A Positive Twist on a COVID Wedding Story
Hello beauties!
It's no secret that planning a wedding throughout the pandemic brought along some challenges for so many couples. We are honored to have been able to support and guide so many of you through this unprecedented time. So many couples had to change wedding plans, cut back on guest lists, and shift their mindsets regarding their "dream wedding." However, in speaking with one of our lovely brides during alterations, she shared a positive perspective that really resonated with us. We are pleased to welcome our first guest blogger, Mallorie!
"I was equal parts excited and nervous to go from a structured ballroom wedding to an in the woods DIY affair. Every time I went in for a fitting, the Curvy Bride team hyped me up and made me feel confident in our decision. I also want to thank you for your personalized customer service. Knowing that Michelle knew me as her “Maine Bride” and mentioned it at each appointment made me feel special and well cared for. I felt like a bride and not just a number. That little bit of customer service made me feel so confident, and really had me looking forward to my day. I can’t thank The Curvy Bride enough for helping to make my wedding dreams come true ❤️"
Oh thank you Mallorie, you are so sweet! We are so happy to feature you and your wedding on our blog. Congratulations again!!!
What was your initial wedding plan?
We planned to get married in Spring Lake, New Jersey. We booked our venue in December 2019 before covid was even a blip on the radar. We both wanted a beach wedding so we were incredibly excited to get married at the Jersey Shore!
What is your current wedding plan?
We made the change in January 2021 to do a destination wedding. (tomorrow- AHH 🙀) we will be getting married at Acadia National Park on the east coast of Maine. We are hosting a back yard reception for our 25 guests.
Why did you change your plan?
We were so disheartened that our original vision would not come to fruition. That was a bitter pill to swallow. At the time we made the switch, restrictions would not allow for a cocktail hour, dance floor, or even the ceremony we originally planned. We also faced tight restrictions on masks, and head counts. We also couldn’t get a permit to secure our ceremony spot due to the executive order, and we were unsure how long it would remain in effect. This meant no beach wedding, and that was 1 part of our vision we were not willing to budge on.
It was so hard to plan around the what if’s in this unprecedented time. it was also challenging to put more of our savings into a wedding that no longer felt like our vision. Much like so many couples, we sat back and waited to see what the world would be like and we were not confident we would have the day of our dreams with 200 guests in June of 2021. Taking all things into consideration (health, safety, and financial) we decided to plan a small destination wedding with immediate family and close friends!
How and why did you chose to get married in Maine?
We sat down and did a lot of research! We wanted our wedding somewhere within a drivable distance. We also wanted a naturally beautiful location that our guests would enjoy. Going back to our initial vision, we wanted a beach wedding too. We looked at many places but Maine had so much to offer. It hit all our boxes and then some!
How did you plan the ceremony?
After deciding on a location, we researched our next steps. We contacted the national park and booked a permit for our slot. It was a very easy process.
How did you plan the reception?
We decided from day 1 we did not want to book a hotel/banquet hall. We wanted an intimate backyard reception on a nice property. We spent a lot of time researching online listings and found the perfect house on Vrbo. It is AWESOME! We are right on the water and the house has so many wonderful amenities. The owner allows events on the property and has been so accommodating and accessible to answer questions, and provide guidance for our rental company.
What are you most looking forward to on wedding day?
The ceremony. For me (Mallorie) the hardest part was not having the ceremony I wanted. That’s the most important part of the day. I could have lived with many other restrictions, but it didn’t feel right to compromise on our ceremony vision. At the end of the day, we found our dream wedding venue that is safe for us, our family, friends, and vendors. We can come back to it at any time in our lives to honor that commitment.
What advice would you give other couples who are considering a destination wedding?
I might be biased but I say DO IT! It’s such a cost effective way to have your cake and eat it too. It might take more research and creative thinking but it’s worthwhile. I recommend joining wedding Facebook groups for the area you plan to get married. Look for elopement services, search for vendors on the knot, zola wedding wire etc. if a backyard tented wedding is your jam, do hire a day of coordinator and/or banquet staff to help with the set up and execution of the day. Even small weddings need assistance to ensure the food is hot, the candles are lit, and final deliveries are received. Our coordinator ensured that the cocktail hour and reception ran smoothly so we could sit back and enjoy our time with our guests.
Post wedding thoughts:
What was your favorite part about your wedding?
Honestly that our wedding was more than just one day. It gave us more time to spend with our friends and family, who we don’t often see in one place at the same time. Many of our guests took extended time off to enjoy the trip! The day before our wedding, the groomsmen went on a deep sea fishing trip while the ladies sipped mimosas, hung out, and got some last minute things together for the wedding.
Instead of a traditional rehearsal dinner, we took a private walking ghost tour of historic Bar Harbor. I was a-little nervous about doing something so unconventional, but it was fantastic! Our tour was personalized, and all our guests raved about it. It was a great ice breaker for a smaller group and gave everyone a chance to see the downtown area and enjoy its history in a fun and unique way.
Our guests also enjoyed exploring other areas of the park, some even taking a trip up Cadillac mountain to watch the sunrise! It made us happy to know our guests not only had a good time at our wedding, but also took some well deserved rest and relaxation.
How was your actual wedding day?
Our wedding was incredible! We had the perfect weather day and so many of our guests said it was the most beautiful wedding they’ve ever attended. We were nervous about little things like not having tastings, no trials, and booking our wedding venues sight unseen. We did it all without the help of a planner. It took a lot of time to locate vendors, but so many of the professionals we contacted gave us referrals from their network. The day came together like a puzzle and while it was not without its flaws, our guests didn’t notice the little things that were not picture perfect. Our wedding was spectacular and we would not change a thing!
Any advice for newly engaged couples interested in planning a destination wedding?
In retrospective, the day goes by so quickly. Make a plan, have a schedule, over communicate with your bridal party, vendors, guests, and friends and it will be a day to remember!
If you a a total DIY bride like myself, I strongly consider hiring a day of coordinator. While our ceremony was easy to coordinate, Our reception would have been a disaster if not for our coordinator, Mary. She made sure the cake was delivered and on display. She also handled any last minute preparations for our DJ. She ensured that the candles were lit, the food was warm, and that we kept to our schedule.
Were you afraid that your dress did not match your new venue?
Nope! I decided early on that my venue would not dictate my dress choice.
The wonderful team at The Curvy Bride made me feel like a literal princess. I never doubted that my dress wouldn’t fit the setting because at the end of the day, a bride is her most beautiful when she is feeling confident and radiating happiness. I stomped through the woods and climbed up part of a cliff in my ball gown and I would do it again in a heart beat. My dress was everything I ever wanted!
How was traveling with your dress?
It was fine! My dress held up well. I took it out of the bag and hung it in a dark closet 2 nights before the wedding. I also touched up some of the horse hair edges with a steamer. Michelle and the team showed me how to care for my dress which was so helpful. If you are planning to have a destination wedding, chat with your bridal dress consultant and they can help you pick out styles/fabrics that will hold up well in transit.
