Blog Post

Staying Flexible

Hibu Websites • October 6, 2020

Legna and Cristian's September Wedding

The brides who purchased gowns at the start of 2020 certainly did not expect to wear those gowns amidst a global pandemic! For many, this was—and still is—the reality. Planning a wedding during the COVID era requires significant flexibility and adaptability. Determined to start their marriage, Clarice’s bride Legna and her husband, Cristian, made their dream wedding happen even as vendors closed their doors.

When Cristian began attending Legna’s childhood place of worship, the pair became fast friends. As Jehovah’s Witnesses, the Kingdom Hall provided opportunities for the kids to become closer as they grew. During their teen years, Cristian and Legna confessed romantic feelings for one another but decided to hold off on a formal relationship until Legna finished high school and accomplished some goals. After years of friendship and a long wait to be an official couple, Cristian gave Legna a beautiful surprise at Forest Park on September 21, 2018. He arranged for family and friends to wait at the Boathouse restaurant with a banner which asked, “Will you be my girlfriend?” Exactly one year later, Cristian topped that surprise with one even greater: a proposal! While on a family trip to Florida, Cristian proposed to Legna with 600 flowers and close friends who secretly flew to Florida for the surprise! Of Cristian, Legna said, “He is really romantic!”

After a few months savoring the experience of being engaged, the pair was ready to begin wedding planning. First on the list of “things to do” was shop for Legna’s wedding gown. She attended multiple appointments at various shops and felt quite discouraged. She said, “I was really nervous to find a dress. I had tried on other ones and hadn’t gotten that feeling. I was starting to wonder if it even existed!” Luckily, she found that perfect feeling at Clarice’s Bridal in her dreamy Kenenth Winston gown. Paired with a delicately beaded chapel-length veil, Legna’s dress brough tears to her and her entourage. One special person was missing, however. Legna’s father was at work, and it was imperative that he give his approval before Legna make her final decision. “Growing up, I always looked up to him,” Legna said of her father. “This is the most important dress I am going to wear, so I needed his “yes” or “no.” I knew he would give me his honest truth.” The Clarice’s staff remained after hours so Legna’s father could slip away from work and see his daughter in her bridal gown. Needless to say, he was impressed with the stunning bride!

Unfortunately, the Midwest became more concerned with and cautious of COVID-19 the following month. Wedding vendors, like the rest of the public, shut down just as Legna and Cristian needed to begin serious planning. They faced this challenge head on, and Legna said, “Most stuff we did ourselves by making things, borrowing, or ordering from Amazon or Etsy.” They postponed their search for a florist and cake baker until they could taste and view samples. The couple originally wanted to be married at their place of worship but quickly realized that would not be feasible because of coronavirus restrictions. Instead, the pair chose a barn wedding at the estate of a friend but were unsure of how many guests to expect. “We really didn’t know if we should plan for 300 or 30,” Legna commented. The guest list ended up consisting of 35 names of family and the very closest of friends. Vendors had a shortened time frame, and the couple had a shortened guest list, but Legna and Cristian were thrilled with the result!

Legna described her September wedding as “absolutely perfect” and said, “I wouldn’t change anything.” She speaks fondly of the day and suggested other brides take lots of pictures. When asked what she cherished from the day, Legna responded, “I really cherished taking pictures with my friends and family. . . It could get a little crazy at times trying to get a large group to look at one camera, [but] it was so fun!” Another part which she suggests brides treasure is the dancing. “When you go to a wedding, you always put yourself in their shoes,” Legna said, “so it was nice to experience it myself.” Her final piece of advice is this: “Expect the unexpected. Don’t be too stressed out on the smallest of details. When the day comes, just enjoy the day—every minute of it. It honestly goes super quick, and later on you’ll want to relive every minute of it, so relax and enjoy.”

After the wedding, Cristian and Legna began their “staycation” honeymoon. The original hope was to go to Italy, but that was, of course, not possible with the coronavirus. Legna’s aunt gifted the newly married couple a night in the luxury Angad Arts Hotel in downtown St. Louis where they enjoyed their blue room. “Then the next week, we went apple picking and went to the new aquarium,” Legna explained. The couple also attended Night at the Zoo at the St. Louis Zoo where they were able to enjoy an adult-only zoo experience of sea lion shows and tiny train rides. They also used their time to get settled after moving in together.

After a dream wedding and romantic “staycation,” the Legna and Cristian are continuing their quarantine happy together. The couple hopes to go to Italy for their one-year anniversary and hold a party to celebrate with those who couldn’t come to the wedding. Whatever the future holds, we wish good luck and blessings to Legna and Cristian! Congratulations on your love and marriage!