Confession time! We didn’t actually coin the phrase “unplugged wedding.” Jillian and Michael, the bride and groom, used it on a sign at the church where they were married as a request that friends and family turn off their phones and refrain from taking photos.
But as we were looking through the gorgeous photos taken by Shoreshotz (thanks for sharing them with us, Shoreshotz!), we thought “unplugged wedding” was an apt phrase to describe an absolutely adorable micro wedding on Cape Cod.
Jillian and Michael were initially planning on hosting a large group of friends and family for their wedding celebration. Then coronavirus happened, and the world changed. So too did their wedding plans. Yet they still wanted to get married on “their date.” Rather than opt for an elopement-style wedding with just a couple of friends and a quiet dinner, they decided to host a proper ceremony and reception with all of the traditional elements, but at a greatly scaled-down size.
A beautiful wedding gown, bridesmaids and flower girls? Check. Check. Check.
Traditional walk down the aisle on the arm of her beaming father? Oh yes (could Dad look any happier?)!
Heartfelt vows exchanged in front of loved ones? Absolutely.
Following their ceremony, the new Mr. and Mrs. took a few minutes to pose for photos (could they be any cuter?) before moving on to the bride’s family’s summer home for the reception, where no detail had been overlooked, no tradition forgotten.
Love, love, LOVE the look on Jillian’s face when she saw how beautifully the space had been arranged!
While their guests enjoyed the cocktail hour, the newlyweds did a quick photo op on the beach across the street. Jillian and Michael then joined everyone inside, where they had their first dance as husband and wife. After Jillian danced with her father, and Michael his mother, the couple cut their cake. Speeches followed. Dinner was then served.
With such a small group, and with COVID-19 restrictions still in place, Jillian and Michael decided to have us drop trays of prepared food that their friends and family then helped serve. We worked with them in creating a menu of dishes we knew would travel and reheat well, and provided heating instructions. It was an easy-yet-elegant solution that let them enjoy a sumptuous meal.
Michael and Jillian may decide to have a larger party later – perhaps on their first anniversary – but whether or not they do, they will always have the memories of their “real” wedding, where every custom was thoughtfully honored, and they were surrounded by love.
