If there’s anything this pandemic has taught us (besides religious hand washing), it’s the power of technology. We’re lucky to live in a digital age where information is at our fingertips, video chat is on our screens, and wedding planning is possible from the couch! How about a Live Stream Wedding?

Many engaged couples aren’t letting things like a global pandemic or social distance get in their way of getting married. Because love always wins. Instead, they’re finding creative ways to make their wedding plans happen—from Skype consultations with vendors to Zoom bridal showers. Where there’s a tech-savvy will, there’s a way!

Here’s how to virtually plan every aspect of your wedding. And even live stream the big day!

1. Virtual Venue Tours

During the COVID-19 quarantine, many wedding venues are offering personal site tours via FaceTime and Skype! You can virtually “walk” through the event spaces with the venue’s on-site coordinator, talk through what your wedding could look like at their location, and ask questions as they come up in real time. What better way to find your ideal venue from home than with a one-on-one virtual site tour?

This is a great chance to get to know the venue coordinator and discuss details. Also, since it’s happening on your device, you can screenshot or record key moments of the walkthrough! Treat this just like a normal site tour, and don’t be shy about asking to see everything that you want to see.

2. Virtual Vendor Consultations

Sure, some wedding things simply can’t be accomplished virtually. You can’t have a digital hair & makeup trial, for example, or an on-screen cake tasting. But regardless of the service, virtual consultations with vendors are a fabulous way to get to e-meet each other!

Set up an initial consultation via Skype or FaceTime with prospective coordinators, photographers, videographers, floral designers, etc. They can show you samples of their best work, send over links to past wedding galleries, and talk you through the nitty-gritty details of their packages and contracts. If they have a showroom, schedule a virtual walkthrough with them. Just be sure to reference our questions to ask your wedding vendors before your e-consultations!

3. Virtual Pre-Wedding Events

We’re gonna walk you through how to live stream your wedding below, but we know a remote wedding isn’t for everyone. If you need to postpone your in-person wedding due to the coronavirus pandemic, but STILL want some quality time with your wedding party and guests, host a virtual pre-wedding bash!

Consider having a live stream bridal shower or even a bach-party-themed virtual happy hour! Just because we’re socially distanced doesn’t mean the socializing has to stop. Take advantage of technology and use it to get your nearest and dearest together now. We promise it’ll lift your spirits and get everyone even more excited for the big day to come!

Pro Tip: In lieu of gifts, you can always ask your guests to share their favorite recipe, memory of the couple, or tip for a wonderful marriage. It will be fun, interactive, and FREE for all!

4. Live Stream Wedding

If you’re a modern, forward-thinking couple who wants to tie the knot NOW regardless of what’s going on in the world, then a live stream wedding is for you! All you really need is a snappy internet connection and basic technology. Here’s how to get it together:

• Choose a streaming service
  There are a lot of great, free streaming services out there. Consider a platform like Zoom, Facebook Live, or YouTube Live. And if you can’t decide on just one, why not stream to multiple websites so your guests have options?
  
  There are also apps like WebWed Mobile that offer private live stream weddings along with the option to get your marriage license and an officiant through the app. Talk about a one-stop shop! And Wedfuly will facilitate your Zoom wedding ceremony—completely free!

• Coordinate Vendors
  Even if all non-essential businesses are technically closed, your officiant can still perform the wedding ceremony entirely online. No gathering required! To make it legal, you’ll want to get your marriage license signed and mailed in just as soon as you’re able.
  
  

• Invite Guests
  Since you’re getting married virtually, why not go the digital route with your wedding invitations, too? Companies like Paperless Post and Greenvelope deliver elegant electronic invitations that emulate the experience of opening a “traditional” printed invitation.

• Set Up
  Put your phone or tablet on a tripod, open up the windows for some pretty natural light, frame the ceremony with some potted plants, and put some music on to set the mood. You may also want to have a champagne toast on hand to pop bottles post-ceremony!

• Rehearse!
  Do a rehearsal so you can be sure your technology and devices are all working properly and you can easily navigate through the streaming platform. Test your WiFi connection to make sure it’s fast and strong. Make sure the lighting is on point, make sure sound is getting picked up and there’s no feedback, and that camera angles are capturing the right moments!
  
  You’ll also want to consider taking advantage of some of your live-stream platform’s functionalities. For example, Zoom has a “Switch Camera” option that allows for multiple views of your ceremony on different devices, and also allows you to record the session.
  
  Pro Tip: Consider putting a trusted friend, family member, or wedding vendor in charge of the wedding day tech so you don’t have to worry about it.

• Dress Up
  This may not be the exact day that you envisioned, but you can still be a vision on your big day! Choose to wear THE dress or go for something a little more casual (perhaps the dress you planned for your rehearsal dinner). Guys can throw on that formal tux or go for sharp jeans and a sport coat. You’re the star of this show, so get yourself gussied up in whatever strikes your fancy!
  
  Pro Tip: Tell guests to mute their audio until after your vows and first kiss happen.

*DISCLAIMER* While many states are now honoring legal virtual marriages, other states require an in-person officiant—and possibly even a witness—be physically present to make a marriage legally binding. Be sure to check your particular state’s requirements before deciding on a virtual wedding. But hey, you can always marry now, make it legal later!

5. Throw a Virtual After Party

Use a platform like Google Hangouts to have a virtual “reception” with your guests! Tell them to get dressed to the nines and get ready to par-tay.

Include some formalities if you’d like: Hook up your speaker and have your first dance. Cut a homemade cake. Make your signature cocktail (the “Quarantini” perhaps?) and give guests the recipe in advance so they can drink with you. Open up the “mic” and let your guests make a toast. Throw the most epic virtual bash any of your guests have ever seen.

6. Have Your Cake and Eat It, Too

Many couples are opting for streamed ceremonies now with plans to host vow renewal ceremonies, receptions, or just a really awesome party to celebrate after this pandemic blows over and people are able to gather again. So even if you have a digital ceremony today, you can STILL have your dream wedding later.

Bonus: By the time your new wedding date comes around, the pressure is off! You’re already married AND you get to marry your favorite person twice.

Bonus-Bonus: You get two excuses every year to pop champagne and take yourselves out for a fancy “anniversary” dinner. How many couples can say that?!