This Couple Eloped in Their Living Room During Quarantine in Dallas, Texas

Lighthearted, but very emotional. That’s how Andy recalls his and Jess’ minimony that took place in their living room as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. Jessica (Jess) Chi (31 and an attorney) and Andrew (Andy) Burkart (31 and a nurse) share a love story that is uniquely theirs—A chance meeting on Bumble later led to a proposal, “in the middle of park, with only the street cats as witnesses!” Jess recalls. But the couple’s all-their-own journey shares an unexpected twist with thousands of other 2020 couples—The Covid-19 pandemic.

Once the health crisis forced the couple to postpone their wedding, originally set for July, they decided to still tie the knot on their original wedding date with, “an intimate civil ceremony in our living room, with a Justice of the Peace conducting the ceremony via Zoom,” Andy says. “Just like plans seemed to fall apart with the original wedding, our at-home zoom wedding seemed to fatefully fall in place.”

On the day of their wedding, Jess and Andy, “woke up as normal, walked the dog and then proceeded to get ready for the ceremony. We had expected that the ceremony would be cut and dry and very legal, but the Justice of the Peace allowed us time to say some special things to each other and it was a beautiful and emotional ceremony.”  

After the ceremony, the couple, “did our first dance in our living room and then took a walk in the nature area close to our home for some additional photos. After photos were over, we FaceTimed with some friends, watched Lord of the Rings, picked up some barbeque and just enjoyed being married!”

As for other couples who’s plan have been upended, Jess and Andy emphasize that, “at the end of the day, what is important is that you and your partner are getting married! Everything else is extra, but not required. If you are not able to have the wedding you planned, pick a few things that will make the day special to you even if it was not as planned.”