Alexandria Schofield and Connor Berry have been dreaming of being married by the National Carillon surrounded a hundred of their closest friends and family.
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The lockdown put an end to this plan. Under current COVID restrictions weddings can be held in the ACT with 10 people plus a celebrant.
But the couple, both aged 22, decided to instead hold an intimate backyard wedding on Saturday and host a bigger celebration when restrictions lift.
"We still love each other. We didn't want to sort of continually put off for an unknown amount of time," Connor said.
"I'm a traditional sort of person in the way I still believe in getting married, having kids."
The couple, who met in college five years ago, have had more time together because of the lockdown.
Usually Alexandria works days in retail and Connor works nights as a security guard, but both have had plenty of time at home together in the lead-up to their wedding.
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Celebrant Amelia Haddock, who married Alexandria and Connor, said last year couples were more likely to reschedule their wedding - one of her couples rescheduled four times.
This time around, couples were more likely to have a small, legal wedding on their original date, followed by a larger celebration whenever restrictions are lifted.
"A beautiful little elopement is no less wonderful than a mega party with 300 people," Mrs Haddock said.
"They're very very different, but there's no less joy involved."
She said some couples were happy to use the pandemic as an excuse to keep their wedding small and affordable.
Connor and Alexandria had their parents and two brothers each at their legal wedding. The ceremony was live-streamed for their family and friends.
Alexandria was disappointed that her sister, who was stuck in Queensland, could not attend.
She did her own hair and make-up and made bouquets from synthetic flowers with the help of Connor's mum.
"We didn't really want to have a small wedding, but because of COVID it kind of changed everything," she said.
"I get to wear my dress twice, that's the main thing I'm happy about."
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Sarah Lansdown
Sarah covers all stages of education in the capital, from early childhood to higher education. Previously she was a general news reporter at The Advocate in North West Tasmania. She was named Best New Journalist at the 2019 Tasmanian Media Awards for a series on paramedic shortages. Email: sarah.lansdown@canberratimes.com.au
Sarah covers all stages of education in the capital, from early childhood to higher education. Previously she was a general news reporter at The Advocate in North West Tasmania. She was named Best New Journalist at the 2019 Tasmanian Media Awards for a series on paramedic shortages. Email: sarah.lansdown@canberratimes.com.au
