covid19

Bustle Bride: Rebecca Atkinson Strickland

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Rebecca Atkinson and Whit Strickland first met in September 2018 on a blind date set up by her aunt and his mom! Rebecca was a substitute teacher at the elementary school where Whit’s mom, Emily, worked as a librarian, and Rebecca’s aunt, Paula, often volunteered. Emily and Paula, who were good friends, decided to play matchmaker and set them up on a date when Whit moved home to Birmingham, AL. Turns out Whit was open to the idea and he called Rebecca to make plans for their first date!

Whit and Rebecca Strickland were married May 2nd, 2020 in Birmingham, AL. Because of COVID-19 they had to forgo their big wedding plans, and instead, had an intimate ceremony with their closest family. Rebecca said, “The only guests in attendance at our wedding were our parents, one of my maids of honor, and my aunt.” Despite the change of plans, Rebecca said their wedding day could not have been more wonderful. “As much as I would have loved to have all of our original guests there, it ended up being absolutely perfect. There was no stress, nothing felt rushed, and everything just went so smoothly. It truly just felt like the whole day was all about us and we were able to focus on what really mattered.”

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“As difficult as 2020 was at times, it will
always hold some of the sweetest and most
beautiful memories for us. ”
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One of Rebecca’s most cherished memories of the day came at the end of the ceremony. All of their original guests had been given a Zoom link so they could watch the wedding live and still be a part of the Stricklands’ special day. “After the ceremony was finished, our photographer (Jessa Torres) asked us to go to the front of the church so that we could take some pictures there. When we got out there we started to take pictures, and then we saw a line of cars coming towards the church. One of my bridesmaids had set up a surprise car parade for our guests to show their support and make us feel loved.” Since their bridesmaids and groomsmen weren’t able to attend the wedding in person, some of them decided to meet together in a nearby parking lot to watch the wedding together on their phones, then they joined the parade! The COVID-19 pandemic may have altered their wedding plans, but it was still a perfect day for the Stricklands.

Rebecca reflected, “I think sometimes people get caught up in all of the planning that goes into a wedding, and when the big day finally comes they aren’t able to fully enjoy it all because there is so much going on. I’m so thankful for the way that everything ended up playing out that day. As difficult as 2020 was at times, it also will always hold some of the sweetest and most beautiful memories for us.”

Congratulations, Whit and Rebecca Strickland! We wish you all the best in your marriage.

Photos by Jessa Torres

Florals by Michelle Wright

Expert Tips on How to Plan a Honeymoon During COVID-19

We’ve teamed up with Abbay from Abbay’s Escapes to bring you all the expert tips and tricks for planning your honeymoon. Abbay has so much great advice, and even included a free COVID-19 specific downloadable packing list for you! Read on to learn how to plan your dream romantic honeymoon.

Expert tips on how to plan a honeymoon during COVID-19

Are you trying to find the perfect honeymoon destination during COVID-19? Or are you just trying to stay sane while you’re navigating the ever-moving parts of planning a wedding right now? As a recently engaged gal myself, I feel your pain. It’s challenging.

While it may feel like finding the perfect honeymoon destination during COVID-19 is more complicated than finding true love, I’m here to tell you it doesn’t have to be.

I recently helped a Birmingham couple navigate changing their honeymoon from France to the Napa Valley, and then ultimately closer to home in South Carolina. Sounds like 2020 right? The moral of this story is that with a bit of flexibility and creativity – couples have options.

So, what are your honeymoon options?

1. Take a road trip. 2020 has been the year of the road trip, and there is no shortage of romantic destinations and hotels nearby no matter where you live.

2. See the USA. Did you know that the US is geographically the fourth largest in the world? Distinct regions and states may as well be their own countries. From the snow-capped peaks of Colorado, the placid beaches of Miami, sweeping deserts of Arizona, and lush forest in California’s Sierra Nevada mountains, there are so many amazing options in our own country.

3. Grab your passport. Intrepid travelers have international options, such as Mexico, French Polynesia, and certain islands in the Caribbean.

4. Enjoy a mini-moon & go international later. This is my favorite and best of both worlds. Why not plan a domestic mini-moon now and plan an international trip later for 2021 or 2022?

8 Steps for planning your honeymoon during COVID-19

1. Define your comfort zone for traveling. While some couples are eager to grab their passports and jet set abroad, others may want opt for something drivable and closer to home. There isn’t a right or wrong answer here.

