BRIDE-to-be Pedita van Hees can be pretty creative and adaptable. Planning for her wedding to continue amid pandemic restrictions is testing just how creatively Ms van Hees can pivot. Repeatedly.
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An earlier than expected easing of lockdown restrictions will mean Ms van Hees and finance Caillan Summerhayes can increase their October wedding to 10 people (including the couple). A mini-reception and hen's party are also back in play.
The couple had never planned a big wedding and the tightness of what is allowed means there are still big sacrifices.
Ms van Hees' father, step-mother and two siblings remain stuck interstate.
There have been many who have questioned the couple's decision, but Ms van Hees said getting married before starting a family was important to her and her fiance.
Ideally we want to move forward with our lives. We've decided to continue, whatever it looks like, and all the emotional stuff that goes along with it.
- Bride-to-be Pedita van Hees
"Ideally we want to move forward with our lives. We've decided to continue, whatever it looks like, and all the emotional stuff that goes along with it," Ms van Hees said.
"I've got crazy-supportive parents. They called me up late at night this week and had arranged for a beautiful bracelet to be delivered. My dad wanted me to know, if he couldn't be there to walk me down the aisle that I had something from him with me when I did."
They are not alone in keeping their nuptials on schedule amid the pandemic.
Eurambeen homestead, just outside Beaufort, is hosting a wedding on Saturday. A week ago the stage had been set for five people.
Eurambeen's Sarah Beaumont said easing the restrictions to allow 10 people had been "like they'd won Tattslotto".
"Some people are postponing their weddings - next year is going to be packed - but we have a few weddings where people are getting married and will do a reception next year when they might renew their vows," Ms Beaumont said.
"We've had a lot of enquiries before this week, even though we've not been able to run weddings or show people through the property...I just love weddings. The atmosphere of a wedding is just magical and I've really been missing it here."
The Eurambeen wedding, like the van Hees-Summerhayes wedding, must still abide to strict social distancing rules on the day.
Lingering nearby in parks or behind trees is also not allowed, because this would count in the numbers for the social gathering.
The bride must wear a face covering as she walks down the aisle but this can be removed during the exchanging of vows.
This has created a flurry of tips in fashion magazines across the world.
Ms van Hees is working to adapt a bird-cage veil that meets requirements but does not look tacky.
She also remains working with a videographer and photographer for how to capture the ceremony - without being in the building.
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The hardest part has been in hair and beauty, and industry that is only just reopening with restrictions this week.
Ms van Hees has been unable to secure a make-up artist as any work done must be done with her wearing a mask.
While Ms van Hees is navigating a crash course in formal make-up via YouTube, it was so far proving far from ideal.
She knows this will all come together on the day, even with tight limitations.
Ms van Hees was grateful to be allowed a meal in a restaurant with their guests, particularly with a backyard barbecue ruled out.
"We can be in the restaurant for two hours. Now, it's about how do we coordinate exactly the right timing to ensure we're all there together - but that's 10 times better (than step two)," Ms van Hees said.
"We'll split the wedding in two and have an official reception next year and I wouldn't be surprised if there was a vowel renewel for those who were not at the wedding.
"We only ever intended to have a small wedding. It's surprising how you can adapt to make the potential stages and numbers of people work, what they will look like."
It's surprising how you can adapt to make the potential stages and numbers of people work, what they will look like.
- Bride-to-be Pedita van Hees
Sarah Beaumont has been planning ahead for what a post-pandemic normal might mean for weddings and events at Eurambeen.
They have doubled the floor space in the woolshed to fit 300 people, and this could also allow flexibility for how social distancing measures evolve.
Ms Beaumont said spring was a wonderful time to bring some wedding magic back.
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