Best Streaming Software When Exchanging Nuptials

Did you know there could be 2.47 million weddings this year with an average spend of $24,300 per event? 

During the earlier stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a drop off in the number of marriages. And for good reason. The fast spread of the coronavirus, limitations in group sizes, and mandatory stay-at-home rules meant people weren’t free to be out and about…even for weddings. 

COVID-19 isn’t over, but things have opened up significantly. And people are taking advantage of this. Is a wedding on your calendar? What are your options if you’re planning to tie the knot this year and want to stream the event? 

Here’s a look at some steaming options if you want to give family and friends the option of observing your nuptials via streaming if they can’t be there in the flesh.

One note of caution is to get familiar with whichever live streaming solution you use so that you know exactly what to do on your wedding day. Assigning a tech-savvy friend the job and ensuring that you conduct one or more trial runs ahead of time will ensure things flow smoothly on the big day.

1. Zoom

A popular wedding streaming platform is Zoom. Who isn’t familiar with Zoom after long stretches of work-from-home orders requiring many virtual video conference calls? Using Zoom, you can have as many as 1,000 devices on a single call. You can also add breakout rooms, private chats, and other options. So, Zoom is an excellent option for people who want to be part of your big day but can’t–for whatever reason–be there in person. 

Ensure you sign up for a paid account since the free option only permits 40-minute streaming. That’s likely too short for your wedding ceremony. Not familar with setting up events on Zoom? Here’s how to go about it:

1. Set up a Zoom account. 
2. Create a wedding event on the platform in the “Schedule Meeting” section. 
3. Select settings. It’s a good idea to assign someone to handling things during the event. That person can–as appropriate–auto-mute guests, address questions presented via chat, and disable file sharing. 
4. Go live and archive the event if you want the option of uploading it to another social network.
5. YouTube

Another great option is YouTube. You’re probably used to watching music videos, sitcoms, documentaries, and other content on the popular online video sharing and social media platform. Why not stream your wedding via YouTube? It’s easier than you think. Here’s how to go about it:

1. Enable live streaming on your mobile device. You need north of 1,000 subscribers to live stream on mobile. If you don’t have that amount, you can still stream on your desktop. 
2. Select how you want to stream whether via mobile, encoder, or webcam. 
3. Select the time and a moderator. Ensure the moderator you choose knows exactly what to do so that you don’t have to worry about those details during your big day.
4. Facebook

With around 2.85 billion monthly active users in 2021, Facebook is the biggest social media site on the planet. The chances are good that the people on your virtual invite list are already on Facebook. So, they may feel comfortable using this platform to tune in live for your wedding. Follow these steps to stream your ceremony via Facebook:

1. Click on the camera icon situated on left side of the search bar if you’re streaming from a mobile device or select “Go Live” in the status update area if you’re streaming with a laptop. 
2. Allow Facebook to access your webcam or external camera as well as your microphone. 
3. Select settings for privacy and posting. 
4. Select whether you wish to go live right away or set the event for a later time. 
5. Select “Start Live Video” or “Schedule Live Video” button to begin the stream. 
6. Select “Finish” to conclude broadcast.

Bonus:

While the aforementioned players are popular options, it pays to consider some lesser known streaming apps. Options include, but are not limited to, EventLive and Lovecast. So, there are some credible options if you want to stream your wedding and need to see what’s out there.

If you’re planning to tie the knot this year, you’ll want to book a nice venue for the ceremony, book the reception, and hire a chauffeur service to make the special occasion all the more special. Streaming the event is also a great idea since not everyone will be able to make it to the venue in person on your big day. Being able to watch live means that more of your family and friends will be able to be their virtually. 

Choosing the right streaming app–or more than one if you feel like it–will make this possible. Just ensure that you, or whoever you assign the responsibility, knows exactly how to use the streaming solution so there are no major problems on your wedding day.