A COVID-19 Wedding with a Twist: How We Tied the Knot with the Help of Kind Strangers
My husband and I share a secret that’s a little different from most couples – one that’s only now being revealed, just after our wedding day has passed. This was my second wedding, and it was just as unique for my husband. In 2020, like many couples facing pandemic restrictions, we found ourselves in a dilemma: get married legally to stay together in the US, despite the big ceremony we had planned in the UK, or risk my fiancé’s deportation. A quick Zoom session with an immigration lawyer made the answer clear – we needed to get married fast, within days.
In July 2020, we found ourselves planning a wedding in a way we never imagined. With a maximum of ten people allowed to gather, we ordered a simple dress and suit, told our parents to join us via FaceTime, and invited a few friends and colleagues to a local park. Thanks to a New York bylaw, Project Cupid, we were able to marry virtually. After an online queue and a Zoom call to verify our identities, we were granted a wedding license.
A local stranger, ordained through a Facebook post, agreed to officiate. A friend helped with the dress steaming and hair styling, while another coordinated the technology so that our parents could virtually celebrate with us from afar. We had sunflowers as our bouquet, tied with a ribbon, and even a homemade wedding cake – a real community effort. What could have been a stressful, isolated time turned into a celebration of love, support, and the kindness of strangers.
