One of the toughest times to plan a wedding is during a pandemic. This is evident in how much things have stalled due to the present COVID-19 pandemic. The lockdown that has been imposed has made a lot of wedding vendors go out of business as organizing a physical gathering is impossible because of the government sanctions that it could attract.

The good news is that while physical gatherings are restricted during a pandemic, online gatherings are not. So, if you just got yourself a legit mail order bride and are worried about how to cement your union, then don’t fret. This article will give you some ideas about how to successfully host an online wedding during a pandemic.

1. Decide On The Platform and Technology To Use

If you are familiar with online dating and how to find a mail order bride, using social platforms to boost your love life would come easily to you. And when planning your online wedding, the platform you choose to host your event on is just as important. Currently, there are many online platforms that you can use, such as Facebook, Zoom, Instagram, etc. On these platforms, the technologies currently available that you can take advantage of are their live streaming technology and video conferencing.

Of these technologies, you and your partner will have to decide which is best suited for the kind of wedding you plan on having. Both have their pros and cons and we will briefly analyze them for you to make your decision-making easier.

Live Streaming

On streaming-enabled platforms like Facebook and Instagram, guests can only chat with each other while watching the proceedings from the camera lens covering the wedding. This is good because everyone in attendance can focus on exactly what you want them to see with minimal side distractions. However, the downside is that it may end up looking like a one-man thing and your guest may get bored fairly quickly.

Video Conferencing

On video conferencing platforms like Zoom and Skype, guests can see and talk to each other. This is good because guests can get involved with the wedding and it feels like a physical gathering. It can also get out of hand if not handled properly because some guests might get noisy during the ceremony. However, there is still the option to mute some guests if need be, although this should only be used in extreme cases.

At the end of the day, when choosing the online platform to host your wedding on, it all depends on what you and your partner are comfortable with.

2. Be Creative With Your Face Masks

As is necessary during any pandemic, there should be measures put in place to limit human contact. Using face masks is one widely-approved way to stay safe, and while they still attract mixed reactions from people, the fact remains that they are must-haves during a pandemic. So, if you are going to host a wedding in a pandemic, you may as well get creative with your use of face masks.

Wear face masks at your wedding but make them fashionable. You can try matching the design on the bride’s face mask with her wedding dress. Your online audience will notice the effort and appreciate it. Besides, playing around with your face masks is a way to further showcase your unique fashion taste on your special day.

3. Make The Best Out Of Your Location

Since it’s an online wedding, securing a location shouldn’t be much of a hassle. Our suggestion is for you to use a part of your house, e.g, the backyard, the living room, or even the garage. All you have to do is decorate the place with potted plants, twinkle lights, rugs, and draperies. The good news is that you don’t have to decorate the entire house – just the part of the house visible during the wedding proceedings. You should also have a skilled technician test the network connectivity in the area and confirm the part of the house with the strongest internet connectivity for streaming your wedding.

4. Engage Your Guests

It is going to be a boring wedding if all your guests are going to be doing is watching you on their phone or computer screens. We recommend planning for a way to get your audience engaged in the proceedings. You can decide to play a game with them at some point in the wedding event or even do a giveaway. Remember that a wedding is usually a one-time thing so you have to create as many memories as possible for yourself and all those in attendance. 

5. Consider Delivering Food Packs To Your Neighbors and Guests

Some vendors can prepare food and gifts and deliver them to the doorsteps of your guests. The fact that it’s an online wedding does not mean that your guests shouldn’t get refreshments. The refreshments can be served before, during, or after the wedding. All you need to do is to confirm that your guests are comfortable with the arrangement you plan to make, or at least create options for people to choose if they want food sent over to their houses.

6. Include Some Elements of Entertainment

Even though it is your big day, your guests are also there to be entertained. Since it’s an online wedding, it is even more necessary that entertainment be meticulously planned to avoid having a forgettable event. A great way to entertain your online guests is by booking a local band to come to your event and perform or, if you have the money, book a popular artist or comedian to keep your guests excited.

You can also pre-record speeches from the best man and chief bridesmaid to give it that extra element of a good old fashioned wedding. No matter the way you choose to entertain your guests, timing is key. You wouldn’t want to keep them waiting for too long before rolling out your fun activities towards the end of the event. 

Conclusion

As is common with every pandemic, society has had to adapt to changes at every turn. A lot of these changes have been in the form of virtual enhancements to everyday activities. If we have successfully adopted remote jobs and platforms that help us find brides, then hosting weddings online should be easy to adapt to. To get the best experience at your online wedding, we recommend you take any of the ideas outlined in this article, put your spin on things and create a memorable occasion for yourself and your loved ones.