The Best Guide to Planning a Virtual Wedding

Did you know that around 12 to 13 million weddings take place in India each year? The massive number of weddings has helped create a $50 billion industry, which is even considered safe from recession. But even this recession-proof industry isn’t safe from coronavirus.

Restrictions have been imposed on wedding gatherings, ruining the plans of millions of people who were to be wed in 2020. The only options that most people are left with are to either postpone the wedding or get married without being surrounded by their friends and family. Neither of which sounds great.

Luckily, there is a third option as well, and that is to transform the big fat Indian wedding into a wedding from home! In other words, have a virtual wedding. Here’s how you can plan your perfect virtual wedding.

1. Choose the Platform

There are several platforms that can be used to have a virtual wedding, such as Facebook Live, Google Hangout, Instagram Live and Zoom. But among these, the best suited for a wedding is Zoom. However, if you do decide to use Zoom, it would be best to use the paid version. Even the most affordable paid plan allows meetings of up to 100 participants for 24 hours! The plan also allows 1 GB of M4A or MP4 cloud recording. And if you are thinking of inviting more people, there are also plans which allow 1,000 participants.

If you feel like saving, then a useful tip is using Facebook Live. You can create a private group with your guests, and at the decided time, they can log in for the ceremony. But it is important to consider that not everyone would have a Facebook account.

2. Get the Hardware Ready

Having the right equipment is essential for a virtual wedding. The bare minimum includes a laptop, smartphone, or tablet with a camera. You might also want to get a tripod stand to keep the camera steady throughout the ceremony. Also, ensure that you have a high-speed router and internet connection. Your wedding is one thing you would not want to be ruined because of a bad internet connection.

Having some funds in a savings account can ensure that you have enough finances to get all the required equipment. Another great savings tip is to open a fixed deposit account.

3. Coordinate with Vendors

A virtual wedding does not require many vendors, but you might want a photographer. But ensure that you maintain proper distancing from the photographer at all times. You can give those close-up shots a miss in 2020. Also, tell them you are streaming live and the position of the camera, so that they do not interrupt it.

If you are planning to do a traditional wedding, you might also want to have a priest to conduct the ceremonies. Ensure that social distancing is maintained in this case as well.

4. Inform the Guests

Once you have decided on the date and time, create e-invites for the guests. In the invitation, write the time, date and the link of the Zoom or Facebook meeting. You can also include instructions about how to join the meeting.

A virtual wedding would cost a lot less in most cases. But still, there can be many expenses. This is why following useful investment tips, such as having some funds in a fixed deposit, can be a good idea.