Virtual Wedding: Embracing the New Normal Way of Tying the Knot

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2020 has surprised us in so many ways because of the birth of the Covid-19 pandemic. Establishments were required to close and people had no choice but to stay at their homes most of the time due to lockdowns. This measure was taken to avoid the spread of the said virus. Because of this, multiple events have been canceled. We’ve seen artists postponed concerts and most likely, someone you know has put a halt on their supposed vacation. Among those affected by this pandemic are the engaged couples.

The National Marriage and Divorce Rate Trends show that there are over 2 million couples who wed every year in the U.S.A. That’s about more than 6,000 wedding celebrations a day. But because of the pandemic, couples either reschedule the original wedding plan or have become flexible by arranging a virtual wedding instead. After all, nothing or no one can be a hindrance when it comes to love.

Taking Weddings Virtually

If you’re one of those engaged couples disappointed about the present situation, don’t give up on your wedding plans just yet. Good thing we now have the Internet in this generation. This powerful medium can be used to help you push through with your wedding.

A virtual wedding, simply put, is a wedding ceremony done online. The union of the couple is conducted through the Internet. All the usual components of a typical wedding ceremony are still present. The couple still wears their suit and bridal dress, signs marriage certificate and other papers, and goes through every typical marriage norm. The only difference is that witnesses, like their friends and family, are not present with the couple physically. Rather, the supposed-to-be guests are watching remotely online. This new-normal approach to weddings is now a trend because of the pandemic.

A Guide to Your Virtual Wedding Planning

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You may not be able to have a traditional wedding but a virtual wedding is still worth anticipating. At the end of the day, the most important thing is that you are able to officially tie the knot. You can still have a traditional wedding when this is all over. But for now, here are some tips to help you with your planning:

Know the Marriage Laws in Your Area

Depending on the country or the state you live in America, there is a specific time window between acquiring your marriage license and getting married. In the U.S.A., some states permit couples to get married without an officiant. A lot of local marriage offices will allow you to apply for a license over video call and officially declare your “I dos” as long as there is one virtual witness.

Gather Your Virtual Wedding Team

Even though your wedding isn’t traditional, you can still invite your friend to help organize your big day or hire a virtual wedding planner. This is a special day for the both of you as a couple. Therefore, you can still carry out all the accustomed practices and all the fun you want while following Covid safety measures.

For instance, the bride would like to have a bridal shower. The wedding planner or the bride’s friends can organize one virtually. Some virtual bridal shower ideas can be sending and opening gifts, playing games, and enjoying foods and drinks from afar. These are also applicable to a virtual stag party.

Select a Streaming Platform 

You can broadcast your wedding ceremony on different online platforms, including Zoom, Google Hangouts, Facebook Live, YouTube Live, and more. You have two primary options for this virtual event: you can either have your wedding streamed live free of interruptions or allow guests to interact with you during the ceremony via video conference. Add in the right platform links, etiquette instructions, and other details when sending invites. Check out Studio Z post on virtual wedding ceremony and know how they can help you with your virtual celebration.

Send Out Invites

Don’t forget to prepare virtual wedding invitations so that your guests will know what to expect in your event. It’s recommended to send out invites to your guests at least six to eight weeks before the wedding to help people get ready. Make sure that invitations for live guests and virtual guests are delivered separately. The basic information that should be included in the invitation are the date and time of the event, link to join, as well as the required login details to enter the virtual ceremony, and what the dress code is (in case you want every detail, even the virtual guests, recorded).

Plan for the Actual Wedding Day

These are the following factors you need to prepare ahead of time for your actual virtual wedding day:

Venue

Choose the right venue to exchange vows. Since it’s still pandemic, indoor spaces can be riskier so it’s better to choose a nice open area instead. The venue should also have optimal lighting for guests to have a good viewing experience. Before choosing a venue, make sure to consult your planner or tech team to check if the location is feasible for a virtual event.

Vendors

Of course, you will need an officiant to officiate your wedding ceremony. Just make sure that all legal papers are signed beforehand. When it comes to finding a caterer, you can ask for their menu and have them deliver their food samples to your home or request them to create the best menu for your wedding. Hiring the best virtual photo and video services is also crucial. You want to make sure that your photos are beautifully captured. Plus, they can help with streaming your wedding.

Decoration

Just because your wedding is virtual doesn’t mean you don’t get to decorate the area. You’re still welcome to follow your original ideas like putting flowers or fairy lights. Your vendors can surely help with the details even if you’re downsizing your previous plan.

Outfit

No pandemic can stop you from wearing your dream bridal dress so just go for it. But if you’re saving your dress for the future when face-to-face celebrations will already be allowed, you can also buy another one. There’s not really a rule for this. Wear what you think will make you glow the most!

Emcee

Keep the party vibes going by having an emcee. Choose one that has a dynamic personality to keep both your live and virtual guests engaged. They can also help walk your virtual guests through every segment of what is happening at the actual venue.

On a Final Note

Come to think of it, it’s still a good thing that the pandemic happened in this generation. Imagine if this happened in the previous years where there’s no Internet. How will engaged couples fulfill their dream of having a wedding? We’re still lucky that we have this medium wherein we can all connect online and feel the presence of one another even though we’re miles apart. Love wins!

 

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