Andrew and Steph got engaged on Steph's birthday, March 27, 2019. We know you all love a good "how we met" and "how the engagement went down" story, but that's old news now :)

In mid March of 2020, just two weeks before the bachelor/bachelorette parties and two months before the wedding, news circulated about the outbreak of COVID-19. At first, Andrew and Steph remained positive, as it was probably going to be fine. However, they knew it was serious when SPORTS were canceled! Sadly, they each canceled their bachelor/bachelorette parties which were both scheduled for the last weekend of March. They hoped that COVID-19 wouldn't affect their wedding plans, but thought, "There is NO way...it's too far away!"

The last weekend of March rolled around, and they celebrated Steph's 30th birthday in quarantine (props to her bachelorette girls for sending a beautiful gift basket!). That weekend, they also learned of the 8-week shelter in place order for Georgia, which would end right on their wedding weekend. They then decided it was best for the safety of their guests and themselves to cancel the wedding.

The following weeks were filled with emails and phone calls to the vendors, trying to problem solve and amend contracts. Planning was very difficult because there was no exact answer as to when it would be safe to hold the wedding, or even the reception. After many Zoom and phone meetings, Andrew and Steph decided that they would still get married on their planned date but only with the Rabbi, their parents, Andrew's sister Lauren, and her fiance Alex.

After quarantining with Andrew's family for over a month, the wedding day finally arrived. Andrew, true to form, slept until noon or so while Steph bounced right out of bed before 8 am and had a day full of Facetiming with her bridesmaids, mimosas, and taking photos of her bridal pajamas and rings. Steph's parents got to do a "first look" via Facetime as they finished their drive from South Florida.

In true Atlanta summer fashion, it was very humid and stormy while driving to Etz Chaim, the temple at which the wedding was taking place. Luckily, the rain stopped right as everyone arrived! All family members arrived dressed up in their wedding attire, masks and all.

Rabbi Dorsch was kind enough to modify the traditional Jewish ceremony so that he could maintain his 6 feet from Andrew and Steph under the Chuppah. He and Alex acted as witnesses to sign the Ketubah, and the ceremony flowed beautifully.

Afterward, Andrew and Steph were greeted with a giant banner that Steph's parents had made, congratulating them on their marriage. In the parking lot, they found Chris and Megan, who would have been Andrew's best man and one of Steph's bridesmaids, in their car with friends on Zoom.

To avoid having a gathering, Andrew and Steph went home by themselves and had Fogo de Chao and champagne for dinner, followed by making their own chocolate wedding cake. Obviously they missed their friends and family, but truly enjoyed getting to spend their first moments of marriage together and be fully present with each other.

To make things even more exciting and non-conventional, they had the inspection for their first home the next morning! They closed on the house in mid June and moved in by the beginning of July. What a wild ride!

Obviously it wasn't the day they had planned for, however they felt so lucky that they were both healthy and still able to get married on their planned date. Their story is proof that love always wins.

They are now looking forward to celebrating with all of you on August 28, 2021, and giving everyone lots of long overdue hugs! Steph is also quite excited to FINALLY wear her dress (*cue Andrew rolling his eyes*)!

#loveconquerscovid #stephscohnforit