Live stream your love dream                                               

Many romances started online, so it’s no surprise that couples who met on Bumble or Tinder are sliding into virtual weddings as smoothly as they once slipped into each other’s DMs.

Rather than digital as a last resort, technology has led the charge and become more user friendly, adding a sophisticated third dimension – the hybrid wedding.

While the hybrid wedding offers many new options, you have some key considerations to factor in, such as attention span, sound, lighting and bandwidth.

If there’s no hashtag, was it even a wedding?

Especially during the pandemic, but also, for cost and logistics reasons, some out-of-area guests will often prefer a hybrid event.

Steps to take before your live-streamed wedding

Friends might be tech savvy but maybe not your grandmother. Therefore  prepare everyone as to how the wedding will work.

1. Advise folks ahead of time what’s accepted in terms of phones, streaming and recording

2. Create the all-important wedding hashtag and explain how hashtags work to connect everyone

3. Help virtual guests feel more involved by guiding them in how they can use technology to feel part of the ceremony

4. Provide details of how to set up and enable audio and video at least a week in advance. Rookies will need time to get their heads around setting up a Skype or Zoom account.

5. Create virtual waiting rooms or lounges so everyone can mingle before the event: breakout sessions and hangouts are ideal for guests to chat in groups or one-on-ones, like a networking event.

What kind of streaming works best for weddings?

Smartphone quality these days is excellent. Think about having several cameras set up at different angles to toggle between views to add variety. For more intimacy, ensure your videographer gets some close-ups of you and your spouse.

Don’t forget the background

Wherever you’re being married, test your video angles and backdrops before the big day. Work out the angles so you know who will be on screen and how to enable close-ups. Importantly, look at the background. Take a screenshot to see how everything looks; you might want to consider styling your wedding space for the day or using a virtual background.

What video platform works best for virtual weddings?

This is a tough one as the platform you use will depend on your level of skill, and whether or not you engage a professional or enthusiastic amateur to be your videographer. Platforms to consider come with pros and cons. Below, we cover just two of many:

• Vimeo       Used by many professionals and can stream to Facebook or YouTube. To live-stream, you’ll need to buy a Premium plan but you might take it up for a couple of months only.

• Zoom        Although basic Zoom is a free service, your ‘free’ time is limited to 40 minutes if you’re hosting three or more people. To live stream your entire wedding, you’ll need to invest in the professional service. The benefits of Zoom include a ‘switch camera option’ for multiple views, and an easy-to-use recording feature.

What other equipment do I need to live-stream my wedding?

Invest in, or rent, any additional equipment such as video cameras and an AV screen. Google Chromecast plugs into any TV or monitor and can stream content from your phone to a big screen. It’s free but you will need to subscribe to a service like Netflix to access it.

You might even bring in a drone for aerial shots, although check with local area regulations as well as the Australian Civil Aviation Authority first.

Testing, testing, testing

She’ll be right doesn’t cut it in cyberspace.

Three key areas to perfect are, lighting, sound quality and bandwidth/Wi-Fi.

Lighting checks

With natural light, note the different times of the day or night. If you’re using artificial light, make sure you and your spouse will be well lit.

Sound

Learn where the black spots and no-go zones are.

Wi-Fi and bandwidth

Check the Wi-Fi connections, ensure sufficient bandwidth, have a separate hotspot and have a Plan B.

Meet the AV concierge

If DIYing your wedding live-stream seems overwhelming, consider getting in a professional like Turbo360 to do it all for you.

If you can’t run to the expense of a professional service, think about roping in a friend to be your ‘audio-visual concierge’. Their role is to help with questions, host a practice session with guests before the big day, assist with sign-ups, set ups and log-ins and explain Google hangouts to the grandparents.

Three golden rules for live-streamed weddings

• Mute your guests during the ceremony
• Ensure devices are fully charged
• Don’t forget to push Record

Work with your celebrant on the technology, as well as the details such as signing the registrar and the legal side of the wedding. Our celebrants have officiated at all styles of real and virtual weddings and can ensure your hybrid wedding runs smoothly - by your side in real time.