40,000 Wedding Guests

Although their relationship is nothing to sneeze at, it began with precisely that—a sneeze.

Achoo!

“Bless you,” Josh said as he turned around in his seat to face the culprit sneezer. He was at a youth workers conference in Abbotsford, BC. His gaze lingered slightly longer than it should have, landing somewhere in between noticeable and socially acceptable. He was smitten.

After the session was finished, Anastaija, aka the phantom sneezer, found Josh in the crowd and reported, “Thank you so much for saying "bless you" she acknowledged. “That was kind of you.”

Josh thought, It was nothing. I am just a good Canadian kid, manners and all. His brain continued to turn over, Keep talking to her, Josh. Keep talking to her.

And talk they did, exchanging numbers and realizing they worked a mere block apart. In a matter of weeks, they were dating.

It didn’t take Josh long to realize Anastaija was the one who he wanted to spend the rest of his life with. He planned an outdoor proposal on September 21, 2019. The forecast didn’t seem to be onboard with the idea, however: rain. He meticulously arranged the location and the secret photographer and whispered a little prayer, “Please let the rain break for just a half hour.”

While sitting in a coffee shop, miraculously, the rain not only subsided, but the sun came out long enough for Josh to ask Anastaija to step outside for his flawless proposal.

The excited couple started to plan for an April 3, 2020 wedding at a Langley golf course. Making their initial guest list, they tallied 150 guests. After some careful thought, they realized some of those guests would not be able to attend because they lived outside Canada, so they whittled the roster down to 135.

Venue secured, invoice in hand, they had everything planned A to Z. About a month before the wedding, it was apparent that COVID-19 was starting to spread in the world well beyond the borders of China. However, Josh and Anastaija felt that their wedding was not in jeopardy.

But doubt started to wiggle its way in when their honeymoon was cancelled. “It’s okay,” Anastaija said. “We can always reschedule and go on a honeymoon later. There is always Plan B.”

Three weeks before the wedding, Anastaija’s brother was stranded in Europe. Her sister-in-law who was going to do most of the decorations was also stuck. One thing after another kept hitting their wedding plans. “There is always Plan B,” Anastaija kept repeating. After all, they could always find someone else to do the decor, right?

Two weeks before the wedding, the coronavirus and wedding plans collided, crashing the most organized plans into shards. While watching the news, they listened to the proclamation, “Those in British Columbia are not allowed to have gatherings of over 50 people.”

Anastaija looked at Josh, “What are we going to do?”

“We will just have to reduce the number of guests to 50,” Josh replied.

They called the venue to see if they could shave their numbers to 50 but found out that the golf course could no longer host the wedding.

"Is this Plan C or D?” Anastaija joked as they looked at having a backyard wedding at Josh’s parents’ house. They could invite about 35 family members and close friends and the wedding party and still remain until the 50-people limit.

Emails went out to family and friends to uninvite them to the wedding. It was a tough thing to do, but Josh and Anastaija knew it was the right thing to do in the face of a pandemic.

A couple of family members responded, some with new babies, others worried that someone they knew who were exhibiting symptoms of the dreaded virus. They did not want to potentially risk the safety of themselves or others.

“What is the smartest plan for us?” Josh asked.

They decided on a tiny living room service with a skeletal group of family and friends to witness their nuptials. Another mass email of uninvites was sent out, including heartbreaking messages to the bridesmaids and groomsmen, telling them they could not attend.

“I feel sorry for our guests,” Anastasajia mentioned. “At least we know when ahead of time when we make a decision. They have been so great to just roll with all the changes last minute.

The couple moved up their wedding to March 22 because they realized that without a get-together or venue, April 3 was just a date on the calendar. They had each other, they had their parents’ blessings, and they had their family. What else was really necessary? This was about a marriage, not a wedding. They could have a celebration at a future date.

After the service, with just four people in the limo, the couple travelled to Osprey Village for some a few quiet photos of their day.

“I am really thankful for our friends,” Josh mentioned as they neared the location to take pictures.

“I know. They have been so understanding. They haven’t been judgmental. We are really blessed to have such amazing people in our lives.” Anastaija added.

“Roll down your windows,” the best man suggested.

They rolled down their windows. Josh noticed that the street was lined with cars.

Darn, he thought, another wedding party got here first for pictures. We might have to wait a while.

But then he recognized someone, and someone else . . .

Completely astounded, the couple looked up and down the lined street filled with balloons, signs, bright colours, and sparklers. They saw those they invited—and even some they hadn’t—cheering, clapping, and cars honking in support.

Completely overwhelmed, Josh and Anastaija cried. As the limo parked, the couple walked up and down the street, receiving congratulations within a very safe distance from those who loved them. Somehow, someone (no one is claiming responsibility) managed to organize a group chat and spontaneously and quickly planned this act of solidarity and support. Even nearby neighbours to the street came out on their balconies to witness this incredible sight.

Out of the crowd a voice bellowed, “Why don’t you guys have your first dance?”

They had not planned on having their first dance, especially after having their wedding cancelled—twice!

But co-ordinated, and as if on cue, everyone turned their radio dial to the same station and cranked up the volume, flooding the air with a music. Josh and Anastaija had no choice, they began their first totally unplanned but completely perfect first dance.

It was magical and special; something out of a movie. It was a bride and a groom, a wedding dress and a suit in small-town British Columbia, and it was . . . unforgettable.

Although Josh and Anastaija may have been temporarily disappointed that only a handful of people could witness their vows, little did the pair know that their love was destined to be viewed by many more than just 150 guests. With over 40,000 shares on social media (when this was written), their guest list was ultimately much bigger than they could ever have imagined!

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This is episode two of the Coroavirus Chronicles: Stories of Canadian Caremongering. If you would like to read my first story in this series, The Tooth Fairy Is Not Cancelled, please click here!

This and many more positive stories are availabe in the upcoming book Not Cancelled: Canadian Caremongering Stories in the Face of COVID-19. It is currently available for pre-ordering from Indigo by clicking here.