Virtual weddings are unconventional. Pre-Covid I would not have recommended it; … but I love this weddings for joy of the celebration! And even though we are distant, it does not mean we can’t celebrate.

Uncertain times call for unconventional methods. Above all, I’m a believer that we are social creators, and like a moth to a flame, we will find a way to be together.

So let’s transfer the elements of an in-person wedding to a virtual platform! With a go-with-the-flow attitude and minor logistical changes you can still have a beautiful celebration! Here’s your step by step creative guide:

1. Pick a Theme:

Decide how you want your wedding day to look and feel. What personal touches were you planning in your ‘traditional’ wedding. How can we get creative with adding those to your virtual one. For example,

“Cheers” - Send out a mini cocktail kit to your guests so you can all cheers and toast with the same personalized cocktail in hand.
“Dance” - Have all of your guests contribute one of their favorite songs to a Google doc and make a customized playlist and living room virtual dance party.
“Dine Together” - Send out a themed dinner recipe for all of your guests to make at home.

2. Decide on your wedding date:

Do you want to keep your original date you already planned or make a new one? With most guests, this date change should be easily accommodated given that they will not need to leave their home.

3. Pick a technology platform, get your technology gear, and test.

Many are choosing Zoom because of it’s ease of use. Note there is an additional charge for over 40 minutes of time but you do get a lot of benefits.

Another great option is to use a Facebook live event but you won’t have some of the muting and breakout room options.

Once you select your technology platform, we recommend setting up some pre-celebration calls with select guests like parents and those less familiar with the technology so you can do a ‘test run’. Particularly important is to get used to features you like muting/unmuting their mic, turning on and off their camera, and using the chat function. You may also want to test run a tripod or some eye level camera angles so that everyone has a great shot of your ceremony.

4. Communicate your new wedding plan with your guests

Let guests know your intention to have a virtual wedding. You don’t need every detail figured out, but give your guests the opportunity to ‘save-the-date’ just like you would for an in-person event. Ideally you want to direct them to a website where you can update information as you have it and communicate as you develop the plan. By keeping their guests updated via a website, they avoid a swarm of emails and you avoid constant questions from guests.

5. Execute your virtual wedding

On the day of the wedding, you will want a co-host to help monitor and admit guests to join the Zoom room, and quickly silence mics if anyone accidentally came off mute during the ceremony, toasts, etc.. You may consider asking a friend or family member to introduce what’s coming up next in the schedule and introduce anyone that’s speaking, giving toasts, etc.. You will also want to create and communicate a timeline for your wedding. Just like an in-person event guest will want to know what to expect. Make sure to give guests plenty of breaks to get up, move around, and grab food/drinks in your timeline so everyone isn’t just sitting at their computer for hours. Try to keep the virtual meeting less than 2 hours as that is the max most people can sit in front of a screen.

Here is a suggested Virtual Wedding timeline to help:

Pre-ceremony: 3:45 pm

Invite guests into the meeting early to mingle and build excitement. Ask your co-host to break out guests into breakout rooms so everyone can easily participate.
At 3:55 pm, let a co-host introduce themselves and quickly review any zoom etiquette.

Ceremony: 4:00 pm

Lock the Zoom room during the ceremony to ensure there are no disruptions. Mute all lines to ensure no background noise. ‘Spotlight’ yourself so you have a beautiful recording.
At the very end, have a trusted co-host unmute everyone to clap and cheer.

Post Ceremony Break Out Room Reception: 4:25 pm

After the ceremony, have a cohost send guests into small break out rooms to mingle. While the co-host is doing this, take the time to quickly sign your marriage license! Then pop into each room for group photos.
Encourage guests to turn off cameras and get up / move around and grab a drink as needed and to prepare for toasts.

Toasts & First Dance: 5:00pm

Introduce each speaker, then put that person’s camera on spotlight view for the wedding toast / recording.
Mute all other guests during the toasts. At the end of each toast, unmuted everyone for a shared “cheers!” and glass clinking.
After toasts you may mute all guests and turn on music for your ‘first dance’.
After toasts are done, say a few heartfelt words thanking everyone for their participation.

Optional:

Dinner: You may ask everyone to break to get their dinner (or suggest a shared dinner theme) Ask guests to join small breakout rooms as “dinner tables” where the bride and groom can visit each room to say hello and allow more mingling with all of their guests.

Dancing: Followed by a few songs where they encouraged everyone to get up and dance
Slideshow or Quiz: Play a slideshow with photos at the end of your virtual event so guests can stay on an enjoy your journey. Or end with a “How Well Do You Know The Couple” quiz and then a group goodbye.

Get your creative juices flowing for your virtual wedding. Feel free to contact us and we can help!

Cheers,

Pomegranate Occasions