It’s time for us to tell our own covid-impacted backyard ceremony story. Like many of you this year, our wedding did not go as planned. Ten years ago, when I started freelancing – I have to be honest, I never really imagined my own wedding. Wedding photography was just a job. But then I met Steve, fell in love and he joined me on this crazy journey. We became Fox & Hare. Each time we were out on a job, I suddenly found myself having moments of fantasizing about what our wedding would be like someday. Three years ago, we decided on October 3rd, 2020. Because our anniversary of togetherness was September 3rd. So we didn’t want to change that date around too much, but we really love October weddings. At the time, we were already booking jobs for 2018 and 2019.. so it just made sense to wait until 2020 so we could finally carve out time for ourselves. Plus, the number “2020” sounded perfect. Lo and behold, October 3rd landed on a Saturday in 2020. So we tentatively set the date.
Then, two Summers ago, we made it official when Steve proposed and we started planning for real. Well I think you all know what happened. When the pandemic began, we thought there was no way it was going to affect October. We helped our own couples shift and postpone plans. The entire time we worried about what was going to happen to our date, the date we chose 3 years ago.
It was with heavy hearts and exhaustion that we had to move our bigger plans to next year. But there was no way we were going to let the original date pass by without still doing SOMETHING. Besides, after nine years of being together, we just couldn’t wait any longer. It was time to put 10 years of wedding knowledge to work, and re-plan for a backyard ceremony.
We faced additional challenges leading up to the backyard ceremony. We chose my grandma’s house in Florham Park because she has the most space in her backyard. Also, we wanted to choose somewhere easy for her. It was really important for us that she would be able to attend the ceremony safely. Then, the week leading up to the backyard ceremony – she had to be admitted into the hospital.
Thankfully, it wasn’t covid-related. But she had to get a pacemaker put in. After much stress and lots of tears, my grandma came home two days prior to the ceremony.
The weather was perfect for a backyard ceremony. There were a few hiccups along the way, but everything turned out beautifully. This time has been a challenge for us all. It’s tested our patience, anxiety and sanity. But we are definitely excited to have gotten married and even more excited to party again next year. ???????????????????????? An entirely other wedding has been planned and we just hope that it can happen! Just remember that love is the answer.
It’s about time we share more photos from our own backyard ceremony on 10.3.20. Here’s Part 1 of our wedding celebration!
Spent the morning setting up together, left to shower and get my hair done. Came back to finish setting up. *Sweating just thinking about it, lol.*
Getting ready together because we had already spent half the day setting up together anyway, so why the hell not! lol.
I really didn’t want to walk down the aisle alone this time around. My parents will walk me down next year. We chose to walk together since this was all so non-traditional, anyway!
My grandma is my rock and we were so overjoyed that she could be there.
Sooo, the catering came about an hour too early, and interrupted the ceremony just before the vows. To be honest, we were thankful for the brief pause and comic relief!
Steve’s not Jewish, but my family is. We really didn’t have a religious ceremony. But breaking the glass together was something we both really wanted to do. (It was hard to do in heels!)
Our nephews loved playing with everything once the ceremony was done.
Our s’mores cake!!!
The Fox still married The Hare. #loveisnotcanceled
10.3.20 We do.
10.2.21 We Party.
Vendor Notes
Photography / @offbeetproductions
Officiant / @revmjeffries
Catering / @eppesessen
Flowers / @wholefoods @jm_homeandgarden
Hair / @melanieawalode
Dress / @bhldn @jennyyoonyc
Dress alterations / @vesabrides
Suit / @menswearhouse @calvinklein
Rings / @alexisrusselljewelry & @riverdaleforge
Other Jewelry: @borcikjewelry
Cake / @the.cakes.of.wrath
Signage Calligraphy / @steadfaststrokes
Painted Sign / @ioriodesigns
Balloons & Party Supplies / @partycity & @amazon