A Beachy Covid Wedding with Donuts and a Dog of Honor (Made Out of Paper)

Dec. 21, 2020

2:26 p.m.

They started falling for each other during a job interview. Ergo, love is work.

Sarah Aaron Photography

The couple: Shannon Carta + Hunter Cole

Wedding date: August 13, 2020

Number of guests: 66

Centerpieces: Roped glass globes filled with a white candle and seashells

Sarah Aaron Photography

// The Interview

Shannon and Hunter met in 2015, when he interviewed her for a job at the cyber security firm where he worked. She made a dazzling impression (not just professionally!) and got the role, which meant the pair spent the next year yukking it up as cubicle buddies. When Shannon left the company, they met up for a happy hour and finally professed their burning love for one another after the help of a few drinks.

Sarah Aaron Photography

// Mustard Be the One

For their first date, they went to the Fells Point Festival in Baltimore. Shannon was starving but nervous to eat around Hunter because she has a tendency to wear her food. As they sat down to eat—Shannon with a funnel cake, Hunter with a gyro—Shannon decided to warn him of her messy ways, only to look up and discover Hunter had mustard all over his mouth. “It was that moment when I knew he was the right guy for me,” Shannon says. “We laughed so hard because it was like something out of a comedy movie.”

Sarah Aaron Photography

// Ch-ch-ch-changes

Shannon and Hunter were supposed to have a May wedding, but two months before their date, the pandemic threw them a curveball. “When we were told we had to postpone to a later date, it was heartbreaking,” Shannon says. “We had waited and built up excitement for that day to marry our best friend.” But with the help of their CBBC planner Teresa Hunter, they pushed their ceremony and reception to August and cut down their guest list, which turned out to be an unexpected blessing, Shannon says. “We had 50 percent capacity and it was truly a blessing because it made our guests feel better and our wedding feel so much more intimate,” Shannon says.

Sarah Aaron Photography

// Pearl Hunting

Greenery formed the foundation of Shannon’s romantic beach wedding vision, with pops of lavender in the flowers and bridesmaids dresses. After perusing the web, she fell for a timeless Stella York gown, which she purchased at Bridals by Elena. However, finding the right pair of shoes was not nearly as easy. “I always had this vision of pearls somehow incorporated on my heels for our wedding,” Shannon explains, “but I couldn’t find anything like it at any store and even had trouble online.” She finally turned to Etsy, where she discovered Magosisters, a Greek company that makes leather sandals. “They turned out better and more comfortable than I ever expected,” she says.

Sarah Aaron Photography

// Man's Best Paper Dog

Since Hunter and Shannon’s dog Ted was unable to attend their wedding, they decided to invite his cutout likeness. “I actually saw a picture of one online and couldn’t believe how real it looked,” Shannon says. “It made us feel less guilty.” Ted made all sorts of cameos throughout the wedding, from the sweetheart table to the dance floor.

Sarah Aaron Photography

// I'll Have Tots With That

The highlight of the couple’s menu was their tater tot bar with crab dip, although guests also raved about the dessert spread, which included donuts and ice cream sundaes.

Sarah Aaron Photography

// For Couples Planning Now

“Our advice is to stay strong. Keep your composure, lean on your significant other, and don’t forget it’s about YOU. We had been told we were selfish for having our wedding, amongst other things. What matters is that you want to get married and whoever wants to be there, will be there!