I don’t think I can say enough how much I feel for the 2020 couples who were planning on getting married in front of their loved ones. It breaks my heart because I’m a newlywed, and I KNOW how hard it is to plan everything to a tee for MONTHS. I know what it feels like to dwell over that guest list… “should we include plus ones?!” “will they hate us for not inviting X?!” “how do we narrow family"?!” … it’s tough. I know what it feels like to have your heart set on a venue. I know what it feels like to work around a budget. I know what it feels like to cut costs and save up. I know what it feels like to be excited for that bachelorette ( or in my case a joint) getaway beforehand. I know those knots you get when thinking about all your loved ones under one roof celebrating YOU… and seeing faces you haven’t seen in a while. Imagining whether or not you’ll trip down that isle, wearing the dress that you so carefully chose. Having a vision of your “theme” come to life, whether it’s the flowers, decor, table setting, food, or little details that make it unique to YOU. Thinking of that first dance as a married couple or thinking of a full, packed dance floor. SO MANY THOUGHTS as you prepare for that big day. I get it. But I can only imagine how it would feel to have all that stripped from you, uncontrollably. Life is hard sometimes, and it’s okay to feel defeated, sad, or discouraged. But I do believe in silver linings, and I hope that in midst of it all, you and your partner can find that sliver of light.

Martine + Matt did just that! They rescheduled their wedding to 2021 (as with most couples), but decided to get married in their beautiful St. Augustine church on the original date they chose. It was a micro wedding along the hudson river of 30+ guests, which was mostly family. Everyone wore a mask. Everyone stayed within proximity of their household. Everyone was respectful. And at the end of the day, they were married! It was surely a different sight to see, but comforting nonetheless. Always grateful to be able to capture such a special moments in people’s lives. I’m here not only to be a photographer for ya, but also a friend and a support throughout this crazy process. Here’s a few snippets of their day :)

Ok hi, folks! It’s been a month since Sarah’s wedding, which means we’ve been in this lockdown for approximately the same amount of time now. I can remember so vividly the order of events New York and New Jersey started implementing restrictions and rules. Just a week before their wedding, the state’s recommendation were no gatherings larger than 200 people. I remember face timing her that weekend to check up on her and whether or not they would still move forward with everything. on Monday (3/16), the state implemented no gatherings larger than 50 people. Their venue canceled, vendors cancelled, honeymoon cancelled. Everything seemed to be happening so last minute. I mean it was LESS THAN FIVE DAYS away. After planning your wedding for more than a year, having that control pulled away from you at the last possible second can just make you feel absolutely defeated and heartbroken. But they just wanted to marry each other, and they did just that. It was intimate, with a total attendance of less than 20 people. They were surrounded by their parents, siblings, officiant, and that’s it. They got married that Friday, March 20th, 2020 (in open air) on the beach at Strathmere, New Jersey, and by the end of the day they called each other husband and wife. That following Saturday, the state implemented no weddings and gatherings AT ALL. It probably didn’t seem like it at the time, but they were lucky (in a sense) and they just made it! I know that it’s not exactly as planned, but they will have their celebration with all their loved ones once this passes. For now, they can enjoy each other’s company in quarantine as HUSBAND and WIFE :) I’m fortunate enough to witness this love.

Hudson Valley Microwedding | Martine + Matt

An Intimate Wedding During Coronavirus Pandemic