It has arrived! Our first magazine of 2021, our annual bridal edition, is now available.

In writing the “letter from the editor” to open the magazine, I reflected on stories and quotes about weddings. There are plenty out there, but one of the best ones I came across was from a great movie, “Father of the Bride” – and by the way, if you haven’t seen it, you definitely should.

Steve Martin as George Banks says, “I used to think a wedding was a simple affair. Boy and girl meet, they fall in love, he buys a ring, she buys a dress, they say ‘I do.’ I was wrong. That’s getting married. A wedding is an entirely different proposition.”

You have to admit, ol’ George has a point.

According to WeddingWire’s 2020 Newlywed Report, the average couple starts planning a wedding even before popping the question. From the wedding website to vendor selection, from taste-testing cakes to choosing the jaw-dropping dress, there are hundreds if not thousands of details to be ironed out. What will be the color scheme? Who will do the photography? Band or DJ? Church or rustic outdoor location? Giant attendance or intimate affair? Weddings come in every shape and size – and like the stereotypical woman, I love them all.

As is true for almost every aspect of life, COVID-19 did its best to squelch the wedding world in 2020. But as I Corinthians tells us, love bears all things and endures all things, and across the nation – and across the world – weddings carried on despite the challenges posed by a global pandemic. You’ll find little sacrifices to the pandemic throughout this edition, but whether it meant moving the ceremony outdoors, wearing masks or limiting the attendance, lovebirds found a way to take that all important step into a life together, no matter what it took.

Within the pages of this issue, you will meet five newlywed couples and share in their love stories. Thanks to their photographers, we’re giving you a peek at their beautiful weddings – as unique and precious as each couple and the commitment they have made to each other.

For the wedding lovers like me, there’s plenty to gush over in this edition. From flower arrangements to gowns, from confectionary delights to sound spiritual advice, we’re tackling every facet of that most important life event.

I hope you will treasure this very special edition.