Virtual Connectivity for Weddings and Events

By now you are aware of our country’s need for social distancing. Every person’s daily life has been affected by the spread of the novel coronavirus. Weddings and events have been postponed and there is a higher level of uncertainty in our community. We’ve been busy at Naturally Yours Events (while working from home) navigating this situation with our clients. We aren’t scientists, doctors or fortune tellers but we continue to stick to our core values and mission of injecting personality and poise into celebrations that are well orchestrated, meaningful, and natural.

All that being said, we want to spread a little positivity with you, as much as we are able to. After a few days of being cooped up in our houses, we are looking for ways to connect with our loved ones and celebrate joys in our lives. So we are laying out our suggestions for virtual celebrations and gatherings so you can stay safe and remain sane!

Baby and Bridal Showers

With most all registries, you have the option to ship gifts directly to the recipient’s home. The mother- or bride- to-be can open all their gifts via webcam for all guests to witness while still being able to thank them in real time.

Shower games are easily transferable to a virtual setting! Send out PDF versions of baby shower and bridal shower games (like Gift Bingo!) for guests to play along with. Or have everyone get creative with their hands- send guests kits for decorating onesies or cupcake recipes so your guests can virtually bake together and come up with the best wedding cake flavors!

Use the time talking together to share parenting and marriage advice or just have a therapy session with all your friends.

Weddings

We have found that couples who have needed to postpone are deciding to still have a small ceremony with their immediate families (following the current ten person gathering recommendation) so they are able to officially be married on their originally chosen date. However, this leaves them with the feeling they can’t have their other guests celebrate with them. We think this can be an opportunity for a truly special and unique virtual celebration.

First, set up a webcam to broadcast your vows for your guests. You can do this through companies like Skype for up to 50 people, Zoom for up to 100 with the free version, Google Hangouts Meet for 100 participants and $6 fee per user, and Go To Meeting for up to 150 or 250 participants for a monthly fee per organizer or you can do a free trial.

Additionally, there are companies where wedding video broadcasting is their specialty if you wanted to upgrade from your webcam experience. Delack Media Group, My Streaming Wedding, and American Broadcaster are set up to film your special day and webcast it to every friend and family who are unable to be there in person with you.

You can still have everyone raise a glass to toast you as your family and wedding party give the speeches they planned. Then to make it a true party atmosphere, create a playlist for everyone to listen to! JQBX in association with Spotify lets you play and listen to music in sync with all your guests. We are imagining some amazing living room dance moves!

For meal time, encourage guests to test different hors d’oeuvres recipes which will also give them a fun activity to keep their minds occupied!

Instead of giving out the matches or mints you planned on for wedding favors, donate to your community’s small businesses in need and encourage your guests to do the same to spread the love- not germs.

Friend Dates

Can’t visit with your wedding party or friend group because you’re social distancing? Well, we’re foreseeing an epic virtual party in your future. Lounge on your couch and watch movies together at the same time with Netflix Party.

Host your monthly book and wine club via webcam- you know you have more time now to finish that book you’ve been putting off. Running low on your wine supply? Get it delivered with Drizly. Or support local restaurants and bars who are now able to offer unopened bottles and cans of alcohol for purchase with food orders for delivery and curb side pick up.

Get your competitive spirit on and plan a game night with your friends. You can play virtual party games with the Jackbox Party Pack series, which allows you and your friends to connect online and play against each other (only one person actually needs to own the game). Cooperative games like Jenga, cards and other board games could still be played if you move pieces for each other at the same time- no cheating! Our eco-friendly friends at Tesa Collective have great options for new, unique games that were all created with a socially aware concept and mission to play their way to a better world.

We are ALL in this together. Be there for each other (at a 6-foot or screen distance), call someone to check in on their mind and body well-being, listen to facts and guidelines, and please wash your hands.