Love in the time of Coronavirus: Inside an SA 'micro-wedding'
A crackdown on gatherings was not enough to stop these Adelaide lovebirds from tying the knot in the most intimate of ceremonies. And they were kind enough to invite our camera.
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There may have been a little social-distancing but there was a lot of love in the air when Rhiannon Gully and Lindsay Talbot said “I do”.
While others have postponed tying the knot because of coronavirus-imposed government restrictions, the Adelaide newlyweds chose to bring their nuptials forward.
The now Mrs Talbot, 24, who is a teacher, and games programmer Mr Talbot, 29, had planned to wed on October 10 before 65 guests at popular Glenelg wedding venue Partridge House.
But on Tuesday, they decided to marry in just three days’ time.
That meant scaling back their big day to a small affair because weddings are now limited to five people.
“We feel like this isn’t going to settle down and our wedding in October wouldn’t have been as we imagined it,” Mrs Talbot said.
So yesterday they were married by celebrant Katie Weeks in an outdoor room created by the bride’s mother, Carlene.
Carlene and Mrs Talbot’s father Markus were witnesses at the ceremony filmed by an Advertiser video camera without an operator.
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After the ceremony, Ms Weeks left, allowing Mrs Talbot’s stepmother Emma to join the group.
The Advertiser took wedding photos in a nearby park while also observing social-distancing.
“We had cupcakes rather than a wedding cake and champagne poured at arm’s length because of social-distancing,” Mrs Talbot said.
“We weren’t taking any chances – we didn’t even clink glasses; we just raised them in a toast.”
While marrying now meant the couple’s guests – including Mr Talbot’s parents who live in Alice Springs – were unable to attend, they plan to celebrate with them all on October 9 next year.
“We will have the whole ceremony again without the paperwork,” Mrs Talbot said.
While adhering to the rules meant meticulous planning, Mrs Talbot still managed to surprise her groom.
Instead of wearing her favourite purple dress, she found a gown at Mawson Lakes boutique Adelaide Brides and Bloom.
“They said I would probably be their last bride for a while,” she said.