Mariah and Derek | Choderwood Wedding » Lavender Leigh Photography

“Any chance that you are available on June 20th?” I read as Mariah’s Facebook chat head pops up through my social media feed.

“June 20th, 2021?” I type back, anticipating a quick response.

“No. This year.”

Mariah and Derek’s wedding was initially planned for August 8, 2020. In the beginning of March, only days before the pandemic lockdowns surfaced, Mariah, Derek and I were sitting in my Client Meeting Room, discussing their wedding photography. They were planning to have their wedding ceremony and reception at their church.

Fast forward to the end of May, Mariah and Derek’s church announced that they were not taking on any events until after Labor Day of this year due to the pandemic. While many engaged couples have reacted to the pandemic by pushing their wedding back until 2021, Mariah and Derek were quick on their feet, found Choderwood, an open-air venue, and moved their entire wedding, vendors and all, to June 20, 2020. Mariah’s chat head message was sent to me on June 2nd. Mariah and Derek literally re-planned an entire wedding in 18 days.

And nothing was short of fantastic on their wedding day. “We decided to embrace the pandemic” Mariah told me as we were discussing the details of their re-planned wedding. Some of which included handmade face masks for each guest, creative beer koozie favors that read “Quarantine Partners for Life”, individual bottles of wine for each guest, and delicious pre-packaged single-serving hors d’oeuvres, dinners, and cake slices for all.

There were so many other special details incorporated into their day, as well! Three types of specialty cocktails (each in a pre-packaged, individual serving cup), precious wedding attire for their two cats and puppy, and pictures at the very spot where Mariah and Derek first met; in the center of Market Square.

But, enough of this talk- scroll down to see the lovely moments of Mariah and Derek’s wedding day…