host a beautiful Modern Garden Party in my parents’ backyard, at the home I grew up in. This consisted of an intimate ceremony that incorporated stories of our childhood and reminiscing about family members who shaped the people we became. Our wedding featured brighter colours than I would have originally chosen and now wish I had incorporated even brighter hues into the day! This new vision even enabled us to host an intimate dinner featuring a locally renowned chef – a true farm-to-table culinary experience!
Our smaller, intimate wedding became everything we could have ever wanted, even though we never envisioned it in the beginning. It was simply perfect, and we truly have Lauren to thank for her constant guidance, support, and attention to detail!
In the end, all the details that seemed to bring me down, all the things we weren’t able to have – we had to let it go and embrace what we did have, we had each other, we had our families and we had our love. At the end of the day, we focused on our love story and let go of everything we ‘lost’ because of the pandemic and started to focus on the things we gained. It could not have been more perfect.
I loved making this cheery bouquet for Lainie. It felt really juicy 🍑🍓🍉🍋 My husband said it was his favourite bouquet that I’ve made! For the “big wedding,” we’re planning to go a lot simpler and more neutral, but for the intimate wedding, I suggested that we go a little bolder with the colour. As the spring weather turned to summer, Lainie was finding herself more drawn to those seasonal fresh colours and there was no good reason not to indulge in them!
Bridal Bouquet Ingredients: locally grown peonies, ranunculus, columbine and anemonies with Canadian grown ranunculus, olive foliage, and hosta leaves from my own garden. I knew that Lainie’s dress was quite streamlined and she’s very petite, so I didn’t want to design a bouquet that would overwhelm her frame. the smaller, slightly tidier shape was perfect.
Oh, and that perfect bow in the back of her dress? I got to tie that for her after they just couldn’t get it quite right. Talk about one of the most stressful moments in my life 😂😂
It was SO HOT on this day, guys. It was over 40 celcius, and there was also a decent breeze. But you know what? When everything else has gone off plan, the hot sun doesn’t bother you quite as much. One thing did happen that took me by surprise: the pillar candles melted. MELTED. I never expected that to happen!
Trust your gut and do not let the negativity take over. This is a special time for you as a couple, focus your love and trust me from experience, everything will turn out perfectly!
I honestly think having to plan a wedding through a pandemic was the best thing that could have happened to me, because I learned how to let go. I had trust in my vendors (shout out to Lauren) who were instrumental in the success of our day. And, if you are nervous about how this new, potentially additional event, may impact your budget…speak to your vendors as they have the experience and can help guide you accordingly.
Lainie and Daniel had about 30 guests at their ceremony and reception, with one long dinner table lining the backyard. Knowing that we’re planning for part 2 of the wedding next year, the couple requested that we restrain the budget on this celebration while still making the day feel special with fresh florals. I came up with a few different options for the tabletop, and love the one they chose. The few elements that they knew off the bat they would use were the harvest tables and the copper flatware. I suggested one larger floral centrepiece in my copper bowl, set in the centre of the table in front of the newly married couple. I tucked in a few stem vases with petite florals (in the same vases that we’re planning to use for the reception next year, so we’ll have a bit of similarity), and black pillar candles and black metal candleholders.
The best advice we can give to others going through this challenging time is to focus on yourselves, focus on your love, and just do it!
Try to tune out the news, it can and will bring you down. Perhaps ask a close friend or family member to watch for any updates in case they impact your plans…and ask them to watch the weather for you. We were very fortunate that it did not rain on our day, however, it was one of the hottest days this summer…so be sure to water those flowers throughout the day and keep them cool so they stay fresh for when you need them!
Need more Covid-style intimate wedding inspiration?
Check out this Birds Hill Park elopement (they’re planning their reception for 2021!).
LOOKING FOR A WEDDING FLORAL AND EVENT DESIGNER IN WINNIPEG?
2021 wedding dates are limited! Flowers are the best way to make a statement at your wedding. Whether you already have a specific vision or want me to dream up something custom just for you, reach out to Stone House Creative for stunning bridal bouquets, truly unique ceremony backdrops, and beautiful floral centrepieces to create the perfect ambiance for your wedding!