City Hall wedding and brewery reception in Minneapolis

As I look at Marie and Andrew’s City Hall wedding, I wonder – what are we bringing with us from this time of pandemic?

For weddings, are we learning to put it all on the table? The guests, the expectations, the traditions, the dancing and ceremony and details.

Put it all on the table.

And only take away the things you need.

For Marie and Andrew, they made these choices before they had to – this wedding was before COVID, before mandates. And they still looked at all the pieces that created a celebration for them, and chose this intimate ceremony at Minneapolis City Hall (elegant spaces that require no other decorations).

It meant a lot of time to enjoy being with their guests – cards and games at Indeed brewing’s tap room in Northeast Minneapolis. (The barrel aged program at Indeed is among the best I’ve ever had!)

Most of all, they could be fully present at their wedding the whole way through – to enjoy a little stroll around Stone Arch after the ceremony, laughing with their siblings while they signed the papers, and toasting with local beer.

When I say “every challenge is an opportunity”, what I mean is this – its raining, and so now the skyline isn’t blown out by harsh sun. Now there is a yellow umbrella, and an excuse to cuddle under it. Now there are fewer people walking, and a groovy saturated pavement, and a very grateful me.