Let’s move beyond the obvious reason why so many couples have chosen to livestream their weddings in 2020 and talk about the real benefits.
Get married where YOU want.
I’ve seen so many brides settle on a venue or reception location because it was simply the half way point of travel for their guests. Though that may seem like the necessary thing to do, live-streaming can prevent you from settling on a location because it’s “just easier”. Choose an intimate location you love and your friends or family can watch right from their smartphone or their living room.
It’s budget friendly.
Providing dinner for 200 people may not fit into your budget but 50-100 do. Maybe you don’t want the cost of a large venue to support that many guests. Save money by reducing your guest list and splurge on other things; like your dress or honeymoon.
But no matter your reason, live-streaming may save you a lot of headaches.
So where do you start?
We all know Facebook and YouTube offer live-streaming, but are those the best options? There are dozens of wedding specific alternatives for your livestream and they all have some amazing benefits compared to the two major platforms I mentioned. A simple google search will unveil a plethora of options.
I don’t want to go into a long list of providers but I can say, if your looking to DIY your livestream, this is what you should look for.
Tech support.
Choose a platform that offers 24/7 tech support. You don’t want to be caught of guard or have a problem on the day of and not be able to reach out for help.
Unlimited viewers.
Don’t be limited. That kind of defeats the purpose. You want anyone and everyone able to watch when you’re walking down the aisle.
Simple one-click access.
You don’t want the hassle of sending your friends and family through several links to find your wedding. Find a provider who offers a shareable URL directly to your stream.
Do your research and find the best option for you.
Day of set up.
Now that you’ve chosen the streaming service you like, it’s time to talk about placement.
There are couple different options here if your DIY’ing your stream.
Option #1
Have a friend or family member in charge of streaming the ceremony. Preferably someone on the inside of the aisle close to the front. This will ensure your virtual guests have a great view and will be able to hear your vows.
Drawback to this option: You may find the person in charge is a little obtrusive to your other guests and they could absolutely show up in pictures of the ceremony holding the streaming device.
Option #2
You could purchase a tripod with the proper mounting equipment for your device and place it at the back of the ceremony, typically on the last row. This would make your photographer’s job much easier and keep other guests from having to look over the device should you have it up front near the alter.
However, something to consider, you may find the audio sub par. Your virtual guests may not be able to hear the officiant or your vows with device so far back.
If you don’t like the hassle of setting all of this up and giving the responsibility to a friend or family member, talk your vendors.
Having a professional on site is hugely beneficial and can ensure everything goes to plan. From camera placement to audio quality.
Some, like myself, offer all of these amazing options with an added value of being on site and having the right equipment to make sure your wedding is seen and heard by your virtual guests.
If your interested in learning more about live-streaming your big day contact me.