Virtual Wedding: Make It Special With These Tips

Planning a virtual wedding can be challenging, but with careful planning and attention to detail, it can be a magical and memorable experience for all involved. Here are some tips to make your virtual wedding special:

- Set a date and create a guest list: Choose a date that is significant to you and your partner, and consider time zone differences for guests joining from different locations. Decide on the number of virtual guests and compile their contact information.

- Send out invitations: Create beautiful, personalized invitations with a monogrammed wax seal, ribbon, dried flowers, or other creative touches. Include a link or QR code to help guests join the livestream or video call.

- Choose a reliable virtual platform: Select a user-friendly platform that can accommodate your guest count and offers features like screen sharing, chat options, and recording capabilities. Test the platform's video and audio quality in advance to ensure a smooth experience.

- Plan the ceremony: Collaborate with an officiant or create a personalized script with meaningful vows and readings. Consider incorporating live or pre-recorded music to add a special touch.

- Set up your space: Decorate your space with flowers, customized virtual backgrounds, or other items that align with your wedding theme or personal style. Pay attention to lighting to ensure you are well-illuminated and easily visible on camera.

- Rehearse and test technical setup: Conduct rehearsals to practice the flow of the virtual wedding and familiarize yourself with the platform's features. Test your internet connection, camera angles, and lighting to ensure a glitch-free experience.

- Engage your guests: Incorporate interactive activities, games, virtual photo booths, and live music performances to entertain your guests and create a festive atmosphere. Greet guests as they join the video call and interact with them through comments or breakout rooms.

- Virtual reception and gifts: Plan a virtual reception with a toast, well wishes, and celebrations. Create a wedding registry and communicate it to your guests through your website or invitations.

- Photography and videography: Arrange for a professional photographer or tech-savvy guest to capture screenshots and record the ceremony and reception, preserving the memories of your special day.

Create a virtual photo booth

A virtual photo booth is a great way to keep your guests entertained and create lasting memories of your special day. There are several ways to create a virtual photo booth for your wedding. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Choose a Platform

First, you'll need to select a virtual photo booth platform. There are several options available, such as VirtualBooth, Snapbar, or The Photo Booth App. These platforms typically offer features like customisation options, filters, stickers, and frames. Some platforms may also offer additional features like GIF creation, boomerangs, and social media sharing capabilities.

Customise Your Booth

Customise your virtual photo booth to match your wedding theme or colour scheme. You can upload your own graphics, text, and images to create a branded experience. For example, you can include your wedding hashtag or a personalised message for your guests. You can also choose from a variety of backgrounds, filters, and stickers to enhance the photos.

Provide Instructions

Ensure your guests know how to access and use the virtual photo booth. Send them a customised URL or a QR code that they can scan to access the booth directly from their mobile devices. You can also provide instructions on how to use the different features, such as applying filters or adding stickers.

Encourage Interaction

Make your virtual photo booth a fun and interactive experience for your guests. You can encourage them to take selfies, pictures with their friends, or capture special moments like the cake-cutting or the first dance. Consider providing props, such as party hats or wedding-themed accessories, to make the photos even more fun and memorable.

Create a Slideshow

Compile all the photos taken by your guests into a slideshow that can be displayed during the wedding. This will create a sense of community and allow everyone to see each other's creative shots. You can also use the photos to create a unique digital wedding guest book that captures the joy and celebration of your special day.

By following these steps, you can create a virtual photo booth that engages your guests and adds a special touch to your virtual wedding. It will allow your guests to interact and have fun while also providing a way to capture and cherish these memories forever.

Send guests a care package with treats

Sending guests a care package with treats is a wonderful way to make your virtual wedding feel extra special. Here are some ideas to elevate your guests' experience and create a memorable celebration:

Select a Variety of Treats

Choose an assortment of goodies that your guests will enjoy. This can include sweet treats such as chocolates, truffles, or mini desserts. You could also include a miniature bottle of champagne or sparkling wine for a festive touch. If your guests have diverse tastes, consider offering a few options so they can indulge in their favourites.

Customise the Packaging

Make the care package feel extra special by customising the packaging. You could use elegant boxes with your initials or monogram, or opt for decorative bags with ribbons and dried flowers. Adding a personal touch to the packaging will create a wonderful keepsake for your guests to remember your wedding by.

Include a Thoughtful Note

Write a heartfelt note to include in each care package. Thank your guests for their support and express your excitement for celebrating with them. You could also include a fun message related to the treats, such as a quote about love and sweets, or a playful poem.

Send the Packages in Advance

Plan to send the care packages well in advance of your wedding day. This will allow your guests to receive and enjoy the treats during the celebration. It also gives them time to prepare any necessary items, such as a bottle opener for champagne or a platter for the treats.

Encourage Guests to Indulge During the Reception

Let your guests know that the treats are meant to be enjoyed during the virtual reception. They can savour the goodies while watching the ceremony, or you can suggest that they wait until a specific moment, such as when the cake is being cut, to create a shared experience.

