The engagement season is one of the most exciting times in a couple’s life. It’s when all the planning and choosing happens, both for the wedding and for the marriage. But for engaged couples who are caught up in the current pandemic, this season looks quite different.
We talked to three engaged brides and they shared with us their experiences, their struggles, and all the lessons that came with it.
Lexi was looking for rings to accessorize her outfit before heading out to dinner with friends in September 2019. As she heads to the door, her boyfriend for three years, Rafa, asked her if she could wear “this ring instead.” It was the simplest yet most perfect proposal for Lexi as there were no frills and no other people. She was set to marry the man of her dreams on August 2020; five months prior to their big day, coronavirus was declared a pandemic and the whole country was put on lockdown. 
Lexi and Rafa decided that a simple intimate wedding with their families was enough, so they decided that they will push through! They used this time to do new things together, such as cooking together and spending more time with their family. According to Lexi, the pandemic has taught them to really appreciate the simple things in life: family, health, food on the table, and a roof above their heads. 
They say high school life is the most memorable part of one’s life. That’s especially true for Anton and Daniela, who were high school batch mates. They got engaged on their 11th anniversary on December 2019 in Tagaytay, a place they both love going to! With less than a year to prepare for their July 2020 wedding, they had no time to waste – but then, when the pandemic broke out, the wedding preparations had to take a backseat. 
Anton and Daniela decided to push through with an intimate wedding this year. Initially, they were saving their suppliers for next year, but they soon realized that not knowing how next year will be is also difficult. So they started finding ways to make this small one special and got some suppliers on board. Shifting their perspective made them excited about it again. 
Weathering storms together seem to be Vince and Anika’s relationship’s mantra. They belong to the same social circle since high school, and attended the same college. Vince left after one semester to pursue his studies in Los Angeles. They met again in 2010, Anika’s last year in college, in one of Vince’s vacations. They sped up their two weeks to get to know each other better. After college graduation, Anika went to LA to pursue her studies in fashion, so they spent their first 4 years living and studying in LA away from their families and somewhat independent. When Anika flew home in 2014, they hit a rough patch, broke up, and were apart for 2 years. In 2016, they decided to get back together and make the relationship work. 
Vince pictured a proposal to take place on a kayak during a planned trip to El Nido in August 2019, but the trip was cancelled because of – literally – a storm. He also waited for ghost month to end, and so on September 1, 2019, he woke up decided he was going to pop the question that day. 
They were supposed to get married in Lagen Island, El Nido Resorts, Palawan on December 2020, but this uncertain time reminded them that the sacrament of marriage is more important than a wedding celebration. 
They decided to let go of their island wedding in El Nido and marry at an earlier date with a smaller, more simplified wedding in Manila, followed by an intimate dinner celebration at home because they didn’t want to place their family and friends in harm’s way. They were on forced long distance relationship during the lockdown, but it was not a problem anymore for Vince and Anika. They connected through FaceTime, while still respecting each other’s me-time. 
