Michelle + Eric | “Love in the Time of Corona”

Simplicity and intention for an intimate Colorado celebration during the COVID-19 pandemic.

At exactly 1:00 AM on the Feast of the Epiphany, God woke Eric up.

“It’s not unusual for me to wake up briefly in the middle of the night,” he says. But usually he could fall right back to sleep. “This night was different.” After some time tossing and turning, Eric typed Catholic Match into his phone. 

Years earlier, he’d made the decision to quit online dating, yet he followed the prompting of the heart he was experiencing, and made a profile. Michelle appeared in his results, and he says, “I knew right then and there that she was the girl I was there to see.” A shooting star, seen as he was taking out the trash, caught Eric’s attention several days later.

Like for the Magi at Epiphany, the star brought the conviction that everything was about to change.

Michelle and Eric began dating soon after, and were engaged on the sandstone cliffs of Lory State Park in Fort Collins, Colorado. Michelle’s engagement ring, crafted by a Catholic jeweler, features the cross on one side, representing the sacrifice, suffering, and faith of married life, and the Tree of Life on the other, signifying growth, joy, and family.

They made plans, and then the COVID-19 pandemic began. Through prayer, Michelle and Eric decided to move up their wedding date and hold a small, intimate ceremony and reception.

From the Couple:

Once it was clear [most of our guests] wouldn't be coming--whether because of personal choice, the government's choice, or the Church's choice--we had no reason to wait! We were pumped to push our wedding up.

Planning a wedding in four days is the most incredible excuse not to sweat the small stuff and go into it for the right reasons. We were there to marry each other. In front of God. If everything else went up in smoke, that was fine. 

We were fully expecting all kinds of blunders. It was about the sacrament. And thanks to our amazing wedding planner, Emma Dolan, the only hiccups we had were getting a few lines out of order during the prayers of the faithful and a Facebook live stream that wasn't oriented properly.

It was a wedding like no other--on a Sunday in Lent, no less--and we feel incredibly blessed. We're so grateful to all the friends who made big sacrifices to help pull it together. It couldn't have felt more Catholic: if we’d already been living together or chosen not to have a sacramental wedding, the sense of urgency and gravity would’ve probably felt very different. 

We still plan on having a Mass with a special blessing and a reception at some point in the future. Our hearts go out to our vendors, in particular, and we don't want to abandon them.

For other couples holding “pandemic weddings,” these tips helped us:

Enjoy every moment.

Don't let pride get in the way! Ask for help when pivoting. Especially in these times, your few friends and family who can attend will be honored to lend a hand.

Keep a steward mentality and remember that God doesn't owe us anything, especially a big, picturesque ceremony and reception. He's already given you your future spouse's love! The rest can't compare.

Live streaming is awesome. We had tons of people tune in, including many whom we couldn't initially invites. Make sure to put your phone in landscape mode with Facebook Live!

Never panic. Never! There's never a good excuse. Healthy concern is fine, but fear is the root of all sin and is always from Satan. It also robs us of our reasoning at the moments we need it most.

We're not sure it's even possible to have a wedding with all the current restrictions, but as soon as the shelter in place orders are lifted and it's clear that hospitals are no longer overrun, we suggest going for it if it can be done safely.

Nothing is certain, but we can do our homework, pray, and do our best. Make it about the sacrament. You don't need to wait for a large audience.

From the Photographer:

I got a text from Eric that said, "So, what are you doing in four days? It looks like we are going to have to bump up the wedding."

I have always been told that my grandparents did things simply. They gathered for a simple wedding at their church, came back to the house, had cake and punch, and told good stories with their closest friends. Their priority was investing in their home and future, rather than throwing an extravagant party.

I have always wondered what it would be like to be a part of such a gathering. Little did I know that this global pandemic would afford me the ability. 

The mood of the day was hopeful even amidst great uncertainty in the world. There was a resounding joy that seemed to elevate every moment. 

Sure, they just had to effectively reduce a 200+ person wedding to just immediate family and a few good friends. 

Sure, they had their church and venue cancel on them and tell them there was nothing they could do. 

Sure, some of their closest friends could not make it.

But they had Christ and each other. And that was enough.

I always tell my couples I like to capture the day with their grandchildren in mind. Well, I'd wager that Michelle and Eric’s grandchildren will have more than a few stories to tell about this day. 

That's the good stuff.

Photography: Joshua Paul Photography | Church: Saint John XXIII Catholic Church · Fort Collins, Colorado | Wedding Reception Venue : Private residence | Dress: Unknown | Suit: Pre-Owned | Bridesmaids Dresses: Pre-owned or borrowed | Florals: Hobby Lobby & Palmer Flowers | Cake: Donated by local cake shop - @downrightsweettreats | DJ - Grooms Cell Phone, Spotify & A Google Home Max | Catering - Local Mexican Restaurant - Cafe Mex