Wedding Planning Tips, Your Event Career

Everything You Need to Know about Virtual Weddings

So, you’re thinking of having a virtual wedding? Congratulations! This is a big decision, but it can be SO much fun. In this article, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about virtual weddings.

We’ll start with the basics—what are they, and what do they entail? Then we’ll move on to more specific topics like choosing your location and planning your ceremony. Finally, we’ll give you some tips on how to make your virtual wedding perfect… And why a career as a professional wedding planner might just be the right fit for you!

Already considering a career as a wedding planner? Discover how you can become certified AND launch your very own business in as little as 3 short months!

What Is a Virtual Wedding?

A virtual wedding is a wedding that takes place online, typically via video conference. This can be done through platforms like Skype, Zoom, or even Google Hangouts. The great thing about virtual weddings is that they can be done from anywhere in the world.

To get an even better idea of what virtual weddings are, check out these real-life examples, courtesy of LoveStream!

How Do Virtual Weddings Work?

Now that we know what virtual weddings are, let’s take a look at how they work. Essentially, you and your partner will need to decide on a time and place to get married. Once you’ve done that, you’ll need to find a officiant who is willing to perform the ceremony virtually.

The next step is to invite your guests! You can do this via email, social media, or even by sending out paper invitations. Once you have your guest list finalized, it’s time to start planning the ceremony itself.

This is where things can get really creative—since you’re not limited by a physical space, you can really let your imagination run wild! Here are just some ideas to get you started:

• You could have your ceremony in a beautiful virtual reality setting, like a beach or a fairy tale forest.
• There can be interactive elements, such as games or quizzes for your guests.
• You could even get married in outer space (okay, no really, but with the right background, it can sure look like it!)

The beauty of virtual weddings is that the possibilities at your disposal are endless!

Benefits Of a Virtual Wedding

There are many benefits to having a virtual wedding. First and foremost, they’re incredibly convenient. You don’t have to worry about travel arrangements, accommodation, or any of the other logistics that come with a traditional wedding.

Virtual weddings are also great for couples who have family members who live far away. This way, everyone can attend the wedding without having to worry about the cost or time commitment of travel.

Finally, virtual weddings can be a lot more affordable than traditional weddings. This is because you don’t have to worry about things like venue rental fees, catering costs, or decorations. In fact, the only real expense you’ll have is the cost of hiring your officiant.

Disadvantages

While there are many advantages to virtual weddings, there are also some disadvantages that you should be aware of. First and foremost, virtual weddings can feel less personal than traditional weddings. This is because you won’t be able to interact with your guests in person.

Another potential disadvantage is that virtual weddings can be more difficult to plan than traditional weddings. This is because you’ll need to account for the time difference if you have guests who live in different time zones.

Finally, you should be aware that not all officiants will be willing to perform a virtual wedding ceremony. You may need to do some research to find an officiant who is comfortable with this type of arrangement.

What Do You Need For a Virtual Wedding?

Now that we’ve covered all the basics, let’s take a look at what you’ll need to plan a virtual wedding. Here’s a quick rundown of everything you’ll need a:

• Computer or laptop with a webcam
• Strong internet connection
• Virtual officiant
• Virtual wedding venue (optional)

Obviously, as with any wedding, you’ll also need the invited guests!

Micro Weddings With a Virtual Twist

When it comes to virtual weddings, another popular option is to have a “traditional” wedding in the micro sense—and then livestream it for the majority of your guests to watch. In this scenario, you’ll keep your in-person guest count limited to immediate family and your closest friends. Everyone else will be involved with your big day from the comfort of their own homes.

This option is great because it still allows you to have the personal, intimate wedding you want while also giving your guests the opportunity to “attend” and watch the ceremony. It’s the best of both worlds!

How to Plan a Virtual Wedding

If you’re interested in planning a virtual wedding, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. Here’s a quick rundown of what you need to do:

Step One

First, decide on the format of your wedding. Will it be a traditional ceremony that’s livestreamed, or will it be a completely virtual event?

Step Two

Next, you’ll need to find an officiant who is willing to perform a virtual ceremony. Not all officiants are comfortable with this, so you may need to do some research.

Step Three

Once you have your officiant lined up, it’s time to start planning the details of your ceremony. If you’re having a traditional wedding, you’ll need to find a venue and take care of all the logistics that come with it. If you’re having a completely virtual wedding, you’ll need to decide on the format of your ceremony and what type of “decorations” you’ll use.

Step Four

Finally, it’s time to send out invitations and start planning for your big day! Make sure to give your guests plenty of notice so they can clear their schedules and be there to watch your ceremony.

Step Five

As is the case with all weddings, after your big day, you’ll still need to thank everyone for attending. You can do this by sending out thank you cards, or even by setting up a virtual wedding website where guests can leave their congrats and well-wishes. If you want to stick with the digital theme that naturally comes with a virtual wedding, your thank-you cards can be emailed out digitally as well.

