The pandemic changed, well, everything this year. Around the world, engaged couples struggled with uncertainty and disappointment, canceling or postponing their big weddings for hopefully-safer times. But love always wins, right? Amidst the unprecedented circumstances, many couples pivoted to small weddings, elopements, virtual, and socially-distant celebrations.
Ahead, five real-life Lulus brides share their stories of backyard weddings and intimate, COVID-friendly ceremonies. If you’re wrestling with your own wedding plans or just want to be inspired, these couples will help remind you of the power of love.
Angie & Simon
Lulus Bridal style: The Infinite Glory White Maxi Dress
Why I chose it: I tried on the black version when I was picking dresses out for my bridesmaids and I loved how it hugged me just right! I chose this dress because I wanted something simple but still elegant.
Our venue(s): Our original venue was Hudson Loft, an industrial loft in downtown Los Angeles. We ended up having a mini wedding ceremony in a backyard!
How we made it safe and special: We only invited immediate family.
Why we didn’t postpone: We postponed our big wedding (at our original venue with all of our contracted vendors) to January 2021, but still decided to get married in 2020. We actually went from planning a September wedding to actually getting married in June!
My favorite memory: I actually loved that it was such a small wedding. We had 14 people, including Simon and me. It was nice to not have to stress too much, and really enjoy the moment with Simon.
The advice I’d give other brides right now: Don’t feel bad about celebrating or having a backyard wedding, even though other people may be going through tough times. You are still a bride and this is a once in a lifetime moment. Treasure it!
Giovanna and Jude
Lulus Bridal style: I actually had three Lulus dresses to choose from at our house for our wedding day: Romance Dreamer White Lace Off-the-Shoulder Maxi Dress, Make Me Move White Maxi Dress, and Song of Love White Off-the-Shoulder Maxi Dress, which I ultimately chose!
Why I chose it: I needed quality dresses that I knew would make me feel pretty but that could be delivered in a timely matter! The Song of Love dress was perfect because we danced to Leo Slayers’ “You Make Me Feel Like Dancing” during our photos. Two of our best friends were also in Lulus dresses!
Venue(s): Our original venue was a place called The Post in Fort Worth, Texas. We still fully intend on having a reception there when we can safely have 200 people attend–without having to wear masks. We ended up having a small wedding off Dillion Lake in Colorado. Our plan is to play our wedding video on a screen while we party! That could be a year or more away but are excited to relive it with all our friends and family.
How we made it safe and special: We only invited 10 people, one of whom lives with us. Safety was our biggest concern: Half of us are in the medical field so we are familiar with what precautions we needed to take. Though we still had close friends and family we wish could have been there, our elopement was still special. One of our bridesmaids was also our photographer and one of our best friends got ordained to marry us. It was sweet!
Why we didn’t postpone: We were presented with the option to put it off for the foreseeable future or do it in the next few weeks, and we chose the latter. It was the best decision because I’m so obsessed with calling her my wife.
Our favorite moments: Giovanna: Our vows which we wrote ourselves on seed paper to be planted. Jude: We also did a small sentimental gift exchange. Four years ago my Nana died and I was given a ring of hers that broke just days later. I never got it fixed, I just held onto it. Gio had the pearl put back into it for our exchange. I’m so lucky to have married someone like her.
The advice we’d give other brides right now: Don’t be afraid to have something intimate now and postpone your big reception until it’s safe. People will understand. It’s the responsible thing to do!
Brittany & Jeff
Lulus Bridal style: Infinite Love Story Ivory Lace Lace-Up Maxi Dress
Why I chose it: I loved the delicate lace and that it had a lace-up open back with a slit in the front. I definitely felt like a bride in this dress.
Our venue(s): Our original venue was going to be the Ole Hanson Beach Club in San Clemente, CA. However, we ended up having a backyard wedding at my parent’s house in Coronado, CA.
How we made it safe and special: We made it safe by drastically dropping our guest count from 130 people to just 10 of our immediate family members, celebrating outside with socially-distanced seating, and plenty of hand sanitizer. The father/daughter and mother/son dances made it special, as did the impromptu toasts from our whole family and our amazing white velvet wedding cake.
Why we didn’t postpone: We chose not to postpone our actual wedding ceremony because we were so ready to be husband and wife. COVID had taken so much from us already. We weren’t going to let it take away the vows and commitment we were ready to make for each other. We did reschedule the big reception to April 2021. We’re hopeful we will be able to celebrate safely with all of our family and friends at our original venue.
