Stay-at-home COVID-19 orders have forced many couples to cancel their wedding plans for this spring and summer, leading to some initial disappointment. However, inspired by the virtual work-arounds people are creating to keep work and social gatherings going, rather than waiting, couples across the globe have decided that they can still go ahead, and are taking to broadcasting simple weddings online. Here are a few tips if you’re looking for inspiration to do the same.

3 Tips to Planning a Virtual Wedding 

1. Choose a Platform

Apps like Zoom, Google Hangouts, or FaceTime allow users to log on and watch your ceremony through your computer’s camera. You can also watch guests’ reactions on the screen.

Invitations are easy—once you’ve chosen your platform, create an event with a date and time, then email a generated link to guests.

FaceTime allows for up to 32 attendees. Zoom can host up to 100 participants or even more with their business add-on service. Google Hangouts can host 10 groups. You’ll want to think about how many (or how few) guests you want in attendance, and choose your platform accordingly.

2. Decide on Decorations and Theme

Next, choose a theme and location. With limited space at home, many simple weddings are taking place in dining rooms, living rooms, balconies, and backyards.

However, that doesn’t have to limit you! Wedding services like Simple Kona Beach Weddings now offer virtual wedding services to bring a bit of Hawaii to your space with a Hawaiian ceremony with an ocean view. You can either DIY your decor, or they can give you full assistance on how and where to order real Hawaiian flowers and decorations online to help you bring a bit of Hawaii to your home! Who says you still can’t (virtually) run away to Hawaii to get married?

No matter what your theme, you should be able to order flowers and a wedding cake through a delivery service. Otherwise, have fun and order basic desserts and décor from an online store.

Wear your wedding attire or dress casually. The most important part is that you’re tying the knot in front of friends and family.

3. Prepping for Ceremony Day

If you are going to have virtual guests attend (rather than just do a one-on-one with your wedding officiant), you may want to do a practice run the day before with a friend or family member to be sure that you know how to work the technology, and so that things run smoothly the day of!

When the big day comes, place your computer (or phone or ipad) in front of where you plan to be married and launch the video conferencing service. Make sure you have good lighting on your faces, so that your guests can see you! Once all of the guests have signed on, you can move forward with the ceremony.

If you want to be legally married, check with your state’s laws on virtual weddings. For instance, in the state of Hawaii, virtual weddings are not permitted, even at this time, so if you are in the state of Hawaii, and/or your officiant is out of state, and/or your state does not find virtual weddings legal, then know you will either have to put off the legal ceremony until restrictions of in-person gatherings are lifted, or you can have the virtual wedding, and then do the paperwork at the courthouse (now or later, if it isn’t open). Whatever you decide to do, the experience will be one you will never forget!

 

If you’re interested in organizing a virtual wedding, Simple Kona Beach Weddings of Kailua-Kona is here to help. Founder and organizer Becky Ringler brings an extensive background in wedding planning and specializes in putting together intimate gatherings. Whether you’re opting for a simple wedding online or want to plan a beach ceremony in the future, call (888) 582-5775. Learn more about their destination weddings online or by connecting on Facebook.

Photo Credits: Sarah Gehman Photography (top photo); Simple Kona Beach Weddings (photos in post) – actual photos from a virtual service!