Submitted Photo

By Chris Brown

Saying 'I do'

Couple wouldn’t let COVID get in the way of marital bliss

May 31, 2020 | 9:23 AM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – It’s not the wedding they originally planned but it still turned out to be pretty much perfect, says one of Medicine Hat’s newest husbands.

Darin Parker of Medicine Hat and Ivy Atwood of Raymond, Alta. had planned the traditional large celebration surrounded by hundreds of family and friends.

COVID-19 changed all that – a phrase that will likely define 2020 for years to come.

“We knew that we wouldn’t be able to have quite as many people. So we bumped the date up a little bit and had to reduce the number to close family to be able to meet the requirements for the safety guidelines,” Parker said this week.

The couple didn’t have to do as much trimming of the guest list for the May 23 as the might have though. One week earlier the province boosted the limit for outdoor gatherings to 50 from 15.

IN THE COMMUNITY

'Compassionate Friends' offer peer support for bereaved in Medicine Hat

9h ago

POSTAL STRIKE

Donations to Medicine Hat non-profits drop over Canada Post strike

9h ago

IN THE COMMUNITY

Medicine Hat's Adopt-A-Rink program still seeking volunteers

17h ago

Everyone that was on the original guest list made it to the reception the next day in Medicine Hat though, Parker said.

The newlyweds gathered at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in South Ridge and welcomed well-wishers in a drive-in setting. Guests dropped off gifts and cards, had their picture taken for a photo book and then greeted the happy couple through the window of their vehicles.

Afterward all the guests watched a wedding slideshow in the church’s parking lot – from their vehicles, of course.

The couple’s honeymoon plans were also scuttled by COVID-19, but they made the best of the situation.

“We were still able to get a nice honeymoon suite at a hotel and we were able to have a nice night together,” said Parker. “Now we’ll hopefully be able to go on a longer honeymoon at a destination far away when the restrictions are lifted.”

Submitted Photo