“Originally we had planned a large wedding with over 250 guests. When Covid-19 began to spread through the US we quickly realized our wedding plans were going to change,” said bride Delaney, who wed her now husband Bennet during an intimate elopement on the beach of The Current Hotel in Tampa, where it was just them, the officiant, and their photographers from Lifelong Photography Studio.
Added Delaney: “Although we couldn’t have guests, we made it a point to FaceTime both of our families throughout the day. My bridal party and my mother video chatted with me while I had my hair and makeup done and Bennet was able to chat with each of his groomsmen before the ceremony. The most meaningful and emotional part of all of this was when we were able to FaceTime my father before I walked down the aisle. There wasn’t a dry eye between us! It was so special for him to be able to see me since he wasn’t able to walk me down the aisle. After the ceremony we celebrated with our families via video chat. Bennet’s family even surprised us by being dressed to the nines and having champagne in hand!”
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With a clean and classic palette of blues and white, Delaney used her already purchased bouquet from The Faux Bouquets on Etsy, which became the centerpiece of the wedding.
“We had planned to decorate our space with blue and white flowers centerpieces, classic white table cloths with gold charger plates and blue napkins,” said Delaney. “I had even spray painted over 200 charger plates when I couldn’t find exactly what I wanted! We ended up focusing on our location over decor. We chose to switch our venue last minute and it truly made for a beautiful ceremony and stunning by photos!”
See the beautiful pictures from their special day below, as well as read more tips from Delaney on how it all came together despite the crazy circumstances.
How did you meet? Tell us about the proposal.
We met on the dating app Bumble! I was in grad school and he was working and he swept me off my feet. We both agree that our first date was the best first date we had ever been on. Little did we know that it would be our last first date! It was so good in face that Bennet brought me back to the same restaurant and recreated our first date when he proposed to me! He even had my favorite dessert and champagne waiting inside after I said yes! The man knows that sweets are the way to my heart!
What was the most anticipated or special moment of your wedding day?
Reading our own vows that we had written ourselves was the most special part of our wedding day for me (Bennet might say that it was when he opened his Millennium Falcon LEGOs that I bought him as a wedding gift). I finally, after almost 4 years of teasing him, told him that I loved him to the moon and allllll the way back. We were surprised by just how similar our vows were and it made it even more special that we were able to focus on just one another during our ceremony.
Do you have any wedding planning or marriage advice that you’d like to share with other couples planning their day?
My advice would be to keep everything in perspective. I was told repeatedly throughout our wedding planning process, more specifically as our wedding planning was unraveling due to Covid-19, how well I was handing it all. My response was always that it’s nothing I can control and in the end I would still end up married to Bennet, which was all the mattered. Was I disappointed that all my hard work and planning wasn’t able to come to fruition? Absolutely. Is there anything I would change about my wedding day? Not a thing. I was able to marry the love of my life. Everything else is just extra.
Floral Designer: The Faux Bouquets//Officiant: Sensational Ceremonies//Makeup Artist: Kylelynn Cosmetics//Cake Designer: Publix//Bakery: Publix//Dress Store: NY Bride & Groom Raleigh//Event Venue: The Current Hotel//Photographer: Lifelong Photography Studio
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