If your wedding plans change—due to flight issues, travel problems, family challenges, or illness—then your special day will probably look different from your initial vision. And that’s okay! Many couples may choose to postpone their nuptials when friends and family can travel and gather, while others may opt for a virtual wedding.
For starters, a virtual wedding allows everyone to attend (online, that is). Friends and family from all over the world can celebrate with you, and you don’t have to change your wedding date. This is especially important if your wedding date has special significance to you.
But before you charge ahead with your virtual wedding—consider these unique ways to involve your friends and family, and make the day even more special.
1) Use Something Borrowed
You can still exchange vows with the family heirloom, or keep a part of Mom or Dad with you on your special day. Ask friends and family to mail sentimental items that you can incorporate into your attire. (Local friends can still drop off the item, of course.) That way, they can see the item while you live stream your wedding, and it will still be in the wedding pictures.
Of course, this will be difficult for clothing—like delicate veils or expensive jewelry. For those situations, we encourage you wear the item at your post-wedding party, or save it for a vow renewal ceremony. Personally, we think a one-year anniversary-party-turned-vow-renewal would be a great excuse to get all your friends and family together!
2) Get Ready Together
Your friends and family will still be getting dressed up for the occasion—at very least from the waist up! That means you can still get ready with your bridesmaids and groomsmen. Simply start a separate video chat with everyone, put on some music, and pour yourself a glass of bubbly. It isn’t the same as being there in person, but it still gives you time to see everyone.
3) Live Stream It
Of course, your virtual wedding has to be broadcast to friends and family. While some couples are recording the ceremony, and sharing after—you have options. While recording the ceremony is still a good idea (most couples do this, even for in-person weddings), live stream it, if you can.
You don’t need fancy equipment or a synchronized team of videographers. Simply set up your phone, tablet, or laptop on a table facing you, your fiance, and the officiant. Keep your wedding start time, per the invitations, and begin live streaming about 15 minutes before that time, so everyone knows they’re in the right place.
Programs like Skype or Zoom let guests talk to you—so you can chat with everyone after the ceremony. Or, if you have a very long guest list, turn to DaCast or Livestream.com for view-only options.
4) Hire a Photographer
You can still hire a photographer to document special moments in your virtual wedding—and doing so can make the day feel every bit as meaningful. Many photographers now offer virtual or “micro-wedding” packages, capturing everything from getting-ready moments to the ceremony itself. It’s a beautiful way to preserve the emotion of the day and ensure you have real memories to look back on, no matter how you choose to celebrate.
5) Throw a Party…Later
Just because you have a virtual wedding doesn’t mean you can’t still party! You can still host an in-person celebration and invite friends and family. You don’t have to recreate fancy centerpieces and lots of flowers—unless you want to, of course. Instead, you can plan a fun afternoon with a catered meal and a chance to socialize with friends. Let guests know that your wedding will still proceed, but your reception will be delayed until you choose a date.
Conclusion
There are many ways to make your virtual wedding feel more like the big, in-person celebration you were planning. And at the end of it all, you still get to marry the love of your life! And you can always postpone the entire day down the road and still tie the knot online now!
Are you going to reschedule your wedding, or host a virtual ceremony? Why or why not?
