“We were to get engaged on March 24, 2020 in Hawaii, but obviously the pandemic canceled everything,” says Erica Hackman, white wedding dress, on the arm of her husband Richard, in the festive atmosphere of Damrosch Park, at the foot of the Manhattan buildings. The couple, who were expecting a child, married the following summer “on the roof of a building, with the close family, less than 20 people, all masked”, remembers Erica, 35 years old. “It was really a small wedding. So today, it’s really important to come and celebrate with other people who have been through the same thing,” adds Richard, 37.
KENA BETANCUR/AFP
Catch-up
The ceremony was presented as a catch-up session for couples separated by the Covid or whose marriage had been ruined. “There is so much hate these days. Having a day when we just celebrate love is important, ”explains Wonderful Lloyd-Kline, 56, who came with Anisa, whom she married in 2008, to Toronto in Canada. Some are very young, others, like Esther Friesner Stutzman and her husband Walter Stutzman, have been married since 1974. “He promised me a trip to Paris,” she smiles.
