Skip to main content

Home News News World

Couple get married on the street after coronavirus scuppers wedding plans

Love wins, even in the time of coronavirus.

By Will Stroude

The coronavirus pandemic might have put life on hold for millions of people across the world, but as the LGBTQ community knows only too well, love can always find a way in the face of adversity.

And so it was for New York couple Reilly Jennings and Amanda Wheeler, who found their wedding plans caput as the US began to shut up shop in the wake of the crisis.

After first deciding to move their wedding forward, the pair were left high and dry on their newly rescheduled big day when the marriage bureau was forced to close.

Deciding nothing wouls stop them from saying ‘I do’, the couple enlisted a friend who had been ordained to conduct the service from his window as they stood on the street below, so they could follow social distancing guidance.

Sharing pictures of the ingenious ceremony afterwards, Jennings wrote on Instagram: “what a day. amidst the uncertainty and despair we all feel right now, marrying the love of my life in the most NYC moment was perfect.

“i’ve waited 4 years to call @wheelsfit my wife and this was all just the cherry on top of the love i feel every day.”

Now that’s the kind of feel-good story we need right now.

 
 
 
View this post on Instagram

we were supposed to get married in October. the reality of that happening in our current climate seemed slim. Amanda’s business closed and everything has just blown up. we got our marriage license yesterday and were walking out the door to get hitched at the courthouse when the mayor announced the immediate closure of the marriage bureau. after several hours of crying (& drinking), one of our dear friends @iknowmattwilson sent us a message saying he was ordained and could marry us through the state of NY (nyc has weird laws that you have to be married by someone ordained by this county clerk). we said YES, finished our work meetings, walked down the street to his apartment and got married below his fourth story window as the neighborhood looked on alongside 4 of our best friends @kktapper @harold_gibbons @joselynmujica (& @erikahenningsen through a car because #socialdistancing). what a day. amidst the uncertainty and despair we all feel right now, marrying the love of my life in the most NYC moment was perfect. i’ve waited 4 years to call @wheelsfit my wife and this was all just the cherry on top of the love i feel every day. ❤️

A post shared by Reilly Jennings (@reillyjennings) on