After their wedding plans were altered not once, but twice, by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, a Surrey couple decided the best solution was to keep it simple, so they decided to get married at home.
Or close to home, at least.
Last weekend, Suzanne Schmidt and Andrew Sturgess tied the knot in South SurreyB次元官网网址檚 Bakerview Park, with no guests present aside from their two daughters B次元官网网址� Zoey, 6 and Tessa, 2 B次元官网网址� an officiant, a photographer and, Schmidt noted, B次元官网网址渟ome neighbours we have become close withB次元官网网址� watching from their own windows and patios.
B次元官网网址淲e decided on Bakerview Park because it is actually our backyard,B次元官网网址� Schmidt explained.
B次元官网网址淥ur condo backs right into the park and we live on the ground floor. It meant that although much of our family and friends couldnB次元官网网址檛 be present, our neighbours who we have become close with over the pandemic could join in our celebration from their balconies.B次元官网网址�
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Originally, they planned to get married in New Zealand B次元官网网址� where Sturgess is from, and where the pair met nine years ago B次元官网网址� in front of 90 friends and family members. However, when COVID-19 restrictions limited travel and gatherings they adjusted on the fly and decided on a local wedding, in South SurreyB次元官网网址檚 Redwood Park, which was to be attended by 14 physically-distanced guests.
But plans changed again when the newest set of public-health measures was announced, as the province B次元官网网址� the Fraser Health region in particular B次元官网网址� fights through a second wave of the virus that has seen positive test numbers skyrocket in recent weeks.
B次元官网网址淥ut of respect, we decided to just elope in our backyard,B次元官网网址� Schmidt said, noting that the scaled-down event meant that her brother and his fiancee, who is a nurse, stayed home in Nelson.
Schmidt noted that the smaller ceremony meant a lot her because it was something she and her new husband were able to share with their daughters.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檝e had a few bumps along the road, and having kids first wasnB次元官网网址檛 the plan, but we were so thrilled to get married with our girls present, when our family felt complete,B次元官网网址� she said.
B次元官网网址淚t meant that much more to have them there.B次元官网网址�
And while a raucous celebratory reception may not have followed the Bakerview Park wedding, a celebration of the nuptials did take place on the other side of the world, as family in Auckland held a reception in their honour, and connected with the couple virtually.
B次元官网网址淭heir level of lockdown is much more relaxed and they are still able to gather. It wasnB次元官网网址檛 like being there in person, but it was so wonderful to still see our family in Auckland,B次元官网网址� Schmidt said.
Despite the logistical hurdles they had to overcome en route to finally saying B次元官网网址淚 do,B次元官网网址� in the middle of a pandemic, Schmidt said their wedding was B次元官网网址減roof that good things still happen during bad times.B次元官网网址�
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