Love and Beauty Amidst a Lockdown
Photo Credit: Annabel of Belathee
Following the Coronavirus outbreak earlier this year, the world came to a standstill with a widespread cancellation of events to prevent the spread of the virus. However, on May 5th, 2020, Elaine Welteroth and her long time love, Jonathan Singletary, tied the knot on their Brooklyn stoop with a safe, socially distanced gathering.
The beautiful wedding ceremony was officiated, by their pastor, Dr. Stanley Long, via Zoom, while a larger group of about 200 guests participating in the all-white dress code virtually. Elaine created a social distancing standing chart and wrote their guests' names on the sidewalk in chalk to ensure that everyone kept their distance. The wedding was DJ'ed by Brooklyn-based singer and musician, Adeline Bolden, as the in-person guests danced in the street. The couple provided white gloves and masks on-site and white parasols, flower seeds, bubbles, and homemade brownies.
"Some things only come around once in a lifetime. This love. That day. Our moment. Too divinely aligned to let it pass us by. Let this be remembered as the day LOVE. COULD. NOT. BE. Cancelled. #LoveLockdown"
- Elaine Welteroth
According to Vogue, Welteroth and her husband had initially planned to get married on May 10th. Still, the uncertainties due to the Coronavirus pandemic led them to transition their event to prioritize safety. As COVID-19 began to spread in the United States, Elaine Welteroth--the New York Times best-selling author--had recently returned home from her bachelorette retreat in the Dominican Republic. Whereas, Jonathan Singletary, her now-husband, was preparing to head down to Mexico for his bachelor party. Elaine distinctly remembers members of Jonathan's crew in order of individual paranoia dropping out of the trip.
Elaine met Jonathan through church when they were growing up in Northern California, but a reconnection as adults in December 2013 sparked their romantic connection. Jonathan came to New York City for job interviews, the place Elaine had been calling home for five years.
Elaine explained that the couple initially considered getting married in Turks and Caicos. However, the costs would have been prohibitive for too many of their family members. Although California felt like a too-familiar location, a venue on a private estate in the Bay Area became "the only option that felt right." When the widespread nature of the Coronavirus pandemic weakened the potential for an in-person wedding ceremony, Elaine and Jonathan went through periods of all-encompassing denial. The couple soon found themselves embarking on an exciting challenge to pivot their wedding into a safe, yet loving moment. While focusing on creating a beautiful and memorable for themselves, Elaine and Jonathan wanted to give their whole block a reason to celebrate. From Lewis Miller Design installing a whimsical floral arch over their brownstone to notes being distributed to neighbors inviting them to the festivities, their dreamy and elegant wedding was coming together.
On May 10th, 2020, friends, family, and neighbors began to gather outside of Elaine and Jonathan's Brooklyn brownstone, and neighbors sat on their stoops and balconies to join the festivities. Elaine walked down the aisle/sidewalk Soul Train style with guests space out on their sidewalk. A beautiful wedding ceremony took place in Brooklyn that day, followed by a "virtual" block party and a very safe dance party in the streets.
A beautiful moment on a Brooklyn stoop created an incredible memory for the newlyweds, friends, family, and community during scary times.
Photo Credit: Annabel of Belathee
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