He's a Mobile County firefighter; she's a nurse at Mobile Infirmary. And their April 11th wedding date couldn't have come at a worse time. But that didn't stop this couple from getting married, surrounded by family via Facebook Live.
Meet Ryan and Morgan Sirchia. They were married by her grandfather, the Rev. Tom East of Ocean Springs, this past Saturday at a friend's house.
When they made their wedding plans back in January, the venue was supposed to be a beach house in Gulf Shores... with friends and family present.
But as this couple has learned, life can sometimes throw you a few curves.
They actually met at South Alabama several years back, when classes were out due to a hurricane. (I got the scoop from Morgan's mom, Gina. We've lived in the same neighborhood for years, and her hubby Mike is one of those who've been on the front lines at the grocery store these past few weeks).
So Ryan and Morgan got engaged in September. The wedding was set for April 11th. And even though the whole world has been brought to its knees by COVID-19, this couple decided to go ahead with their plans. As Gina told WKRG, "We didn't let this virus stop love."
Yes, they had to cancel the big plans... the florist, caterer, DJ, bachelor parties and showers... but the ceremony was a go!
They put together a makeshift camera (Gina pointed out that the phone was held to the tripod by a rubber band!). They got their family connected through Facebook Live (even the almost 95 year old great grandmother!)
And Rev Tom East married them, in the virtual presence of about 80 family members. (Side note: Rev East also married Gina and Mike 32 years ago... she says he ties a good knot!)
No honeymoon just yet. This nurse and firefighter have a lot on their plates at work right now.
Oh, and when all this is over... they're planning a bigger wedding celebration. As Gina put it, "momma didnt spend big bucks on a real wedding dress for nothing!"
Best wishes and a lifetime of happiness, Mr & Mrs Sirchia!