Pandemic wedding times two

Howard Shapiro, Nancy Stow Shapiro, Laken Edwards Strum, and Sam Strum (pictured, from left) celebrated two weddings during the pandemic. Covid-era planning was a challenge for Nancy and her family, but they managed to pull off beautiful ceremonies. Nancy and Howard Shapiro wed at their Bellaire home, more than 40 years after they first met. The newlyweds dated, the first time around, at age 16 but went their separate ways as they approached the college years. Thanks to Facebook, they reconnected. The original plan was for family members to fly in from Baltimore, but they adapted to the changing times and had an intimate ceremony surrounded by their children. Nancy’s son, Sam Strum, married Laken Edwards at Blissful Hills, a wedding venue in Spicewood, just outside of Austin. Their planned wedding date was postponed for nearly a year, and they managed to rearrange logistics for the entire weekend of family and friends arriving from around the country. Laken and Sam, who live in New York City, met at the New York City Texas Exes annual chili cookoff in 2016. They were introduced by mutual friends and bonded over academics and their love of Broadway.

Be seen in Buzz About Town. Send your high-res photos and community news to [email protected]. Items are published on a space-available basis. Also share your upcoming-event listings here.