If there’s one thing engaged couples are really good at this year – it’s compromise. Compromising on guest lists, honeymoon plans, their wedding date itself…I know it has been a roller coaster of emotion for everyone! When it comes to Alaina and Andrew, that was no different. They made the decision in early April to postpone their May wedding celebration to next year. However, being that they had a small window of time before starting med school together this summer, they still wanting to officially get married on their original date – no matter what that day would look like. The one aspect they would not compromise on was their faith. Alaina and Andrew both wanted a full mass, and with the ever-changing COVID guidelines, that was no longer possible in their church. So less than two weeks before their wedding, they compromised again and decided to move the ceremony over an hour away to Lafayette, LA!

This was one of the shortest wedding days for me, but also one of THE most joyful. I was there only for the ceremony and a few quick portraits afterwards, and I don’t know if it was just the shorter day or the fact that their priest said a really good homily, but I soaked up every minute of that mass! It was the perfect balance of laughs with a few sweet tears, followed by just utter JOY and cheers at the first kiss, which was full of emotion and “we actually did it!” relief. If there was a best first kiss award – they win.

This blog is heavy on the ceremony photos since that’s all that I captured, but I think it’s beautiful that we can shift our focus back to that part of the day. One benefit of the weddings happening during this time IS the fact that so much more focus is being put back on the marriage itself. Coronavirus has forced us to strip away all but the essential for the time being, and when it comes to marriage I don’t think that is necessarily a bad thing! Saturday there was no band, no buffet, no open bar, and no cake cutting – how many times do you attend a wedding looking forward to these things the most? A few dozen of Alaina and Andrew’s closest friends and family showed up (now over an hour away, mind you) just to witness these two special people receive the sacrament of marriage. There’s something so profound and amazing in being surrounded by those that truly love and care for you. Even though it looked nothing like they planned, I know this day will be one Alaina and Andrew cherish for years and years to come!

Venue | St. John Cathedral

Dress | Blush Bridal, Robert Bullock Bride

Transportation | Riverside Limousines