This archive report was first published on 12 May 2020.
Love in the Time of Lockdown ¶
As the world grappled with the COVID-19 pandemic, a young couple, Shari Nelima and Isaiah Soboyejo, found a way to make their special day unforgettable – on Zoom.
On April 11, 2020, Shari's friends from around the world came together to host a virtual bridal shower, a testament to the power of technology and friendship in the face of adversity.
"Before the coronavirus, the plan was to host the bridal shower in London," said Sheila Sewe, one of Shari's friends. "We were to all meet there as Shari's friends to encourage her."
However, with the pandemic forcing gatherings to be cancelled, the friends had to get creative. They used Zoom to host the bridal shower, with Gretchen Balmadres leading the charge as the team leader.
"A lot of planning went into it beforehand, but because we were all familiar with Zoom and all of its handy features, we managed to keep the bridal shower well organised," Gretchen said.
The bridal shower was a huge success, with the friends playing games, sharing gifts, and celebrating Shari's upcoming wedding.
"I absolutely enjoyed the bridal shower, I loved seeing everyone online with me. And, the fact that they sent a tiara and sash to my house and asked me to only open on the D-day made me so happy, it was a beautiful day," Shari said.
Just two weeks later, on April 25, 2020, Shari and Isaiah tied the knot in a Zoom wedding, with only Isaiah's brother in attendance physically.
"I want God to be glorified, because marriage is a beautiful thing," Shari said.
