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Couples say 'I Do' amid COVID-19 with 'mini weddings'

Posted at 4:27 PM, Jul 27, 2020
and last updated 2020-07-27 19:30:31-04

SAN DIEGO (KGTV) -- You could have had it regular, deluxe or destination, and all under 2 hours. Behind the idea of 'mini weddings' was Los Willows venue owner, Cathie Ransom.

"With this horrible pandemic that has affected everyone throughout the world, this is a great way to service for our customers that’d like to have a wedding now and not have to wait," Ransom described.

The 'mini weddings' didn't include everything a traditional wedding would like dinner and dancing but it was close.

"We have the officiant, the wedding cake, the photographer to capture memories, so everything is there ready to go so they don’t have to worry about a thing."

It allowed up to 10 guests, all social distanced and came at a fraction of the price.

"Our couples arrive then they have time to get ready, and then they start the ceremony. We have the cutting of the wedding cake and then we have photos," Ransom added.

She said when the pandemic hit, it forced her Oceanside venue to close. But thankfully with quick thinking of 'mini weddings', her Fallbrook location stayed open was able to satisfy anxious couples.

"I feel like whenever life throws you a curve, you just got to get up and figure it out and usually its for the better."

It was a popular choice for those near and far.

"We’re getting couples from LA, Riverside and Orange County driving down because they don’t want to travel too far."

The 2-hour window let Ransom fit up to four weddings in a day and allowed her to keep costs low. Time spent at the venue was limited but Cathie said what they left with was forever.

"They’re getting married and it’s all about them when it boils down to everything, that’s the most important thing is the two of them."

To learn more about 'mini weddings' at Los Willow, click here.