Alyssa and Andy had a huge party at one of San Diego’s most popular wedding venues planned. Friends and family were going to fly in from all over to celebrate. As it continues do do, Covid made them completely reconsider their plans. Out of concern of saftey, Alyssa and Andy ultimately made the tough decision to rethink all of their plans. After multiple change of plans, they finally decided to elope.

At the most gorgeous estate in Malibu, Alyssa and Andy (and their dog Riri) snuck away for the weekend. Surrounded by mountains, a pool with a killer slide and Riri, they committed to each other as friends and family watched via Zoom. Their close friend officiated as they exchanged the most incredible, personal vows (I totally cried), ending the ceremony with a champagne toast! After sharing some cake and taking a couple more photos, they both changed and just chilled around the pool! As the worked on their champagne, they had a personal chef come to make dinner that they enjoyed with the sunset. Totally relaxed, totally perfect.

Photo: @madelinebarrphoto

Flowers: @ahrflorals

Dress: @alexandragrecco

Makeup: @ashleyceeisme

Hair: @marisaanhaltzer

Afterward, I wanted to hear more about Alyssa’s experience as a Covid Bride and she shared some thoughts!

Are you glad you eloped?

Eloping was the right choice for us. It was exactly what we needed - time together without the mess of the outside world so we could appreciate each other and the strength of our relationship. It was 72 hours of pure bliss. 

Was there any part of the “getting married” experience that you feel like you missed out on?

All of the things I missed out on were replaced with a feeling of triumph and power that we got married despite a pandemic and a state-wide shutdown. All of the things that were once important felt so dumb and frivolous. The plate setting? Who gives a shit. My trial run for my makeup and hair? LOL. I was texting with a hair person that week and booked her before I saw her Instagram. We figured out our ceremony on the drive up. It just didn't matter. We were finally getting married despite all of the rage and the pain and the fear that our supposed leaders allowed to flourish. To celebrate a love that has lasted against all odds felt like a big fuck you to everyone that got us in the mess we are in today. Celebrating that kind of once in a lifetime love was so much more fulfilling than anything I could have dreamed. 

Is there anything you would have changed?

I am still baffled that after everything went so, so wrong and still ended up being absolutely perfect. Sometimes your plan D was the best plan all along.

Thoughts/tips for other couples planning during Covid?

I have a tip for my fellow COVID couples - DON'T HAVE A WEDDING. No marriage is worth dying over. Don't put people at risk. It's cruel. You have no idea what is going to happen - you can hope for the best, but intentions cannot keep people from being infected from a terrifying respiratory disease that can change the course of someone's life (if they survive!). 

My younger brother Michael is a cancer survivor, and Andy is a doctor, so I recognize that we take this more seriously than the average individual. But if this were to happen 10 years ago, and Michael came in contact with someone that went to a wedding and was infected with COVID-19, he would have died. People with pre-existing conditions deserve protection and if sacrificing my wedding meant that people like Michael get to live, I am a-okay with that. 

We got so many compliments about us looking like models on our wedding day. I am very blessed to have married a certified hottie, but we look like models because, like models, we didn’t need to stress about entertaining 150 people. We were well rested, focused and got to actually savor the moment. What people are seeing is the light that shines through true happiness. 

So, consider eloping! Have a few days filled with cake, champagne, sex, and love. And when you elope you get to go to bed at 10pm! It's a dream come true.