Everything You Need To Know About Virtual Weddings: FAQs

Now that you know all the ins and outs of virtual weddings, let’s take a look at some frequently asked questions…

How Much Should Guests Give At a Virtual Wedding?

This is a tough question to answer because it really depends on the couple’s financial situation. If the couple is paying for their own wedding, then guests should give what they would normally give at a traditional wedding.

However, if the couple is having a virtual wedding to save money, then guests can give whatever they feel comfortable giving. If the guests can’t afford to give money, then they can simply give their time by helping the couple with wedding-related tasks or by offering to be a virtual wedding day helper.

Is It Rude To Not Give A Gift At a Virtual Wedding?

No, it’s not rude to not give a gift at a virtual wedding. In fact, many couples who have virtual weddings don’t expect gifts because they understand that not everyone is in a financial position to give.

Of course, if you’re planning a virtual wedding and have guests that do want to give a gift, that’s totally fine! Just go into the process knowing that it’s not required—and probably shouldn’t be expected.

How Do You Pick a Location For a Virtual Wedding?

The great thing about virtual weddings is that they can take place anywhere in the world! All you need is a good internet connection and you’re good to go.

So, when it comes to picking a location for your virtual wedding, it really depends on what type of atmosphere you want to create. Do you want a beachy vibe? Then host your wedding from a tropical destination.

Or, if you want something more laid-back, then you can host it from your own backyard. The possibilities are endless!

How Do You Make a Virtual Wedding Fun?

There are a few things you can do to make a virtual wedding fun. First, try to personalize the experience as much as possible. This means sending out personalized invitations, decorating your “ceremony space” in a way that reflects your personality and style, and even incorporating fun elements into your ceremony itself (like having a friend or family member sing a special song).

Another great way to make a virtual wedding fun is to get everyone involved by asking them to participate in games or activities during the reception. This can be anything from playing trivia to dancing along with you as you have your first dance. The sky’s the limit—and your guests will appreciate being included in the fun!

What Are The BEST Platforms To Host Virtual Weddings On?

There are a few different platforms you can use to host virtual weddings. The most popular ones are Zoom, Skype, and Google Hangouts. All three of these platforms are free to use, which is great if you’re on a budget.

If you want to go the paid route, there are also some great options out there. One of the best is called EventLive. With EventLive, you can create a beautiful virtual wedding website, send out digital invitations, and even stream your ceremony and reception live. They offer an All-Day Package priced at $50.00 USD, which is a great option if you’re planning a large virtual wedding.

No matter what platform you choose, make sure to test it out beforehand so you can iron out any technical issues before your big day. Nothing would be worse than dealing with technical difficulties on your wedding day!

How Much Does a Virtual Wedding Cost?

Unfortunately, there’s no singular answer to this question. This is because the cost of a virtual wedding can vary greatly, depending on a number of factors. If you’re planning a small, intimate affair, you can probably get away with spending very little.

However, if you’re planning a larger event with multiple cameras, live streaming capabilities, and so forth, then the cost will be higher. Fortunately, there are a number of affordable options out there, so you should be able to find something that fits your budget.

That said, it’d be safe to estimate that the average virtual wedding (done entirely online) would cost between $500 and $2,000. Of course, this number could be higher or lower depending on your specific situation.

And in the case of a hybrid wedding (where it’s a micro wedding being livestreamed), the cost noted above would be in addition to the cost of putting together the small, intimate wedding itself.

How Do You Invite Guests To a Virtual Wedding?

When it comes to inviting guests to a virtual wedding, you have a few options. You can send out traditional invitations (either physical or digital), post about your event on social media, or even create a website dedicated to your wedding.

If you go the traditional route, make sure to include all of the relevant information that your guests will need, such as the date, time, and location of the event (which in this case would be a link to the platform you’re using).

And if you decide to create a website, be sure to include all of the same information, plus any other details that you think your guests might find helpful. For example, you could include a schedule of events, a list of who’s who in the wedding party, and so on.

No matter how you choose to invite your guests, make sure to do it in a way that is both efficient and stylish. After all, first impressions are everything—even when it comes to virtual weddings!

Should Guests Dress Up For a Virtual Wedding?

This is a tough question, as there is no right or wrong answer. It really depends on the couple getting married and the overall tone of their wedding.

If you’re planning a more casual affair, then it’s probably not necessary for your guests to dress up. However, if you’re going for a more formal vibe, then it might be a good idea to ask your guests to dress in their “Sunday best”.

At the end of the day, it’s up to you and your spouse-to-be to decide what you want your guests to wear. Just make sure that whatever you choose is communicated clearly so there are no surprises on your big day!

What Equipment Do You Need For a Virtual Wedding?

