I’ve always believed that given the right attitude, beauty can come from adversity. The minimony and microwedding as they are called now, are here as a result of these bizarre pandemic times. Smaller and more intimate weddings have always been a big part of my wedding photography business, and they are absolutely wonderful. Fewer people offers advantages of less stress, more location options, a little less formality, and a wonderful sense of intimacy.

When the pandemic crashed their wedding plans, there was only one thing to do, get creative and keep the party going, safely. The original wedding was slated to take place in Napa Valley with a guest list over one hundred. After some discussion, the couple chose to move the ceremony to Cannon Beach, Oregon; a vast stunning coastal location the bride had visited every summer growing up.

True to their nature, the couple kept the Northern California vendors they had originally booked for the Napa event. They managed to pare down their guest list to six family members, masks needed to be worn, and accommodations needed to be sanitized. With all of these new parameters in place, the wedding still needed to feel like a celebration.

Upon arrival at Cannon Beach, it was immediately evident that the wedding was going to be unique and wonderful. The guests were jubilant, they had all gotten Covid tests to alleviate any medical concern. I adhered to a set of safety protocols developed by OSHA specifically for the photo industry. And, as it turned out, those procedures didn’t hinder capturing the photographs in the slightest. I already miss Cannon Beach. It is truly a special place and it provided a spectacular backdrop for the perfect minimony. Sign me up for more weddings like these!

Thank you and congratulations, A + P.

Photography: Emily Merrill Weddings

Flowers: Laurel and Vine

Dress: Sophia Tolli

Desserts: Monday Bakery

Location: Cannon Beach, Oregon