My favorite moment: My favorite moment was definitely walking down the aisle and seeing Jeff at the end of it with the sweetest smile on his face. My favorite memory, however, was when all 10 of us were slow dancing in the backyard to my sister and brother-in-law’s first dance song; “Don’t Want to Miss a Thing” by Aerosmith. It was just so intimate, emotional, and perfect.
The advice I’d give other brides right now: If you’re considering postponing but still want to get married on your original date, then you 100% should. Elopements and small weddings remind us that it’s not so much about the wedding day, but the marriage that follows.
Kendall & Mohamed
Lulus Bridal style: Enticing Endeavors White Jumpsuit
Why I chose it: I really wanted something classic and beautiful, but I didn’t want to wear a dress because I will be having an actual wedding ceremony in a few years. Hence, the jumpsuit!
Our venue(s): Our original venue was a ballroom space in Atlanta, GA. We decided to go to Gamble Garden in Palo Alto for our ceremony.
How we made it safe and special: I had my mother and sister on FaceTime to witness everything. We also took pictures at the beautiful Gamble Garden and went out to eat afterward.
Why we didn’t postpone: We chose not to postpone because we have been engaged for a few years now and we really wanted to be a married couple in our new home. We plan to have a ceremony at a later date and I am still continuing to plan and think of new things every day. I am really excited to be able to plan with no pressure.
My favorite memory: Taking pictures and going out to eat afterwards was a really great experience.
The advice I’d give other brides right now: Use this time to your advantage! More time to plan or save up more money for your big day! Everything will be so much better once COVID-19 is over and you can celebrate with all your family and friends!
Jenny & Garrett
Lulus Bridal style: Everlasting Beauty Lace Back Gown
Why I chose it: I knew I wanted to save my custom wedding dress for my original venue, no matter what. So, for our COVID-friendly minimony, I chose the Everlasting Beauty–even its name sounds wedding-appropriate! The dress was light, airy, casual, and comfortable enough for an intimate small backyard wedding, but still elegant. It was also completely different from my original dress, allowing me a whole new look for this day.
Our venue(s): Our original venue was a hotel in Half Moon Bay, CA with an outdoor garden that overlooks the Pacific Ocean, a glass atrium, and grand ballroom. We ended up getting married in our best friend’s backyard at the house where we met. It’s where we first kissed, fell in love, got a puppy together, and spent so much of our relationship! Bonus: Our original venue didn’t allow dogs, so here we got to have Cali, our fur-baby, as our flower dog!
How we made it safe and special: Safety was our number 1 priority. We both have large families and I’m lucky enough to have three grandparents with me, as well. There was no way we would expose our family, especially the elderly, to any chance of infection. As such, we made the difficult decision to keep all family virtual to keep things fair for everyone. The only people with us were our 10 closest friends. They became our bridal party and took on tasks to help put the wedding together. One registered as a minister online to officiate. Two others became the photographers. Another recorded it and managed the Zoom aspect. It felt like a true wedding, one we could not have pulled off without their help.
Why we didn’t postpone: My husband, Garret, and I have been together for six years. In that time, we have experienced so many huge life milestones together–passing the CA Bar Exam, buying a house, and landing a dream job. We just didn’t wait to wait any longer to experience another big life moment. Additionally, the date is special to us as it was exactly 1.5 years from our engagement–and a “lucky date” in my lunar calendar. We had signs and favors already printed with our date. We knew we were getting married that day one way or another!
My favorite moment: It was such a special day, I can’t pick just one! My favorite moment was definitely hearing the words “you are now man and wife.” At that moment, I forgot that nothing went to plan and everything was perfect. Also: Dancing under the stars in the backyard and having all our friends (and our dog!) dance alongside us on a beautiful, breezy evening, and the amazing transformation of this backyard into a wedding space.
The advice I’d give other brides right now: Enjoy the moment and remember what really matters–I don’t say that lightly either. I am a huge control freak and take great pleasure in organizing and planning. Also, I am/was absolutely the girl who watched Say Yes to the Dress since high school and thought of wedding themes and colors years before getting engaged. Planning a wedding was so much fun and I was extremely disappointed when it couldn’t be the way I imagined.
However, May 30th, 2020, was truly one of the most special days of my life. Our backyard wedding really was a reflection in the purest form of the love Garret and I had for each other, but also the love our friends and family have for us. Everyone’s outpouring of support and comfort meant so much and we really created a one of a kind story of our beginnings as a married couple that we’ll never forget. I think as long as brides remember that’s what matters most (you and your partner starting life as a married couple), everything else will be alright.
Did you wear Lulus at your small wedding? Show us your at-home, virtual, backyard weddings and elopements on Instagram @Lulusweddings using #lulusweddings. Still planning? Shop our Bridal selection!
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