Like so many other life events over the past year, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, weddings have looked very different for local families. Guest lists have been pared down, venues have been changed and travel arrangements have been altered or canceled.
It’s been frustrating, but we know our readers are resourceful, so we figure every time the pandemic has thrown a curveball, those of you planning weddings have squared your shoulders and taken a swing.
And, we want to know how.
Whether you were scheduled to get married, participate in a wedding or simply attend one, please share stories about how you have dealt with the challenge of planning your Big Day in the middle of a pandemic.
By sharing your story with us, you also will have the chance to win some money. One name will be selected at random from among all contest entries to receive a $200 cash prize.
As many of the stories as space allows will be published in the Wedding Fair special section to appear in the Feb. 4 issue of the paper.
There will be no in-person Wedding Fair this year, but the special section will showcase wedding vendors and their goods and services, as well as stories about topics of interest to those planning weddings or other special events.
The Wedding Fair contest is open to all Jefferson County and Eureka residents. To enter, submit your story in 300 words or fewer and send a photo (or two).
Deadline to submit an entry is 5 p.m. Fri, Jan. 22. Your name, phone number and town of residence must accompany all submissions. There are several options for submitting:
■ Email to news@leaderpublications.biz (subject line: “Wedding Fair contest”).
■ Bring to the Leader office at 503 N. Second St. in Festus.
■ Mail to the newspaper at P.O. Box 159, Festus, 63028.
For more information, call the Leader office at 636-931-7560.