S + J – The Art of the COVID Elopement Pivot

The couple that succeeds at the COVID elopement pivot can succeed at anything.

When March 2020 came around Light Preserves began to receive all of the cancellations and reschedules. We anticipated that our couples might be in for quite the year. One of our couples was determined to have the wedding of their dreams regardless of the circumstances. Despite being postponed on March 2020 until November 2020 they ended up having the wedding of their dreams.

They reschedule not once but twice. March turns into August, August turns into November. But ultimately, ditching their original plans gave them room for all of the things they actually wanted.

NOVEMBER 28

We arrive at a home and scale up a steep and curvy driveway. And just around the corner and at the horizon appears this big, beautiful home overlooking Carmel by the Sea. The grand double staircase at the front tells me everything I need to know about the property.

We greet the families and the groom and part ways. Fabian and Patrick (our videographer) with Jared, the groom, and the other gentlemen.

I head down a long hallway to meet with Stacia, the bride. She is as cool as a cucumber and starting on her own makeup while her mom relaxes in the room.

Jared is in the other room getting dressed with his father. He looks nervous but ready. They’ve waited this long, nothing will stop him from marrying his bride.

Once they’re ready, Jared heads out the door while Stacia sneaks up behind him. They’ve agreed to meeting at the alter, but Stacia decides to tease him a bit. You can see the butterflies welling up in Jared’s stomach. as he hears her footsteps behind him. Anxiously, he takes his place at the top of the stairs.

Stacia’s brother completes her look and helps her strap on her shoes. She takes his arm and they begin their walk down the aisle. Her brother will also be officiating.

Jared is floored by his bride. He’s in tears as she walks up the steps to meet him. I can see the weight from the last few months slip from his shoulders. He’s finally meeting his bride. They have finally made it.

They exchange vows and mention the long wait lightheartedly. Their entire wedding is an expression of gratitude to the family members who are able to attend despite COVID. They share their first kiss and walk down the stairs excitedly. We head for a quick adventure at a local beach while their families enjoy a cocktail hour.

Between the couple, nothing has changed. They happily exchange accounts of their days and experiences. We climb rocks together. They tell us their funny love stories and enjoy an adventure in their wedding attire. Everyone on the beach can’t help but congratulate them on their nuptials.

On their adventure they show us what the meaning of teamwork is. They physically display the reason they were able to survive such an ordeal. Because they are able to conquer the task of sudden plan changes, traversing the rocky shores of Carmel by the Sea looks like a breeze for them.

We head back to the house greeted by their imbibing guests. They all seat themselves for their intimate dinner. A dinner made lovingly created by Elaine Dakkesian of Tres Bien. Side note* Easily the best meal I’ve had at a wedding. Just another result of keeping it intimate, you get to splurge on the things that are really important to you, for Stacia & Jared, it was the food.

Their families toasted to their love and success. Although being that their wedding survived two postponements they seem to be the types that can survive just about anything. And when it was all over, they were given a proper sendoff by their family, completing the evening with fireworks.

NOVEMBER 29

A quick trip to their rocky beach didn’t satisfy these two. The next day they two took us on a quick tour of a place they regularly call “home” for part of the year. We visit parts of the Carmel by the Sea forest I thought I’d never see. Taking back roads I would have never taken on my own achieves for us beautiful views and interesting nooks. You can just tell that being together was an absolute splurge for these busy business owners. Even being a COVID elopement, they took advantage of every opportunity to make it their own. Their postponed wedding turned out to be the perfect excuse to do exactly what they wanted all along.

Fill out our contact form to find out how we can help plan your perfect elopement. If this couple can have a successful COVID elopement, you can have that dream wedding too!