The coronavirus pandemic had delayed and postponed a lot of things this year, especially the wedding plan. There are a lot of couples who wish to get married this year but have to cancel for safety purposes. But, you don’t have to be totally sad about it because you can still have a beautiful and large wedding in the future and for the time being, you can have it virtually first. Different states have announced an executive order allowing couples to be legally married via video conferencing.

It is definitely a big sigh of relief for those who are planning to get married in 2020 as well as their planners and vendors. Virtual weddings might be a new way of getting married but it is not that bad at all especially if you want your loved ones to witness this magical moment with you without gathering them physically. It might not be as big as a normal wedding but there are still a lot of things that you need to prepare and consider.

#1 Choose a Virtual Platform to Use

Of course, the very first thing that you should do is find a platform that you will be using. This is very important because you need to make sure that everyone will be accommodated. Some platforms that have limits on the number of participants who can join one meeting session so you need to make sure that the platform you are using can fit the total number of your guests. 

Platforms like Zoom is the most popularly used by those having virtual weddings because it is easy to navigate and it allows a large number of attendees in one meeting setup. You can also opt for Facebook Live, Instagram Live, or Google Hangouts for other options. 

#2 Ask Your Local Clerk’s Office 

Even with normal wedding ceremonies, there are a lot of permits and documents that you need to prepare even more for a virtual wedding. Each state follows different marriage laws so it is important to ask your local clerk’s office to make sure that you have obtained the needed documents and license properly. Remember that you cannot ger married without the license so before you proceed to the fun part, make sure to have your license ready.

#3 Invite Your Guests

You have made an initial guest list and they might be wondering if your wedding is still going to happen so this is the time to let them know that yes, you are definitely getting married! The easiest way to invite them is to send them an email with the link and ID to your Zoom party. Make sure to send it only to those you want to attend your wedding and of course, do not forget to include other important details like the exact time the ceremony will start.

#4 Design Your Background

There is nothing to worry about if you have already paid and set an arrangement with a florist because you can call them over and have them put life to your home. Reach out to them and ask how flexible they can be in arranging a set for your virtual wedding. Make sure that you are not violating any terms stipulated by your respective local state office. 

As much as possible, arrange a contact-less pick up of flower arrangements or set up a Zoom tutorial to help you create your bouquet. That way you can avoid any physical contact and practice safety.

#5 Arrange the Ceremony

Doing a virtual wedding still needs a program of the ceremony to make sure that everything is going smoothly. Aside from sending an invitation to your guests, you should also make sure that you send an invite to your officiant and your witnesses. 

Ask a friend to host your ceremony and make sure that he or she coordinates with the officiant in muting and unmuting the guests as needed. Since it is a virtual ceremony, go for a shorter program since guests will likely have a shorter attention span throughout the event. You may skip some unnecessary parts and only focus on those that are necessary.

Also Read: 8 Things to Expect on Weddings With Social Distancing

#6 Capture This Memorable Event

Even though you have limited beautiful spots to pose for pictures, do not forget to capture every moment of this once-in-a-lifetime event. If your state would allow and your photographer is comfortable, have them go to your house and take photos from a safe distance. However, if your state does not allow any physical presence aside from the couples, you can record the whole event through screen recording in Zoom. You can also opt using a tripod and set up a camera near you to capture every moment. 

#7 Don’t Forget The Cake!

At normal weddings, this is one of the most awaited parts during the ceremony. So even if you are having a virtual wedding, you should not miss this as well. You can order a simple cake for delivery or try your luck on baking. What is important is that you were able to have a celebration of your oneness with the love of your life and the cake slicing can be a simple celebratory symbol to do that. Plus, your guests would surely love to see that as well.

There are a lot of uncertainties this year due to COVID-19 but that should not stop you from pushing your dream wedding. A lot of options are available in this digital era and all you have to do is ask for help from experts in the field.

You can still enjoy an intimate celebration with your loved ones, family, and friends while practicing safety. 

Do not get discouraged as you can have a big wedding party coming up in the near future when everything is back to normal. As for now, having a simple ceremony is the top priority to make your marriage legal and documented.