IT’S THE SMALL THINGS
Alex Eduque
Last week, I said I would share some realizations I had as a pandemic bride this week. Like many other things in life, this pandemic surely shifted perspectives in a multitude of and in multiple ways when it came to weddings. For one, gone are the extravagant celebrations. Guest lists have been cut down drastically and condensed to only immediate family. Zoom is the new norm for a lot of attendees, and these intimate weddings have definitely emphasized what is truly important in the celebration of a wedding. At the end of the day, it is the marriage that matters and it is the love that should be celebrated – forever, and always.
Weddings celebrated in the time of corona will become a part of history. The masks, the face shields, the empty churches and the virtual celebration. Yet, the happiness is still there, and the love still overflows. While a lot of dreams have been sacrificed, I personally feel that more dreams have been fulfilled – just being able to tie the knot at a time so uncertain, unprecedented and unpredictable is the biggest blessing in and of itself. At a time when anything can happen, having that special moment and being able to begin a new chapter and open a window to forever is what we should be truly grateful for. Heck, the big party can follow if you really want it to – in five, ten, or twenty-five years’ time!
Planning a wedding in the time of pandemic gives you the opportunity to get to know your partner more. It gives you a glimpse of how they handle stress and roll with the punches. It also shows you early on if your values are aligned, and if you prioritize the same matters – very crucial and important aspects to a successful marriage (in the opinion of someone who has been married eight months). A lot of non-negotiables will surface in challenging times that may otherwise may be shielded during rosier days.
Lastly, it allows you to de-clutter, re-prioritize, and save for permanent things. It allows you to re-think who the most important people in your lives are, what are needs versus wants, and re-allocate what would have been spent in your wedding budget to perhaps furniture, art pieces, or savings for the years to come. Getting married in the time of a pandemic is definitely more budget friendly without compromising what truly matters most. It allows you to relish in the small things, and make you realize that those truly are the big things.
Blessings come in all sizes, shapes and forms. Sometimes, the biggest ones can pass us by if we choose not to take a moment to pause and acknowledge it. Living with an attitude of gratitude and a grateful heart does more for our well-being than we can ever give it credit for. Stay safe, stay positive, and stay well.