For most newlyweds-to-be, part of the joy from planning their weddings comes with the knowledge of sharing their special days with friends and family. Inevitably, some invitees are unable to make it to the nuptials for a variety of reasons. Thanks to modern innovations, you now have the option of livestreaming your celebration. Broadcasting your “I do” over broadband allows booked up, shut-in or far-flung loved ones to witness you tie the knot from practically anywhere in the world.
Professional Livestreaming Services
A 2016 InStyle article revealed that several companies now offer a wide range of end-to-end broadcasting capabilities. Some supply their own equipment and professional staff, while others partner with local videographers to run real-time footage through their own servers. Others focus on helping couples craft a total social media strategy, coordinating with your vendors for photographs and using already existing video services such as Facebook Live.
Many DIY Broadcasting Options Also Exist
If your budget is limited or if you desire to directly govern the livestreaming process, plenty of tools are at your disposal. Offbeat Bride lists some commonly used options such as Apple’s FaceTime, Skype, UStream and Google Hangouts. To employ these methods, the writers advise having access to several essentials:
- A reliable wi-fi or broadband connection
- A camera-equipped laptop, desktop computer, smartphone or tablet
- A streaming plan that permits high-quality video transmission
- Tripod mounts, if you’re using a smartphone or tablet device
Moreover, it’s wise to plan and test your setup in advance to ensure the reliability of your connection and footage. Make sure your video device is placed in an area that clearly captures the action, yet is also out of the way of foot traffic. Also, disable any screen savers or sleep functions on your equipment to reduce the chances of interruption. Finally, make sure your guests have the link or landing page where your stream will be available, along with any passwords required to access it.
Factors to Consider in Planning Your Livestream
Depending on your finances and level of control desired over the process, you might either hire a professional service or set up a livestream yourself with commonly available technologies. Making sure that all details are in place well in advance of the ceremony, whether with your streaming provider or your own configuration, is prudent. Also, you’ll need to check in with your venue to ensure that broadcasting your wedding online doesn’t violate any of its policies. Furthermore, you’ll need to be careful when it comes to copyrighted music performed during your festivities. Your video vendor may take care of muting your sound during these portions, but you’ll need to put someone in charge of performing the same task if you’re streaming your celebrations on your own.
Besides all these considerations, it may also be prudent to make your stream available only to those whom you’ve actively invited to your wedding. In the aforementioned Bride online article, digital lifestyle expert David Ryan Polgar cautions against “playing favorites,” asking some to celebrate with you in person while relegating others to only view your livestreamed ceremony. After all, the idea of broadcasting your special day online is to expand access to those unable to attend.
Saying “I Do” in the Digital Age
New cultural, social and technological developments change human customs and traditions. The impact of social media and livestreaming on weddings is no different. While online broadcasting can be a wonderful tool to bring people together who are separated by distance, care must be taken to get the most out of your experience. Thorough preparation and observing proper etiquette are both vital to making sure that all goes smoothly on your special day.
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