Virtual Wedding Ideas

So you’ve decided it’s time to go virtual for your wedding celebration, but you are worried that far away guests won’t feel as connected. In the age of technology, we have seen time and time again that a virtual connection, when supplemented by thoughtful curation and intention can be just as meaningful! Let’s dive into a few virtual wedding ideas that will bring your guests right into the moments with you.

What should you include in your livestream?

When planning to livestream your wedding, you’ll want to make sure that your guests don’t miss a single second of the momentous occasion. Here is the quick rundown of the elements to include in your own unique ways.

Wedding Introduction

Either your officiant or a virtual wedding emcee can welcome the guests to the livestream. You can customize this experience by having this person converse with each family/guest group personally (ex: “Hey Smith family how are you doing today? Where are you viewing from?).

Wedding Processional

This is typically when the bridal party and couple walk into the wedding ceremony. You can play around with some fun things here. Maybe a camera in your bouquet so guests can see your view as you walk in. Or you can create a casual atmosphere where you are already in the ceremony space.

Abbi Cooley Photography

Wedding Ceremony

From the personal vows and I do’s to the pronouncement, THIS is why your guests are tuning in from far and wide! To see your love story transform and unfold into a beautiful marriage. My favorite part of the ceremony will always be the grins on the happy couple’s faces after the first kiss and pronouncement!

Recessional

Another tradition in weddings is the receiving line. You could use this time to chat and greet your virtual guests. While on-site guests transition to a reception or dining space.

First dance

This special moment between you and your partner can still be grounded in the present. You could include for your guests some information about the song you chose and why. So they too feel connected to the moment.

Toasts

Whether this be toasts from your guests attending in person or virtually, this time of storytelling always creates a memorable connection at wedding celebrations.

Cake Cutting

Having elements of your day that still reflect a traditional wedding day and foster a sense of connection between you and your spouse is important. Even with just a small cake for cutting and the couple to enjoy, you get to serve one another in a special way as a first.

Evangeline Eo Photography

Before the virtual wedding, send them something to celebrate with

A great virtual wedding idea is to surprise your guests with a thoughtful touch that lets them know you are thinking of them. Some may choose to go all out and make sure guests have a party box filled with champagne, mini cakes, and place cards to display. Others may create individual unique gifts based on your relationships with each guest. Even a physical program they receive in the mail letting them know the itinerary for the day can increase the connection over the internet!

If you have a signature cocktail, you can send your guests the recipe or ingredients for them to make it at home for the toasts. Party hats with the happy couple’s faces on them can be quite whimsical. Or even sweet treats that are personalized with the guest’s names on them.

Let them share stories, feelings, and well wishes with you during your virtual wedding

Traditionally this has been done in the form of toasts on the wedding day. In lieu of having guests all be physically present, you could invite some to record video messages that are turned into a welcome video for your livestream. Or ask your guests to write down their favorite memories with you so you can read them during the ceremony or interludes. Or ask guests to share live during the ceremony so they feel included in the event from afar.

The Vondys Photography

Create breakout rooms based on family or friend groupings

There are quite a few virtual wedding ideas that will mirror some of the usual traditions at a wedding. For instance, greeting table by table. You can draft a schedule with specific times you’ll pop into a Zoom chat or a Facebook group to congregate with a smaller group of guests. This personalized time together can either be freeform or you could include a fun activity to do together. Speaking of…

Add in fun activities or games for your virtual wedding

Something that can potentially include all your guests from afar. Maybe you play the shoe game with questions taken directly from your guests live on the spot. Or you create a fun bingo card with wedding day phrases or occurrences for guests to interact with during the event.

Haley Rynn Ringo Photography

Take something you love and turn it into a game. Disney fans could hide hidden Mickey’s in each location they plan to live stream from.

Decorate with your guests in mind

Don’t forget to get creative when it comes to throwing your unique style into your virtual wedding planning ideas! Create a giant photo backdrop with each invited guest’s photo for a draw-dropping surprise! Consider making this a virtual backdrop on your favorite app so guests can get in on the fun as well.

Include a drive-by parade with your virtual wedding

For nearby guests, you can opt to take your wedding to the streets and invite guests to decorate their cars in celebration. A cute lounge area for you and your partner to pose at also makes for a great photo op!

Kami Arant Photography

Have a virtual dance party

Sometimes you just have to dance the blues away, so why not include a mini virtual dance party at your wedding. Many DJs are now offering hourly rates for guests to be able to get off the couch and put their dancing shoes on.

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Hey, I’m Sarah – the face behind Kindred Weddings and Events. Let me tell you, before becoming an intimate wedding planner, I knew I was being drawn to a creative work that emphasized relationships! Becoming engaged, navigating the planning process, and maintaining a healthy marriage go hand-in-hand with all of the other relationships in your life. Marriage is the reason I work in the wedding industry. I don’t do it for that one special wedding day. I do it for every day that follows after I do! 

And if you’d like to have someone like me on your vendor team to help you brainstorm virtual wedding ideas to keep your guests connected and feeling loved on, check out my small wedding planning services!