Sorry if y’all want a break from…the situation, but bear with me another moment. I find such charm in anything tiny and, between you and me, my secret wish was always to have an intimate little wedding (too much Anne of Green Gables, perhaps?). So, these days my imagination is in overdrive. As always, my heart truly goes out to all the couples whose wedding plans were upended from one moment to the next, and to the wedding vendors whose businesses have been so badly impacted. Let’s daven that Hashem make this plague end as quickly as it started so we can return to life as we knew it. And an especially fervent prayer for those who need a refuah shelaima. This is so huge and overwhelming, it’s so clear that only Hashem can make things right.
Things move so quickly; last week, a backyard wedding of fifty seemed perfectly reasonable, but even that is out of reach at this point, understandably. So the next plan is a wedding at home for immediate family only (and only if they live in the area). I was thinking about how to make this fresh and different and I came up with the idea of brunch. Since we’d be like, I dunno, 20 people (wildly guesstimating — also I should add that by next week this might seem like way too many…), it could be pulled together pretty quickly and still be nice. I mean, this is basically a marriage ceremony, not a wedding.
Disclaimer: What’s considered safe or prudent changes rapidly; by the time you read the below it may seem pie-in-the-sky. Please know that I would never encourage anyone to do what feels even a bit unsafe, and certainly not to violate local health guidelines.
The Venue
My living room and dining room (chuppah + food). Gosh, how do you have a chuppah in your living room? I mean, it’s possible of course, but this is all so wild!
The Guest List
Immediate family only. And we’ll need two eidim. Not sure about hiring a photographer. Maybe for an outdoor photo shoot.
The Invitations
Via text/phone call.
The Gown
Assuming I have the one, I’ll wear that. Or find one to borrow. Or wear something else entirely.
The Look
Looks like my sisters will be helping out with hair and makeup. We’ll order whatever we need online. And hopefully the grocery store will have a pretty bouquet!
The Menu
We’ll order pastries and sandwiches from a cafe and serve that with juice, coffee, and champagne 😉 to go.
The Music
Playlist and iPhone speakers.
What am I forgetting? Also…how are you doing?
A wedding for 20 can still be outdoors. Pretty soon indoor gatherings of that size might be banned so you’d be back to the first plan! These plans sound great to me. I better hurry up and get married before it’s out of vogue.
Don’t forget a mesader kiddushin (unless he’s counted in immediate family) and a yichud room (a clean bedroom?)
I think a fleishig menu is more befitting the occasion. You can have your tiny theme in tiny things like egg rolls, sliders, that kind of thing.
Mazel tov, don’t forget a live stream for your virtual friends 🙂
It’s true that outdoors is probably safer and smarter! I just didn’t think it was k’dai renting a tent for 20 but that could be worked around (deck with an awning, or just good weather?).
I know, I am totally obsessing over the idea of a small, homey wedding — maybe when this is all over, it will still be considered an acceptable option. I do think we’re all learning to appreciate what really matters about our simchas…
You’re probably right about serving fleishigs. Ah, well, all those Pinterest brunch weddings looked so pretty 😉
And for sure, it’s not a simcha (quite literally) unless there’s a Zoom link.