Again, this depends on the size and scale of your virtual wedding. If you’re planning a small, intimate affair, then all you really need is a good internet connection and a webcam.

However, if you’re planning something larger, then you might need additional equipment, such as multiple cameras, live streaming capabilities, and so forth.

The good news is that there are a number of affordable options out there, so you should be able to find something that fits your needs and budget. Just make sure to do your research beforehand so you know what you’re getting into!

How Do You Decorate For a Virtual Wedding?

This is another tough question, as the answer will vary depending on the couple’s personal preference. If you’re going for a more casual vibe, then you might not need to do much in terms of decoration. A simple backdrop will suffice.

However, if you’re going for a more formal affair, then you’ll need to put a bit more effort into it. In this case, you’ll want to create a space that is both stylish and functional. This means finding a nice backdrop, setting up lighting, and so forth.

Again, though, it’s up to you and your spouse-to-be to decide what you want your virtual wedding space to look like.

Will You Need Vendors and/or Supplier For a Virtual Wedding?

This will depend on the size and scale of your virtual wedding. If you’re planning a small, intimate affair, then you probably won’t need to hire any additional vendors or suppliers.

However, if you’re planning something larger, then you might need to consider hiring a live streamer, a photographer/videographer, and/or a wedding planner.

Moreover, if you intend on having a hybrid wedding, then you’ll need to factor in the cost of renting a venue, hiring a catering company, and so forth.

The good news is that there are a number of affordable options out there, so you should be able to find something that fits your needs and budget. Just make sure to do your research beforehand so you know what you’re getting into!

PRO TIP: Here are 7 secrets for finding the PERFECT vendors for your special celebration!

Should You Hire a Professional Wedding Planner?

After absorbing all of this information, you might now be wondering, “Do I need to hire a professional wedding planner?”

The answer is: it depends. If you’re planning a small, intimate affair, then you probably don’t need to hire a professional.

However, if you’re planning something larger or more complex, then it might be a good idea to consider hiring someone who can help you with the logistics and coordination.

Moreover, if you’re planning a hybrid wedding, then we definitely recommend hiring a professional who can help you with both the virtual and in-person aspects of your big day. After all, professional wedding planners are experts at juggling all of the moving parts that come with weddings. So, they’ll be more than equipped to handle anything that comes up!

The bottom line is that it’s up to you and your spouse-to-be to decide whether or not hiring a professional wedding planner is right for you.

That said, of course, if you do choose to hire one, you definitely won’t regret it. After all, there are countless reasons why the help of a trained, qualified wedding planner is invaluable!

Want To Become a Virtual Wedding Planner?

If you’re reading this, then chances are you’re interested in becoming a virtual wedding planner—or at the very least, it’s a thought that’s crossed your mind at least once.

The good news is that it’s easier than ever to get started in this field! Weddings, after all, have always been in extremely high demand. What’s more, there’s no sign of that trend slowing down. In fact, according to PR Newswire, the wedding market is expected to reach a whopping global estimated value of $414.2 billion by the year 2030!

Steps To Take

Firstly, we recommend laying your base and getting a solid foundation in the industry first. This means taking some sort of reputable course, completing some type of training, and getting yourself certified in wedding planning.

QC Event School‘s self-paced, online Event & Wedding Planning Course is a terrific option for this! In as little as 12 short weeks, you can become a globally-certified International Event and Wedding Planning Professional™ (IEWP®). Plus, you’ll gain the know-how needed to launch your very own business!

If event planning isn’t of interest to you, and you’d prefer to stick strictly to wedding planning, then QC’s online Wedding Planning Course might be more up your alley. Similarly, you can become a globally-certified International Wedding Planning Professional™ (IWPP®).

From there, you can then add to your training and credentials by learning how to transition all of your skills and wedding planning services to the digital world. QC Event School also offers a 1-unit Virtual Events Training mini course, specifically geared towards this goal! Basically, in less than a month, you’ll be able to take all of those qualifications you gained in your certification program, and learn exactly how to offer them in a virtual format.

From there, it’s simply a matter of getting yourself out there in the real world, marketing your business, booking clients, and planning beautiful virtual weddings!

Wrapping It Up

We hope this article has given you a crash course in everything virtual weddings! By now, you should have a good understanding of what they are, how to plan one, and what’s involved.

Planning a virtual wedding is definitely no easy feat—but it’s more than doable with the right knowledge, tools, and team by your side.

So, if you’re planning a virtual wedding (or even a hybrid one), then make sure to keep all of the tips and advice we went over in this article in mind! And, of course, if you need any help along the way, don’t hesitate to reach out to a professional virtual wedding planner for assistance.

Got any comments or questions for us? Drop them down below… We always love hearing what you have to say!

Thanks for reading—and happy (virtual) planning! 🙂

Enroll with QC Event School today and become a master of wedding planning in as little as 3 months!

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