Plan A

Dreaming for Plan A started a year ago. A reception venue was chosen and a deposit was placed. Bridesmaids were asked. Pinterest boards were shared. Rustic boho was explained to me. A good mix of DIY and purchased items were being planned. Things were proceeding nicely.

And then came March. We were quarantined. Jake moved back to his house since his job was online and he didn't want to be alone in a new apartment in a new community where he didn't know anyone. Mariana moved back in with the eight others of us who were also here. The engaged couple did their part; they isolated and quarantined like the best of them. I felt so sorry for them that I suggested they just have their father marry them in front of their immediate family and then have their dream wedding later. Wouldn't be the first time he married a couple twice due to extenuating circumstances.

But they waited instead. Should we move the wedding up? Should we push it back? Now we have Plans B - D. It seemed like every day brought a new component to the planning. 

In July, seeing the writing on the wall, they officially canceled their reservation at Reception Venue Plan A. Sad news for the venue owners and a difficult decision to be sure. However, just a few hours later Tom handed down a new edict, making life even more difficult for indoor event owners and subsequently for those wanting to celebrate in said venues. Our hearts go out to the wonderful folks at Site Plan A but it was the best decision for life in covid.

Church friends were contacted: Is your barn available for a wedding on Sept. 6? The answer was yes and thus began Plan K, the plan that stuck. Have the reception outdoors with seating in an open-air barn. Spread out the food trucks (instead of a caterer) and games and activities to make social distancing easier. When life gives you covid, make lemonade. 

Or something like that.

Cleaning out the barn began in earnest (with many, many thanks to Mike, Mary, and crew). Even a possible tornado the week before the wedding couldn't change Plan K (and many, many more thanks to Mike, Mary, and crew).

They were troopers through it all. They handled the changes with grace. And in the end, I wasn't the only one who said that Plan K (for Kurtz, of course) was much better than Plan A - minus the fact that so many couldn't come due to Covid related fall-out. They did so well at working within the guidelines that even Tom, our newfound friend in high places who tells us what we can and cannot do, would be so impressed.