BY SARAH HOFIUS HALL

Brianna and Brian Rogers planned an intimate wedding for today, including brunch with 40 of their closest friends and family members.

The threat of the coronavirus caused the couple to change plans.

On Tuesday, with just their immediate family, Brianna and Brian Rogers pledged to love each other through sickness and health.

In the world outside, businesses closed their doors, restaurants only offered takeout and the Diocese of Scranton canceled Masses.

But for the 10 people inside St. Peter’s Cathedral in Scran­ton, love prevailed over fear and anxiety. In his homily, Deacon Ed Shoener spoke about the need for love and hope.

“It was very stress-relieving,” said Brian Rogers, 41. “We were together and able to receive the sacrament of marriage. It was nice to be at the church and pray for everyone.”

The bride’s mother made the bouquet, and the groom’s mother hosted the small group at her home for club sandwiches and coleslaw from Terry’s Diner and a small wedding cake from Gerrity’s Supermarket.

”It was the best day of my life,” Brianna Rogers, 31, said. “We wanted to be married. It wasn’t about the party part of it. We wanted each other. That was the only thing on our mind.”

Tuesday night, the newly married couple celebrated their St. Patrick’s Day wedding at their Scranton home over takeout steaks and potatoes from LongHorn Steakhouse.

“It was perfect,” she said.

Contact the writer: shofius@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9133