THE WEDDING MUST GO ON, Corona Virus Disease or Not

Due to the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), a lot of things have changed. Some of our plans may have been on pause, while others just ceased completely. However, there are things that are just too difficult to put off. And as the cliché goes, “The show must go on!”

This is true to a couple from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA, when they decided to push through with their wedding last April 17, despite the odds brought about by the Corona Virus Disease.

IN THE FRONT LINES

The couple is both healthcare workers. The bride, Clare Seghers is a nurse at Baton Rouge General in the COVID-19 ICU Unit, while the groom, Mel Keefer is an emergency room nurse at West Feliciana Hospital.

According to the bride, as stated in their online wedding registry/planner, “The past few weeks have been pretty emotional with COVID-19’s dramatic intrusion into our lives…with both the wedding only a few weeks away and as nurses, Mel and I have been faced with the hard decision to either postpone our wedding or accept the likely possibility that only immediate family will be allowed to attend if the quarantine stays in effect. After lots of thoughts and prayer, we’ve decided that April 17th is still our day and the wedding must go on! Even if it means only having immediate family present, we are so excited and ready to be married.”

THE COMPROMISE

They both knew that if they want to really push through with the wedding in spite of the Corona Virus Disease breakout, they have to compromise. “Though it wasn’t how we originally planned, Mel and I are excited as ever to be tying the knot tomorrow, April 17th, at Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Due to the quarantine, we will only have ten guests present at the ceremony but we will be sharing the day with everyone via Facebook live at 6pm! Hope this brings joy to everyone’s day! You will all be there with us in spirit.” Surely, there will always be so many ways to stay connected!

The Facebook Live of the wedding went viral, touching the hearts of those who have seen this. Just exactly what everyone needs in the midst of the Corona Virus Disease. You can see in the video the bride’s father walking her down the aisle. Clare’s father was not going to let this virus stop him from walking his daughter down the aisle, said the groom’s aunt. She added, “We could feel the love inside the church.”

Even if it means he has to wear a mask to protect himself, because his daughter has been working 50-hour weeks at a hospital in Baton Rouge, fighting to help save the lives of COVID-19 patients, Mr. Seghers would not miss his daughter’s wedding for the world.

THE (VIRAL) WEDDING GUESTS

The couple knew that families and friends couldn’t attend the ceremony. And as the father and daughter march towards the altar where the groom is waiting, the bride turned around and immediately started crying when she saw the pictures of all their family members and friends pinned to the pews of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in St. Francisville. “It was very sweet,” she said.

As the newlyweds march out the church, they were surprised to see that many of their friends and family showed up in their cars, parked in the parking lot, awaiting their debut as a couple. It made the day even sweeter.

“Whoever could show up and were waiting for us to walk out, they were in their cars and honking the horns and shouting “Congratulations!” when we came out,” Mel said.

While they would’ve loved to have everyone there in person, in the church, the circumstances made their day even better than they could’ve imagined.

“It ended up kind of being more beautiful in a way, all the extra love we got,” Mel said.

FUTURE PLANS

“It was really sweet, all the extra surprises.” The newlyweds said. According to them, they still plan on having a giant party/reception with all their guests at a later date once this outbreak all settles down (pretty sure the kegs are non-refundable). “And Lord knows, people will be needing a party after this. So please pray for us as make are final few steps towards the altar!” they added.

Furthermore, the couple shared in their online wedding registry/planner that they feel like God is trying to remind them of what’s really important and what this is all really about. “Don’t get me wrong—this was gut-wrenching. Plans had been made, flowers were ordered, dessert had already been baked and frozen. We and our families have been working so hard on getting everything ready for this giant wedding only a month away. But with venues already booked up till December (because many brides are in this same situation), we realized it wasn’t worth all the extra money and headache when all we truly want to is get married, for better or for worse. We’ll be waiting to see what happens in the next few weeks, but no matter what, this wedding is happening. Besides, if anyone would have a dramatic war-time wedding during a pandemic, it would be us. We’ll have one hell of a story to tell the kids.” the newlywed couple explained.

Best wishes!

Sources:
www.zola.com/wedding/clareandmelvin
https://globalnews.ca