IT CERTAINLY wasn’t the way they had always visualised their wedding day, but local couple Andrew & Kiesha Cutugno were not going to let a pandemic get in the way of their union.

Advertise with News of The Area today.
It’s worth it for your business.
Message us.
Phone us – (02) 4981 8882.
Email us – media@newsofthearea.com.au

The Sapphire Beach pair, like so many other couples planning to tie the knot in 2020, were thrown into a spin as COVID hit.

Their initial thought was to postpone the wedding but as it looked like restrictions would stretch longer than expected, they decided to go ahead.

“Everything was so up and down, we decided that what was important to us was the ceremony and being married, not so much throwing a big party as we could do that any time…so we stuck with our date and rolled with it,” Keisha said.

Guest numbers were culled to adhere with restrictions; wedding favours were hand sanitiser (labelled ‘Spread Love, Not Germs) and the remainder of friends and family who couldn’t travel or attend were virtually there thanks to an online Zoom event.

“We are big believers that everything happens for a reason and it was just amazing,” Keisha said.

“We actually got to be present with all guests, we had meaningful conversations and we all know normally at big events it’s normally just ‘hi and bye’ so it was perfect for us.”

The most challenging part was not having family, including Keisha’s mother who lives in Tasmania, physically present.

Thanks to technology, she didn’t miss out and was there virtually online.

“The best thing at the end of the day it really just reinforced to us what was important and that was our ceremony together; everything else just fell into place.”

Keisha has some advice for any other couples feeling defeated about their wedding plans this year:

“Don’t stress and try not to over-plan – I have found you can organise a lot in a month or even a week – and remember what’s important and that’s marrying the one you love.”

By Kue HALL