The coronavirus situation may have forced us to stay at home, but that doesn’t mean all plans and dreams are crushed for couples looking forward to their wedding. Sure, it may not be the grand celebration of your dreams. The guest list may be small. Your wedding dress may not be the attire you’ve been anticipating.But it’s still possible. Thanks to technology and the internet, engaged couples can now hold a virtual wedding to celebrate their love. It’s still a fresh concept, though, and we’re sure couples, including you, might have a lot of questions about it. That’s why we’re here to help! Here are six simple tips to help you plan the best and most memorable virtual wedding ever.
1. Check-in with your local marriage laws.
States in the US, for instance, have different approaches to marriage and our current situations. Some local laws have deemed virtual weddings legal and official. Some may require you to have an officiant for the wedding. Before anything else, visit your local clerk’s office to learn about the marriage rules and whatnots in your area.
You can still hold a virtual wedding even if your state doesn’t recognize it officially. You can have a grander, official celebration once everything cools down.
2. Consult your vendor(s) for assistance.
Have you already hired vendors for your wedding but got caught in the middle of this virus situation? If yes, then talk with your vendors about a workaround for your virtual wedding.
For instance, if you’re still adamant about having your favorite floral decorations, have a chat with your florist about downsizing your planned number of flower arrangements for the venue.
Even if you’re recently engaged and haven’t hired a vendor yet, getting at least one for your virtual wedding will do you wonders. You can hire a photographer or videographer so you can document the whole event. You can also use the photos from them to create a wedding photo book that you can keep for yourself or give to friends and family.
3. Decide where to hold your wedding.
The platform where you’ll be streaming your wedding is important as your actual venue. It should be easy to access for your guests, so when choosing one, consider the technological know-how of your guest list too.
Fortunately, there are plenty of streaming platforms you can choose from, depending on your preference. Here are the most convenient ones:
- Zoom (free version only allows 100 people to participate for 40 minutes)
- Google Hangout (up to 25 people can only join in the free version
- Skype
- Facebook Live
- Instagram Live
- FaceTime (only allows 32 participants; only iPhone users can join)
- YouTube (you can also preserve the video on the platform for future viewing)
4. Don’t forget the invites.
Once all the behind-the-scenes duties are taken care of, it’s time to let your guests know of your celebration. The good thing about virtual weddings is that everything can be done and set up with your laptop or phone and a steady internet connection. You can easily create an invitation and send it via email, chat, or private message on social media.
Whether you or a hired designer is making the invitations, it’s necessary to include what guests can expect during the virtual ceremony. Include the link, time, and date so everyone can join in on the celebration on time.
Also, make sure to provide details answering these questions:
- Will the guests need to dress up? What would be the dress code for the event?
- Will there be a window time for unmuting guests so they can send their well-wishes to you and your partner?
- Should guests bring some wine to the virtual celebration?
- Will there be an afterparty? And if so, how can the guests mingle with the others?
If you’re making the invites yourself, you can browse free templates online for some designing help. Take these invitation samples from Canva as your inspiration. They’re easy to customize too!
5. Ready your gadgets, equipment, and other important stuff for your venue.
The day before your wedding, make sure everything’s ready to go. Check your laptop if it’s running in condition and charge if necessary. Keep the charger close in case it needs additional electrical juice the next day.
Test your webcam or any camera you’ll be using to capture the whole event live. You can arrange the settings according to natural lighting, so you’re all set to point and shoot the next day.
If you’re using a smartphone, set it up on a tripod and place it somewhere where it can capture your marriage in the perfect angle.
6. Decide on your final hair and makeup look.
With restrictions on gatherings and distancing still in place, you can expect little to no available hair and makeup artists in the meantime. In this case, it’s best if you work on your wedding look on your special day.
It doesn’t matter if you have little experience with makeup and hairstyling. There are plenty of tutorials on YouTube today that can teach you a thing or two about the perfect look. You can search online for the perfect hairstyle according to your face shape and makeup based on your skin or eye color.
As a general rule, simplicity is queen for a wedding getup. Wear lighter makeup, so you look perfect on screen. You can start with your everyday look and add some touch-ups from there.
You can practice doing your hair and makeup a week or few days before your wedding. Keep polishing your look until you’re confident enough to do it in a small amount of time.
Love will still win, no matter the situation.
No pandemic or any crisis can stop love from prevailing, and you’re no exception to that! A virtual wedding may require a bit more preparation and careful decisions. But when done right, you’ll have quite a tale of love to share with your future family and friends.
When you decide to go for a virtual wedding, never forget to follow safety precautions all the time. Wear your face masks, and keep your distances as much as possible. Love wins when everyone’s safe enough to celebrate it!
**This post is sponsoredby MILK Books
