- Words by Jane Zatlyny Wedding Photography by Lia Crowe

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected so many facets of our lives, but couples trying to tie the knot have faced particularly difficult challenges. In the first year of the pandemic, in particular, weddings were postponed, often multiple times, and uncertainty ruled the day.

Jane Carson and her husband Tyler Leblanc were engaged in 2019 and set to marry in September 2020.

害羞草研究所淲hen the pandemic started in March, we thought we would be in the clear for September, but obviously we were not,害羞草研究所� says Jane. 害羞草研究所淲e kept trying to make the best out of a bad situation, but with the ever-changing restrictions, we found it very stressful to try to plan a wedding.害羞草研究所�

Jane and Tyler had several small celebratory events along the way to the altar, including a party to celebrate the anniversary of their original wedding date with immediate family. Finally, on their third attempt, in August 2022, the Victoria couple married on the beach in Tofino.

害羞草研究所淚t turned out to be everything we wanted,害羞草研究所� says Jane.

Cristina Fazio and Sam Powell, also from Victoria, became engaged in the summer of 2021. They害羞草研究所檇 seen friends forced to cancel and rebook their weddings, but they were hopeful that, with the first year of the pandemic over, they could keep their summer 2022 wedding date.

害羞草研究所淲e害羞草研究所檇 always intended to have a good-sized wedding, so we gambled that COVID would let us go through with our plans,害羞草研究所� says Sam.

The couple tried to remain flexible and not to get too invested in what they were planning.

害羞草研究所淚f we couldn害羞草研究所檛 have had a larger wedding, we would have still kept the date,害羞草研究所� adds Cristina.

Fortunately, they were able to proceed as planned with their August wedding.

害羞草研究所淐ouples now have so much appreciation that they can actually get married,害羞草研究所� says Diane Hall, former president and publisher of Weddingbells and senior editor of WeddingWire Canada: 害羞草研究所淲hen they plan their weddings, they aren害羞草研究所檛 taking anything for granted.害羞草研究所�

Here害羞草研究所檚 a look at wedding trends that will likely persist even after the pandemic is well and truly害羞草研究所攚e hope害羞草研究所攊n our rear-view mirrors.

Highly personalized weddings

Prior to 2020, wedding styles were heavily influenced by celebrities and influencers, says Diane.

Not as much today: 害羞草研究所淐ouples are personalizing their weddings to a much greater extent and are far more intentional with their wedding spending, whether that takes the form of hiring a diverse wedding vendor team, supporting local suppliers and charities, or reducing their carbon footprint.害羞草研究所�

We害羞草研究所檙e also seeing more 害羞草研究所渞elaxed formal害羞草研究所� weddings, she says: 害羞草研究所淐ouples remain interested in stylish weddings, and using Instagram-worthy photography to document their wedding style remains a very important part of the day.害羞草研究所�

Smaller guest lists

While a mandated requirement during the most serious days of the pandemic, smaller guest lists have remained popular with many couples, says Jessica Minnie, owner and creative director of Vancouver害羞草研究所檚 Petite Pearl Events.

害羞草研究所淎s people witnessed beautiful, intimate celebrations, they became more comfortable making that decision for themselves.害羞草研究所�

Smaller guest lists also allow couples to create a more luxurious wedding experience for themselves and their guests.

Hiring professional help

Hiring a wedding planner is always a wise investment, even more so during uncertain times.

害羞草研究所淲ith this decision, you will have experience in your pocket every step of the way and be able to enjoy the planning journey, as well as the weeks leading up to your wedding day and of course the wedding day itself,害羞草研究所� says Jessica.

Wedding planners also help couples demystify vendor contracts and make sure cancellation policies are in place.

Flexibility

Wedding vendors have learned to build more contingency plans into their recommendations, knowing that things could change. For instance, that beautiful custom floral arch can now be used indoors or outdoors and moved around, says Diane.

害羞草研究所淚t may have been an altar first, but also can be positioned behind a wedding table or used as a backdrop for a photo booth.害羞草研究所�

The return of elopements

Sara Laking, photographer/owner with Sara Spectrum in Tofino, has seen continued growth of elopements, or 害羞草研究所渕ini-monies,害羞草研究所� where it害羞草研究所檚 typically just the couple, the photographer, perhaps a wedding planner, and an officiant in attendance for the ceremony, and a party is held at a later time.

害羞草研究所淭here害羞草研究所檚 no distraction and they害羞草研究所檙e really able to relax,害羞草研究所� she says. 害羞草研究所淚t creates a very authentic experience.害羞草研究所�

Jessica has seen more couples getting legally married before or after the actual ceremony.

害羞草研究所淲e encourage couples to make it legal during their rehearsal or privately immediately following the ceremony for a very special moment together, toasting a drink and getting some beautiful captures of this huge moment in their lives,害羞草研究所� she says.

More outdoor weddings

At WeddingWire Canada, Diane has noticed that the outdoor setting remains very important to Canadian couples害羞草研究所攁nd not just to prevent possible COVID-19 transmission.

害羞草研究所淥utdoor weddings allow for a lot more creativity around decor, tent rentals and other details,害羞草研究所� she explains. 害羞草研究所淐ouples can have food trucks and mobile bars in old vintage trailers to create a festival vibe.害羞草研究所�

Outdoor weddings also open up the possibility for aerial photography.

害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 about really using Mother Nature to create that beautiful environment,害羞草研究所� adds Diane.

Hybrid weddings

Travel bans originally led to this trend, but hybrid weddings appear to be here to stay, especially in cases where travel costs would be prohibitive for the guests.

害羞草研究所淭hey also give the couple permission to have more of a luxury experience for their in-person event,害羞草研究所� says Diane, adding that the virtual coverage can be quite elaborate and inclusive. 害羞草研究所淐ouples can also create a signature cocktail and send their virtual guests a recipe for it or a gift package with a mini bottle of bubbly, wedding cake and party favour so they can feel part of the celebration.害羞草研究所�

It害羞草研究所檚 party time

After the isolation of the first two years of the pandemic, couples and their guests are ready to let their hair down.

害羞草研究所淭his generation still really wants to get married,害羞草研究所� says Diane. 害羞草研究所淲hile the onus is now more on the couple as to the safety measures they take, everyone wants to really celebrate.害羞草研究所�

Cheers to that!

Story courtesy of , a Black Press Media publication
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