Michelle & gonzalo

Backyard wedding

Gonz was sitting in a bar with a good friend one night, lamenting just how very single he was (…his words), when his friend suggested he meet Michelle, one of her old mates. He saw some photos, agreed (thinking understandably that this would happen in some as yet to be determined future), and his friend immediately took him outside, drove him to the bar Michelle was working at, and introduced them. Efficient. And effective as it turns out. After a case of mistaken identity that was quickly cleared up, it was on for young and old.

Being such family and community centred people, and with large swathes of both their families in Chile, they had locked in a huge celebration at the National Art School to bring together all the people they care about, to celebrate all of them as well as each other.

Like many people, however, Michelle and Gonz’s plans were somewhat railroaded by 2020. They lamented, they questioned, they prioritised and finally, for reasons that are both beautiful and heartbreaking, they decided that they didn’t want to wait.

They live in a house on a quiet cul-de-sac in the suburbs, across the road from where Michelle’s sister and parents live, and around the corner from Gonz’s parents. They bought the house only this year, primarily so they could be on hand to help care for Michelle’s father who’s health has recently deteriorated. If that doesn’t speak volumes of the kind of people they are, of what is important to them, I don’t know what would.

So, in a flurry of activity, they drastically reduced the guest list, got friends to help decorate their backyard, and organised catering from a Chilean restaurant around the way. They organised zoom meetings and set up shifts of guests so that they could share the day with as many people as possible whilst still remaining safe. They spent the morning of the wedding surrounded by their families, criss crossing the street in-between their and Michelle’s family homes, chasing nieces and nephews and pet dogs across the road, much as they would on any Saturday.

A more honest and poignant reflection of their lives and daily reality this couldn’t have been.

Now every time they walk into the backyard they’ll have a tangible reminder of the memories they made, of what they felt. They’ll see where they stood when they made promises to one another in front of their familia’s, be reminded of the community that rallied around them to support and celebrate them when they needed it. What more could you want?

Is that any less romantic than a beautiful heritage listed venue decked to the gills? Or is it more? The answer is, of course, completely subjective, but bears thinking about.

Enjoy

Dane