2020 has brought many unexpected circumstances and challenges, especially for couples who had planned to tie the knot this year. Brides and grooms around the world, have had to navigate the ever-changing new world we’re living in. That means making big changes to big wedding plans.
There are various ways in which couples have shifted their wedding plans since the pandemic began. This includes hosting virtual weddings, changing wedding dates, eloping, reducing the number of wedding guests, and socially distancing. We’re going to be highlighting all the different ways people are saying “I Do” in 2020. We’ll be giving tips and tricks on how to make your special day just as special, even in a pandemic.
This week, we’re talking about virtual weddings.
We’ve all grown accustomed to the zoom conference call, but what about a zoom wedding? Couples all over the world have opted to keep their wedding day and host a zoom ceremony for family and friends to partake in. But what do you need to consider before hosting your big day online? Here are a few tips:
1.) Consider time-zones.
When having a virtual wedding, the first thing you want to consider is time-zones and your overall timeline for your event. You want to consider where the majority of your guests are located. After all, who wants to wake up at the crack of dawn to attend a virtual wedding? If you have guests attending your virtual wedding who live in a different time-zone, make sure you consider how this may affect their attendance - and make sure they don’t mix up their time-zones! The last thing you want is someone missing your virtual ceremony.
2.) Reach out to your vendors.
Your wedding vendors can be helpful in creating a virtual experience for your guests that makes the big day special for both you and them. Perhaps
your florist can build a wall installation, or you can order a smaller version of your wedding cake to cut during the ceremony. Vendors add to the magic of your wedding day, so don’t forget about them during the planning of your virtual ceremony!
3.) Give your guests frequent updates.
Since your wedding won’t be in person, it’s important to have constant communication with your guests so that they know exactly what the details of your virtual ceremony are. Your wedding website can be changed or a new one can be created with details of your virtual ceremony and what to expect. This will help your guests stay in the know and have one place to go to for updates on the ceremony.
4.) Invest in good technology.
If you’re having a virtual ceremony, the last thing you want to do is have a bad connection! Having good technology setup is key for having a successful virtual ceremony. Test your wifi capabilities in advance so you know what you’re doing before the big day, and so you know if your connection is poor so you can consider investing in a wifi hotspot. Along with this, check the lighting and sound quality of the area in which you plan to have your ceremony. This can really make a big difference for your guests wedding experience, and will help them to feel like they’re there. You can request assistance from your DJ or sound and lighting vendor as well.
5.) Have a dedicated “Stream Monitor”.
A “stream monitor” will monitor the wedding stream and ensure it goes off without a hitch. Make sure you pick the right person to be your streaming monitor so that you know your virtual ceremony is in good hands. You’ll want to pick someone who’s organized and good under pressure. They should also be decently savvy with technology in case of any mishaps. If some of your guests aren’t familiar with zoom or skype, have your stream monitor host a
practice session with them to help your guests understand how the virtual ceremony will work. This will help everyone with a smooth experience and will keep your stress at bay!