One Couple's Glam Pink-and-Teal Wedding at The River View at Occoquan Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic

As a wedding planner herself, De’Angela Boone (32 and a federal government employee and lead event coordinator at B Astonished Events) was well prepared for the COVID-19-related roadblocks she encountered in the lead-up to her marriage to Aaron Calder (36 and a construction foreman). The couple initially set out to exchange vows in a minimony on their original wedding date, intending to host a sequel wedding later on. However, as their August 28th date neared, it became clear a full celebration with minimal concessions would be feasible. Once De’Angela and Aaron received the green light, they quickly revised invitations and mailed them out for the glam pink- and-teal event. Mere weeks later, the couple welcomed masked guests to celebrate along Virginia’s Occoquan River. 

De’Angela and Aaron filled their wedding day in Lorton, Virginia, with ample personalized details. In honor of her great-grandmothers, De’Angela had picture charms attached to her bouquet. “Aaron lost his brother, who was also his best friend, in 2003. Since Bub could not be with us on our wedding day, we purchased a life-sized cutout of him in a black tuxedo to be placed at the altar behind Aaron,” De’Angela says. In addition to his late brother, Aaron also had one honorary best man and four groomsmen stand beside him as he exchanged vows with De’Angela. "Aaron knew since he was a kid that his brother Bub would serve as his best man when he got married." De’Angela “absolutely loves cake pops,” so adding them to the menu was a must. A two-tier watercolor-and-gold-leaf cake also made a sweet statement.

Navigating the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and planning a safe wedding was of utmost importance to De'Angela and Aaron. De’Angela and Aaron used their wedding website to communicate the safety measures they were instituting. The actions included “sanitation stations, custom masks, temperatures taken upon entering the ceremony, socially-distanced seating during the ceremony and guests strategically seated with members of their families,” De’Angela says. “By being transparent with our guests, we gave them the option to decide if they wanted to attend our wedding or not.” Upon arrival at the wedding, guests received custom masks emblazoned with “Quarantined for Life” and #ToHaveAndToCalderMine. The couple encourages to-be-weds to “have patience and be transparent,” especially when planning during the COVID-19 pandemic.