2. Decide if you want to drive or fly. Driving will allow you to limit your interactions based on your own terms. Did someone say road trip? Airlines have stepped up their safety and hygiene and are enforcing wearing a mask. So if you’re flying, be sure you’re OK wearing a mask for the duration of your flight. Check destination restrictions. Even if you’re staying domestic, certain states require negative COVID tests or a mandatory quarantine period. Also, check restrictions in your own state; whereas, you may be required to quarantine upon return.

3. Check your passport’s expiration date. If your passport is set to expire in 1-2 years, I recommend preparing and submitting the paperwork now. Most countries require at least 6 months’ validity on your passport, and due to recent limitations in passport services, it could take longer than 6 months to renew your current one.

4. Do your homework on your hotel and destination. When I recommend hotels and/or destinations for my clients, I consider and present all of the factors below, so they can carefully weigh their options. I recommend going through a similar process to determine which hotel property and destination is best for you. Carefully review the hotel’s, deposit, refund and cancellation policies. If it’s unclear, ask more questions. Check the hotel’s COVID-19 protocols, i.e., social distance in hotel areas, masks, and cleaning. Most hotels have this posted on their website. Due to restricted capacity, you may need to make reservations in advance whether that’s for dining or time at the pool. Consider what your destination is like right now. For example, certain museums and other popular tourist areas may not be open to the public, or you may need to reserve your activities, e.g., dinner, wine tastings, or tours, well in advance due to limited capacities. 

5. Buy travel insurance. I always recommend that my clients purchase travel insurance, but I recommend it now more than ever. Also, some destinations require that you show proof of travel insurance that covers medical costs. A travel advisor can help you navigate the different types of travel insurance so that you can choose the option that is best for you.

6. Stay up-to-date on the latest travel restrictions. Travel restrictions are fluid, so you’ll want to revisit these up until the time of your trip. There is no shortage of news articles and coverage on Coronavirus, however I recommend the following reputable resources: World Health Organization, CDC, and the U.S. State Department’s Covid-19 Country specific information.

7. Get a COVID test 72 hours prior to traveling. Some destinations, even domestic ones, may require a negative COVID test for entry. The rules for each spot are fluid and can change at a moment’s notice, so avoid the risk of getting caught without one and go ahead and get that negative confirmation

8. Enjoy your honeymoon! It’s time to relax – you and your sweetheart deserve it!

“2020 has been the year of the road trip, and there is no shortage of romantic destinations and hotels nearby no matter where you live. — Abbay”

Remember:

Be patient. Things are going to be different, and we are all working through the changes. If the airplane boarding process or dining experience takes longer or isn’t what you’re used to, be patient and understand everyone is trying to keep you, your fellow travelers, and the employees safe.

Be flexible. If you’re used to eating dinner at 7PM but you want to avoid peak times, be prepared to make concessions. Consider dining earlier or later or getting room service instead, working out at a different time, and adjusting “normal” schedules to avoid more crowded areas.

Use a Travel Advisor. There are more logistics than ever to consider with your travels, so using a travel advisor is even more beneficial. A knowledgeable, well-connected travel advisor can help you navigate the nuances of traveling during COVID-19, design an itinerary that is custom for you, be your advocate before, during, and after your trip, and add extra perks and upgrades along the way.

Embrace the Now and Enjoy! While honeymoon travel may look slightly different than pre-2020, it doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice on fun or romance. Some of my favorite hotels are focusing more than ever on privacy and seclusion - making it super luxurious and easy to turn up the romance factor. Can you picture yourself enjoying bubbles in your private hot tub or snuggling up by your in-room fireplace? Embrace the privacy and enjoy this amazing milestone!

Below you’ll find my Honeymoon Packing List complete with COVID-19 essentials. You can also visit my blog for additional resources and information. Happy traveling!

Honeymoon Packing Checklist

Honeymoon Packing List!

With COVID-19 Essentials.

Bustle is so grateful to have learned so many incredible tips and tricks from Abbay. We are lucky to have her as a friend and Bustle Bride!

If you are overwhelmed with your own honey moon planning process and want some extra help, we really can’t say enough wonderful things about Abbay! She is such a joy to work with and will help you have the honeymoon of your dreams. You’ll get exceptional travel Intel, seamless planning, and special perks, so you can have confidence in every aspect of your honeymoon (while avoiding all those painful hours scouring the internet).

You can email Abbay at abbay@abbays-escapes.com or call her at 205.578.6832. Don’t miss her  Instagram where she posts her latest travels!

Abbay we can’t wait to see in your Bustle gown at your wedding and are looking forward to seeing where your own honey moon travels take you! Thanks for sharing your expert tips with us!