Add Some Fun Extras

Consider adding some extra items to the care package to enhance the celebration. For example, you could include noisemakers, festive party hats, or twinkle lights. These additions will create a festive atmosphere and encourage your guests to fully embrace the joy of your special day.

Involve guests with games and breakout rooms

There are many ways to involve guests with games and breakout rooms during a virtual wedding. Here are some ideas to make your virtual wedding special and engaging for your guests:

Care Packages and Greetings:

Place your wedding invites into care packages for each guest, including treats such as sweets or a miniature bottle of champagne. On the day of the wedding, greet guests as they join the video call and interact with them through comments or during the reception. For smaller guest lists, consider having a virtual sit-down dinner together.

Party Games and Breakout Rooms:

Party games are a great way to involve your guests and create a festive atmosphere. Use the breakout room feature on video calls to divide your guests into teams and assign a specific task or challenge to each group. This will encourage interaction and a friendly sense of competition among your guests.

Virtual Photo Booths:

Set up virtual photo booths to encourage guests to take and share their best looks. This can be done by creating a specific virtual background or using photo-taking features on video conferencing platforms. Encourage guests to post their photos on social media with a unique wedding hashtag.

Interactive Features and Activities:

Add interactive features to your virtual wedding, such as trivia games, live music performances, or virtual toasts. For example, you can have guests introduce themselves and make speeches, just like they would at a traditional wedding.

Themed Events and Dress Codes:

Theme your virtual wedding or encourage guests to wear a specific dress code. This could be as simple as wearing the same colour or going all out with a creative virtual background. A themed event will make your guests feel more involved and create a sense of unity, even when they are physically apart.

By incorporating these ideas, you can make your virtual wedding special and memorable for both you and your guests. These interactive elements will foster a sense of celebration and joy, ensuring that your guests feel like they are actively participating in your special day.

Designate a photographer to capture the day

Photographs are an essential part of any wedding, and virtual weddings are no exception. Here are some tips to ensure you capture the day:

Firstly, choose your photographer carefully. You may want to opt for a professional who has experience with virtual weddings and can guide you through the process. They should be able to advise on the best way to set up the shoot, including the placement of the couple, the officiant, and any guests who may be in attendance. It is also crucial that your photographer is familiar with the virtual platform you have chosen for your wedding, so they know how to capture the best angles and avoid obstructing the camera view.

If you are unable to hire a professional, consider asking a talented guest or family member to be your designated photographer. They should be comfortable with the equipment they will be using and have a good understanding of lighting and composition.

Before the big day, create a shot list with your photographer to ensure they know exactly what moments to capture. This list can include details such as the couple's first look, the exchange of vows and rings, and any special readings or performances. It is also a good idea to ask your photographer to take photos of the set-up, including any decorations, flowers, or other special touches you have included.

On the day of the wedding, ensure your photographer arrives early to set up their equipment and do a test run. They should be mindful of staying out of the way of the camera view, especially during key moments. If possible, have them take photos from different angles and capture the reactions of guests, either virtual or in-person, to create a diverse album that truly tells the story of your special day.

Finally, don't forget to get photos of the guests! While this may be more challenging with a virtual wedding, it is not impossible. Encourage your guests to share their screenshots or photos from the day, and consider creating a shared album where everyone can upload their favorite memories.

By following these tips, you will be able to designate a photographer to capture your virtual wedding day, ensuring that you have beautiful photos to cherish and look back on for years to come.

Plan a virtual reception with music and games

Planning a virtual reception with music and games is a great way to make your virtual wedding feel special. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Music

Hire a band or DJ, or enlist a musically inclined friend to provide the entertainment. Live music will make your virtual wedding feel festive and exciting. If you can, include music during the modified procession, recession, and after-party to make the event feel more like a traditional wedding. If you're working with a smaller budget, consider creating a collaborative playlist with your guests ahead of time that everyone can listen to during the reception.

Games

There are many games you can play during a virtual reception to keep your guests entertained. Here are some ideas:

• Virtual "Wheel of Fortune": A fun PowerPoint game inspired by the classic TV game show. It's completely customisable, so you can include wedding-themed phrases, inside jokes, or references to the couple.
• Scattergories: This classic board game is easy to play virtually, as long as your guests have pen and paper. You can make up categories ahead of time or download a Windows version.
• Wedding Story Charades: Stick to wedding-themed clues for this classic game. Think wedding-centric movies, books, songs, and even real-life nuptials.
• Never Have I Ever: A fun drinking game that requires no supplies, aside from a list of funny or embarrassing situations.
• Jeopardy with a Wedding Twist: Most guests will be familiar with this game, and you can add your own twists, such as including a prize.
• Wedding Trivia: Share your screen and play a digital pack of trivia with wedding-themed questions.
• Bingo: Spice up this classic game by offering prizes that have special meaning to you and your partner.
• Jenga and Connect 4: Your guests will love competing in these classic games for everyone to see.
• Scavenger Hunt: Purchase an inexpensive ring and create adorable clues based on memorable moments from your relationship.

Frequently asked questions