5 Key Considerations When Hosting Your Wedding Online

Your wedding is a special chapter in your life that can still happen even if some of your family and friends can’t make it. And, with today’s advanced technology you can even live stream the whole event. Why not?  Social media’s been making it possible for content creators and followers to meet in real-time, and so do business people. So, why not take advantage of it?

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But, if you want to make the most out of this opportunity, here are some considerations you ought to make:

1. Set A Date And Time

Before anything else, setting the date and the time of your wedding online is crucial, just as you would for a traditional wedding. It’s a special day, so if you want your guests to be able to watch your live stream, it needs to be on a day when people are free to watch you and your spouse-to-be take your vows.

While it may be challenging to have guests from different time zones, it is best to discuss it with your loved ones. Also, consider the fact that some of your guests may not be able to watch the actual wedding. You can still record the vows so that the others can watch the encore event.

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Another advantage that a live stream has is that, like other virtual events, it tends to be shorter than actual face-to-face ones. So, without the extras typically included in the physical event, a wedding ceremony can be exclusively web-based at only half an hour, which will be easier for guests to accept.

2. Send Creative Invitations

Invitations don’t have to stress you. Since it will be a live streamed event, you can create a wedding video invitation instead. Videos can be creative and are much more memorable and engaging. You don’t have to worry about sending out copies because you can send a video to multiple addresses in one go. Doing so is also environment-friendly because you don’t need to use paper.

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3. Select A Streaming Service

Various live streaming services are free for everyone to use. You can choose from live streaming social media accounts or independent platforms. There are also user-friendly platforms that offer interactive services for the guests. There is also the option to use multiple platforms so that your guests will have other choices if one live streaming service doesn’t work.

Furthermore, there are platforms dedicated to wedding ceremonies. They’re also offering an officiant and a marriage license along with the use of the app. You and your future spouse can also book a virtual wedding service to help officiate a live streaming service.

4. What Equipment To Use

When live streaming, you may use simple equipment that doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg, nor do you even need to hire professionals to do it for you.

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Here are some pieces of equipment you can use:

• The newer the smartphone model you have, the better features it will have. Your mobile device doesn’t have to be from a high-end brand as there are less-known brands with outstanding features for shooting photos and videos, not to mention live streaming.
• A microphone will be helpful if you’re holding the event outdoors or don’t have a sound system. It’ll provide better and more precise audio for your viewers. But, you may not need it constantly, depending on your location.
• If you’re using a smartphone, you’ll need a stable tripod. There are various non-branded and cheap tripods you can find online.
• It would help if you also have a stable Internet connection. If you don’t have DSL, you can do with WiFi, LTE, or 4G.
• Good lighting is necessary depending on the wedding time or if the location doesn’t have natural lighting.
• Extra cords and batteries are also essential to be sure in case there’s a power failure. But, if you’re holding the wedding in a different location, don’t forget to pack them.

Livestreaming is better recorded in landscape mode so that the guests will have a better view no matter where you move. It’ll help you provide a better experience for your loved ones. Make sure to check if everything works before the start of the wedding.

5. Interact With Your Guests

What would be more fun than to include your guests in the event?  It’s possible even if they’re not physically present. You can use a TV monitor so that you can interact with your virtual guests. It’s easier to see the smiling faces when the monitor is larger. You can set it up at the ceremony area or the reception setting, and it’ll give your guests the best view.

PHOTO BY MEG SMITH PHOTOGRAPHY

If you’ve planned a small wedding, it’ll be easier to include the guests in the reception games. You can also add more to the reception by having games that virtual guests can join in. Add some prizes that you can send them or they can pick up later. If you can, why not invite a musician to entertain them as well?

Conclusion

Virtual weddings can still be a hit with family, friends, and colleagues, even if they can’t physically attend. Live streaming the event will help your loved ones be there in spirit while helping them safeguard their health by staying where they are. It’s a new normal practice that’ll also allow the people you love to still be in touch with you no matter the distance.