bridal feature
Love Will Find A Way WRITTEN BY JAN WINDHORST
WHILE COVID-19 saw the postponement or cancellation of many wedding plans amidst stay-at-home orders, social distancing and safepractices guidelines for hospitality venues, other hopeful couples and creative business owners had faith that love would find a way. When our feature story couple, Amber Whiteside and Eli Murphy, got engaged in February of 2019, they had no idea their plans for August 2020 would be in jeopardy just months before the big day. “By mid-March, I was very nervous watching all the updates on shutdowns,” Amber recalls, “but I was determined to get married on August 29—and we did.” The Whiteside/Murphy wedding went on almost as planned at Benedict’s Plantation with the only difference being a guest count of 150 rather than 200. “The venue had to follow state guidelines of half capacity which was 150. Luckily, the RSVPs showed that just enough people declined out of caution to meet that limit.” Carter Plantation Events Director Lauren Sadler also found ways to make wedding dreams come true at the sprawling golf course community and venue in Springfield that offers many alternatives to safely accommodate guests. “We have a lot to offer with multiple venues for ceremonies and receptions. Brides can customize their event with all our options. With distancing and capacity concerns, outdoor ceremonies are popular in our two courtyards and under the oaks of the Carter house. We also have indoor ceremonies in our atrium or ballroom. The atrium has an outdoor feel with walls of windows that can open, but it’s climate-controlled making it perfect for any weather. Our main ballroom has removable walls so if it’s a smaller wedding, they can close off part of it, or for those concerned about distancing, we can open it up to provide plenty of room.” Lauren also says that they address food service concerns by having masked and gloved servers rather than an open buffet. With one wedding a weekend at Carter Plantation the norm, Lauren says she experienced an unexpected change in booking numbers. She explains that, at first, wedding parties simply rescheduled their dates. “We only had one couple cancel, opting for a small gathering in their back yard – and we were happy to return their deposit. The postponed weddings began rescheduling in June, so now we’re busier than ever with those that were pushed back and ones already on the books.” With ample room to accommodate multiple events in a weekend, Lauren is also booking weddings with the shortest lead times she’s ever seen. “Even with guest capacity cut and a ban on live music, couples just want to get it done. When they ask for October or November, I no longer assume it’s for 2021—they mean now.” Throughout the uncertainty, Lauren has reassured clients that there’s not a single deposit they’ve kept due to cancellation, understanding that circumstances change 32 Sophisticated Woman | October 2020
