Streaming Your Ceremony & Reception
Nowadays, people anywhere in the world can attend your wedding—sort of. Live wedding feeds are the latest trend to hit the ceremony circuit, and they’re getting more popular all the time. The benefits of live feeds are enormous: if your relatives in Europe can’t attend your wedding for whatever reason (cost, obligations, illness, etc.) they can watch it in the privacy of their own home. Live wedding feeds are an especially nice idea for aging friends and loved ones who would never be able see your ceremony otherwise.
There are several ways to go about streaming your wedding. Your videographer generally does not offer this feature as part of his package deal, although he might partner with a company that streams. You can also do a search for live feeds, and find a company that offers the service. Many of them contact videographers in your area and work together on the project.
You can also purchase equipment that connects to your computer to streaming servers, or rent an entire laptop streaming kit. Prices will vary, ranging anywhere from about $200 to $800. Live chat is generally available if problems arise, and companies offer viewing for a limited time period after the ceremony. Find out, too, if you can have a recorded copy of the event as a keepsake. There are also different ranges of how many people can watch—usually up to about 50, so ask ahead of time and get everything in writing.
Since live wedding feeds are still a novel concept, it’s recommended that you hire a pro for your ceremony, as opposed to trying to handle the streaming yourself. If the two of you are computer whizzes, or you have a close friend you’d like to do it, feel free to go DIY, but practice ahead of time to make sure all glitches have been taken care of. Make sure that someone is responsible for set-up and operation on the actual day of your ceremony.
When you consider the benefits of live feeds, it’s a wonderful addition to your wedding plans. If your affair is small and easily accessible to all who are invited, it’s probably not worth the extra cash. Go over your guest list, figure out your budget, and then feed the love!
Check Out Hiring Your Photographer
Check Out Hiring Your Videographer
Check Out Hiring Friends as Wedding Vendors