10 tips to Livestream your wedding

This article was written for Brickhouse KL’s blog. However, the blog is yet to be published so I’ve copied the article here for your reference. Please do not share this publicly or on your social media platforms.

2020 was a tough year for couples planning to get hitched and if you were one of them, it must have been frustrating with the multiple postponement due to the repeated lockdowns and contradicting SOPs. Let’s be honest, things don’t seem to be improving in 2021 but luckily for you, there’s still a chance to get hitched with your partner this year through Cloud Weddings. Here are 10 tips that the Vandure team has put together, for you to live stream your wedding!

Streaming your wedding can be a great way to have friends and family attend your big day, especially if they’re unable to travel, are not feeling well or live abroad. While live streaming a wedding ceremony might not be a common practice in Malaysia, it’s time you think it over again, so that you can get hitched without a glitch!

1. Camera quality matters

Is she crying or is that just the make up? Tip #1 – You definitely don’t want guests staring at a pixelated screen as they try to figure out if you’re crying or beaming. Using a high quality device to capture your wedding is of utmost importance. With the wide range of technology available to us today, you can choose to use your phone, laptop or camera to capture your wedding.

Regardless of which option you choose, make sure that your camera is able to capture high quality videos and can connect seamlessly to your streaming software.

2. Invest in a tripod

While we’re on the topic of using good quality video recording equipment, here’s a gentle reminder that your wedding is not the time to balance your phone against a mug while it’s propped up by books. The last thing you want is for your video recording device to topple over during your wedding.

If you’ve not done so yet, it’s time to invest in a sturdy tripod to cut out the shakiness from your video recording and help you capture the best angles. You can easily purchase one off the internet from trustable sites such as Shopee or Lazada.

3. Sound check: Can you hear me?

Using the right sound equipment can do wonders for your livestream. You want to have clear and consistent sound quality when streaming your wedding, and you definitely want to make sure that your audio system connects seamlessly to your live streaming software.

If you’re using your phone to capture video, then it makes sense to use it for audio too. However, when speaking, make sure to face the phone’s mic for maximum clarity. The same goes for a laptop.

You can also opt to use a mic, clip-ons are a safe bet, connect it to an audio mixer (digital or analog) and then connect that to your computer to stream out. This last option is definitely a little more complicated but we think the improved sound quality is well worth the added effort.

4. Set up your background

Be it in front of the Eiffel Tower, Taj Mahal or even by the beach, now you have the chance to plan your dream destination wedding, well, almost dream destination wedding. If you’re organising a virtual-only wedding, it’s worth setting up a pretty backdrop that you’ll look back on with fond memories.

Find a spot in your home or venue with plenty of natural light to have your ceremony. Tidy and decorate it with fresh flowers or even potted plants from your home. You could also hang up fairy lights on the walls or rent an arch from a local vendor.

If you’re streaming your wedding from a live event (perhaps from an Express Wedding?), chances are that your venue or home will be decorated for the event.

5. Camera angles are so important

When attending a virtual wedding, your guests want to see your faces and expressions, as well as tears of joy from loved ones present at the wedding. This is where camera angles are super important.

To get the best view, it’s recommended to have at least two cameras at the event. At least one camera should be placed in front of the bride and groom during the ceremony to capture their reactions during the ceremony. You don’t want guests watching your backs when your faces are filled with emotions.

If there are multiple cameras used for the wedding, consider having someone manage the switching between cameras to ensure the best angles are streamed. Doing a rehearsal for this would make things easier so the switcher has a general idea when to switch between cameras and not accidentally focus on your backs when you’re talking.

6. Pick the right streaming platform

There are a tonne of options available to stream your wedding. You get to pick from Facebook Live, Instagram Live, Twitch, Google Hangouts, YouTube Live and Zoom, just to name a few.

When picking the best platform for your wedding, consider the features you would like to have. Here’s a brief list of things to consider when picking the right platform for your wedding:

• Do you want guest to join you via video? If yes, perhaps a video conferencing tool like Zoom or Google Hangouts fits the bill.

• Are you looking for something easy to use? Facebook, Instagram and YouTube offer great options.

• How long do you plan to stream your wedding? Free Zoom calls have a 40-minute limit while Instagram has a 4 hour time limit and Facebook’s time limit depends on the device you’re using to stream your wedding.

• Is privacy a concern? If yes, consider using a password protected platform like Zoom

Too much of a hassle? Well, have a look at Vandure’s Cloud Weddings! It’s specifically built for online weddings and lets you host your online wedding as though it was done in real life.

A platform like Cloud Wedding has unique login links and offers a built-in live chat, a virtual photo booth and space for you to upload unique content such as your Love Story as a couple, pre-recorded speeches, a Guestbook and more.

7. Check internet speed and stability

Before going live, test out the internet connection in your home or venue. If you’re not a techie like me, here’s a very very simplified summary of how internet speeds work and what you should be looking for.

In general, your internet connection includes upload and download speeds. Upload speeds affect how long it takes you to attach a document to an email, or uploading a file to Dropbox or Google Drive. Download speeds impact how long it takes a page to load in your browser or how long it takes for a video to load up before you can watch it on Netflix. Lastly, these upload and download speeds are measured in bits and we commonly refer to it as megabits per second or Mbps.

For live streaming your wedding, you want to focus on upload speeds. For most platforms, streaming at a resolution of 720p will require at least 5Mbps. The higher the resolution, the higher your required upload speed.

During your livestream, make sure to remove excess devices and close apps that aren’t in use to avoid cluttering up your network and adding unnecessary load to your network.

Find out how well your internet is doing with TM’s free speed test here. You can also refer to this article and this article for more detailed explanations to help you calculate the ideal internet speed for your livestream.

8. Send invites with clear instructions

Your wedding invitations should include clear instructions to log on and watch the wedding. If you’re using a platform like Zoom or Facebook that requires users to first install an app to their device, remember to highlight this to guests beforehand. If you’d like guests to join in via video, let them know about the dress code and how to turn on their cameras. If you’d like to offer guests the option to give you Angpows or Duit Hadiah Kahwin, share your preferred payment method and details so they can make the transfer.

For fully virtual weddings, your guests might have a few questions about your decision to go fully virtual. Feel free to add a simple FAQ to your wedding invitation too!

9. Get a friend or family member monitor the video and sound

Before your big day, make sure you schedule time for a full dress rehearsal to test out the tech, and run through the flow of the day. If you’ve got friends and family helping you out, have someone tune in remotely to watch the stream of the entire rehearsal. Have them make notes on the camera angles and sound quality so you can tweak it before the big day.

On the day of your wedding, designate a friend or family member to act as tech support for virtual guests who might need a little more help navigating the streaming platform.

10. Don’t forget about your virtual guests

During your wedding, remember to acknowledge guests who are tuning in from all over the world. Wave to the camera as you walk down the aisle, thank them in your speeches, and remind them of the different ways they can participate in your wedding online.

Want to live stream your wedding? Speak to our team to find out how we bring the best parts of weddings, online.

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