Updated 10/7/2020. I will continue to update this post as changes happen.
What a crazy time this is.
Within the span of a week (Mar 8 through Mar 15), I went from being sold out through mid-May to everything being rescheduled or canceled due to this global pandemic. At first, it was all voluntary and out of extreme precaution.
Then, on Tuesday, March 17th, 2020, the County Clerks offices all started to close, which means no marriage licenses were going to be issued until they reopened.
On Thursday, 19 March 2020, California Governor Newsome issued an executive order placing all of California on shelter in place lockdown. This orders “all individuals living in the State of California to stay home or at their place of residence, except as needed to maintain continuity of operation of the federal critical infrastructure sectors, critical government services, schools, childcare, and construction, including housing construction.”
The reopening plan has changed a lot since the first iteration presented on April 28, 2020. In fact, Governor Newsom offered a more nuanced 4-tier plan on Aug 28, 2020.
The good news is that all elopements with me are still good to go right now! We’re outdoors and in the open air in natural spaces, masked and socially distanced, which keeps elopements in the low to low-moderate risk category of activities.
Where do we go from here?
The reality is that there is a lot that can change. Let’s be honest, when 2020 started, the world was a very different place. The best we can do is watch the data and keep each other safe and keep each other going.
That’s why I am now doing a monthly update called Weddings in COVID. Click below to get the latest update.
Weddings & Micro-Weddings Through June 2021
I’ve made the difficult decision to not accept new bookings for weddings or micro-weddings happening before July 2021 for the time being, mostly because weddings (even masked and socially distanced) are a moderate-high to high-risk activity and because top immunologists like Dr. Fauci and Dr. Osterholm are saying that gatherings may not resume until the end of 2021. While I’m desperately hoping that is not the case, I don’t want to accept bookings without being confident I can fulfill what is promised.
For my couples scheduled in the first half of 2021, we are playing a game of wait and see. I will be reaching out three months before your wedding to discuss our options. Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram to get the Weddings in COVID update in your feed too.
Weddings & Micro-Weddings in 2021-2022
I am currently accepting bookings for weddings happening in July 2021 through the end of 2022!
PLEASE NOTE: For these 2021-2022 dates, you will be competing with 2-3 years worth of couples, so if you want to secure your date with me, click here to start a conversation now. Seriously, I’m already 40% booked for 2021 and 10% booked for 2022. (For comparison, I’m usually only 15% booked for the following year at this time because ‘wedding booking season’ doesn’t start until Thanksgiving and ends in February, which is when roughly 50% of my couples book me as their officiant for the following year.)
Elopements – 2020 is now SOLD OUT
Elopements are a go and y’all haven’t been messing around!
Elopements in 2021-2022
Even if you’re not sure about planning a full-on wedding next year, I am accepting elopements! In fact, I’m already 40% booked for 2021 and 10% booked for 2022. You can check my availability using the link in the menu at the top of this page.
Please note that ALL elopements require that we are masked AND practicing social distancing. This is a non-negotiable if you’re eloping with me. California requires people to wear a mask outside of the home when with people outside your household when in close proximity. This is reinforced by various County and local ordinances as well. And yes, I require this even outside due to the highly infectious nature of COVID-19 and the fact that for a ceremony, we must be somewhat near each other talking and laughing for up to 15 minutes during a pandemic for a respiratory virus.
Also, please note that elopements are NOT at formal venues, have NO set-up, and other restrictions. (Read more about that here.)
Marriage license issuing
Each County in California is dealing with this differently. Here are more specific updates:
We’re in this together
The reality is that none of us knows what is going to happen. None of us have the answers because this is evolving in real-time as we all react and respond. Right now, we are all doing the best we can with the information and resources we have.
Please know that I’m rooting for you and we will figure this out. But for right now, let’s take it one day at a time and not borrow tomorrow’s troubles.
Stay safe, stay healthy, and stay in touch!
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