CHARLOTTE, N.C. — When you get married, you take vows for better or worse, in good times bad. But a Charlotte was tested before their marriage even began, in the worst of times.
You may have friends or family that have been forced to have one: a spring 2020 wedding, COVID-19 limitations included.
"Yeah, it's very different," said Andol Yeh, a groom who never expected his wedding to be interrupted so abruptly.
"It's so different from what it was going to be," added the new Mrs. Laura Yeh, the bride.
The couple was supposed to have their wedding in Savannah, Georgia on April 10, 2020.
Some 60 family members and friends were supposed to travel into town for the big day. Some of them were from as far as Taiwan, Canada, and California, Laura said.
However, the coronavirus had different plans. It began to spread around the globe, infecting the U.S. and communities in North Carolina, including Charlotte.
Her guests, who had no other choice, began canceling their trips as Stay At Home orders rolled out.
"I can't come, I can't come, I can't come," she explained, remembering her friends and family notifying her. "It was sad to hear those come in and they were just rolling like waves."
They ended up canceling the big wedding, and instead decided to try to have a smaller one in their own backyard.
With music through a speaker and masks on hand, there was no way a virus would stop the trading of their wedding bands.
"No, nothing is going to take this away from us," Laura said. "This is ours."
Instead of the 60 guests looking, six people looked on, spread out on the back lawn.
"Andol, will you take Laura to be your wife, to live with her in this holy estate of Marriage?" asked Pastor Tom Henry.
"I will," Andol replied.
It was short and sweet.
"And will you love him, honor him and respect him as long as you both shall live?" Pastor Henry asked Laura.
"I will," she exclaimed.
Granted, these plans were made only days ago, after Laura posted in her NextDoor app, asking for help to make her wedding day, still happen.
"I was so scared that no one would help, and then these strangers, said hey, I don't know you, but we're gonna make your day," she said, beaming with a smile of gratitude.
A pastor, Henry, answered the prayer. A photographer said she'd be there. And a videographer even Zoomed in their parents who were at risk and couldn't make it.
"Gosh, they're just glad to see this day happen," Laura said as she talked about her parents making the tough decision not to be there in person.
A virus may not stand the test of time, but for better or worse, their marriage certainly will.
"I now pronounce you husband and wife," Henry said. "You may kiss your bride."
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