Wedding Planning Tips, Your Event Career
How to Live Stream Your Client’s Wedding Online
As part of your wedding planner courses, you’ll learn the fundamentals needed to organize and execute the wedding of your client’s dreams! But what if she has important guests that can’t make it to her big day?
Going one step further: what if she wants to elope in the privacy of her own home, but would still like all her friends and family to be a part of her special occasion?
The answer is to live stream the wedding online! While the majority of wedding planner courses don’t teach you this service, don’t worry. We’ve got you covered! With the following steps, you’ll learn how to live stream your client’s wedding in ANY situation!
What is live streaming?
Live streaming is a method of using technology to broadcast an event on the internet in real time. Most live streaming is done with just 3 simple things:
- An internet-enabled device (e.g. a smart phone, tablet, laptop, etc.)
- Someone to shoot the video (which can be done either professionally or not)
- A platform to host the stream (typically either a website or an app)
Examples where live streaming is beneficial
1 – Your client is having a destination wedding.
- Perhaps some of her beloved friends and family members are unable to attend, but don’t want to miss out.
2 – Your client is having a local wedding, but similarly, has guests who can’t make it.
3 – Your client wants a lower-key, more intimate ceremony.
- She doesn’t necessarily want all the glitz, glam, or large budget associated with an elaborate wedding.
- She’d still like for her loved ones to be a part of the experience, though!
- In such a case, the couple can hold a simple, private elopement ceremony. Then they can live stream it. That way, everyone can watch it online.
4 – Particular circumstances prevent an in-person wedding altogether, such as the current COVID-19 pandemic.
- Because social distancing is in effect, many couples now need to unfortunately postpone their nuptials for the time being.
- But there are still plenty of people who wish to proceed – just in a smaller, safer manner.
- One option your client may not even know she has is to get married from the comfort (and safety) of her own home. Technically speaking, with how far technology has come, she and her partner wouldn’t need anyone else to physically be there.
- The person performing the ceremony can easily be present via a video conference call.
- The entire wedding can be streamed live to their guests.
- It’s a terrific alternative during a difficult time! Sure, for some clients, it may not be the wedding they originally envisioned… But it’s DEFINITELY unique, and will make for a quite the story to tell!
Basic steps for live streaming a wedding online:
Step 1 – Conduct an initial consultation with your client
As a wedding planner, you know how necessary the consultation process is! It can be done either in-person or virtually (through online platforms such as Skype, Google Hangouts, etc.). The goal to the initial consultation is two-fold:
- It allows the client to get to know you, your business, and your services. Remember: she’s going into this to try and see if you’re the best wedding planner to make her vision come alive.
- It allows you to get to know the client, and the type of wedding she has in mind.
As the professional, you’ll need to ask questions to help you gather as much information as possible about the event. From the budget, to the location, to the guest list, and theme of the wedding. You want to be able to walk away from the consultation with a clear understanding of what your client is envisioning. This way, you’ll know how to make it happen.
This will also be the time when you will determine if your client wants to live stream the wedding, and how much work will be involved.
Here’s a good list of must-have questions to ask during every client consultation!
Step 2 – Determine who will shoot the video
Once you’ve conducted the consultation, you can begin planning. Suffice it to say, in order to live stream a wedding, someone has to be there to physically take the video. So that’s a good place to start.
If your client is in quarantine, it isn’t advisable for her to hire a professional for this job. But she still has options! If she and her partner happen to be in isolation with other people (who live in their immediate environment, of course), they could be a possibility.
If the couple lives alone, they can simply use a phone on a tripod, or a mounted webcam.
If your client is having a more traditional ceremony where others are physically present, they can designate someone they know to film the live stream, such as:
- A member of the wedding party
- A friend
- A family member
Alternately, if your client wants high-quality footage, she can hire a professional.
If there’s a photographer or videographer who’s been hired for the wedding, go to them first. They may already offer this type of service. Maybe they can add it to what’s already being offered for your client. If they don’t, they may have recommendations for reputable companies you can look into.
Hiring a Professional Live Stream Service
Should you and your client wish to hire a live streaming vendor, make sure to do the proper research! There are plenty of companies that offer a variety of service options, depending on what your client’s looking for. This can range anywhere from:
- DIY services
- Providing a professional videographer
- Offering an entire production crew to organize the streaming process
- And more!
When doing your research, don’t forget to be as thorough as possible! Read reviews. Look over business websites. Watch videos that demonstrate the quality of work that vendor will produce.
As wedding planner courses teach you: with any vendor or supplier, you want to make sure they’re the real deal. You don’t want to risk hiring the wrong person. It could potentially ruin your client’s special day!
Step 3 – Ensure the location has a strong internet connection
This step is relatively quick, but extremely critical. Whether your client is getting married at home or at a venue, the internet connection is the make-it-or-break-it factor to any live streaming event. The connection can’t lousy, too slow, or unreliable. If so, it’s not going to be a very good experience for all those watching.
It also defeats the purpose of live streaming the wedding in the first place. Make sure that wherever the wedding is being held, the internet connection there is high-speed! This will promise the best possible outcome.
Pro tip: A lightening-fast internet connection won’t do much if the device you’re using is sub par. Make sure the webcam/phone you’re using can record high-quality video! Also, make sure the phone/computer doesn’t have any performance issues. You don’t want your computer to freeze while live-streaming the I Do’s!
Step 4 – Choose a live streaming platform
As with any virtual event, there needs to be a platform to host it. This doesn’t necessarily need to be overly pricey, though! It can be as simple as live streaming directly onto Facebook, if that’s what your client wants.
For example: if she’s choosing to get married during a pandemic, and wants to live stream from the privacy of her own home, this is definitely an easy option to get the job done! Here’s a list of 5 free platforms that she can check out.
For clients wanting a more refined platform to live stream their wedding, we highly suggest this article. It suggests a few, high-quality platforms that offer professional services!
Like with Step 2, make sure to do lots research on your platform. That way, there are no surprises!
Step 5 – Make sure everyone’s on board
This step is mainly important in terms of the other vendors/suppliers. Discuss the live streaming process with them before the big day. Make sure that they’re all okay with it, too.
For instance, if there’s a live musician performing at the wedding, you want to make sure they’ve given consent to be filmed.
You’ll find that in almost every case, all other vendors/suppliers will be completely okay with it. But it’s always best to be safe and make sure!
Now that you have the ground work laid out for you, you can confidently go forth and help clients live stream their weddings! That being said, if you want to be the BEST wedding planner you can possibly be, why not get formal training with accredited wedding planner courses?
Not only will a professional certification do wonders for your resume – it’ll strengthen your skill set, taking it to the next level!
So, what are you waiting for? Maximize your time at home by furthering your career!
