If you and your partner are marrying in a far-flung location or have guests who can’t attend the wedding, there may be a way to share the event live with those not present. Bring your family and friends together by Live streaming your wedding. Live streaming can also be used for funerals, birthday parties, etc.
Ever since the live streaming phenomenon took off, more and more couples are deciding to stream their wedding online. This could be because people want a way to participate even if they can’t make it physically or because of covid, looting or of high prices for guests who would like to attend.
A live stream allows people who may not attend in person to watch the ceremony unfold. All you need is a computer, tablet, or smartphone on hand–no extra equipment required!
Why should I live stream my wedding?
- Live stream allows people who cannot attend in person to watch the ceremony unfold.
- Due to Covid, most events allow for 50 people, and you would want to leave anyone out, so live streaming an event will help those we could attend.
- You can share your wedding day with friends and family members who live far away or are on a tight budget without being there physically.
How much does it cost?
The good news is that if you do decide to live streaming your wedding, this doesn’t mean you have to spend an arm and a leg for all of those extras: Our live streaming services start from R1500 per hour and depending on how many hours of coverage you need, number of cameras we use and the platform.
Common Live Streaming Platforms
With the increased popularity of live streaming, there is a wide variety of options when it comes to where to stream your wedding. The most common live-streaming platforms are Facebook Live, Instagram TV, YouTube Live, and Zoom.
Live Streaming Best Practice:
Streaming live to viewers is a popular option for many weddings. This allows online audiences to be thrilled by the event, hear claps and expressions of admiration but also have their camera that behaves as an additional guest in the room.
You can also decide if only people with the link can join your live stream. This is important if you want to keep your stream private. If you want guests to join in via video and audio (using Zoom, Google Meet or GoToMeeting), then you should only give your link to specific participants.
- Start the video experience ahead of your ceremony start time and have virtual guests join unmuted so that they can greet each other. This will allow all attendees at the event to say hello.
- Live-stream your ceremony and share the link with all your guests, even if they are unable to attend—that way, everyone can go live and hear comments from remote attendees.
- After the speeches, you can create a virtual shout-out. Ask key at-home guests to prepare something they want to say and then make a loose run order, so they know when they will be called upon to share their thoughts. This is also an excellent time for you to ask in-person attendees or those that we’re unable to attend your wedding too.
- Ahead of your wedding day, create an ‘absent buds’ care package to ship to your virtual guests. Include a formal invitation for them, photos from the big day that they can share with their social networks, and either one of your signature drinks or a recipe for items you’ll send them ahead of time, like cupcakes made according to the cake’s recipe. You could also include stickers or other giftware as part of the package. Those whom register must dress up if they wish to feel involved on their end authentically!