How Livestreaming Can Make Any Ceremony a Success in 2020 (And Beyond!)

If you have – or had – an event planned for 2020, you’re likely scrambling to figure out how you’re going to host it now. Is it even worth it? While many brides and universities are postponing their ceremonies until later in the year, or even until 2021, there are just as many who are making plans to take their event in a new direction. How?

By live streaming it.

Live streaming events isn’t something new the pandemic has brought about – it’s actually already an ingrained part of many live events. Graduations often have limited tickets available, and so livestream the ceremony so other family and friends can watch their loved one walk.

Similarly, in-person and online-only conferences have live streamed their talks for a lower ticket price, which allows them to not only reach more people, but increase their revenue without the additional stress and difficulty of having people attend in person. In short, live streaming is here to stay, and it’s more important than ever. But what are the benefits of taking your event – even a wedding ceremony – online?

6 Benefits of Livestreaming Your Ceremony

1.    You aren’t constrained by social distancing guidelines

This is the most obvious one at the time of writing (May 2020), but will still be beneficial in the years and even decades to come. The effects of the pandemic will be felt for years, and what we once deemed “conference flu” – a sickness we almost expected to get after attending a conference or convention – will feel like a much bigger risk. Live streaming means you can hold your event now, or in the coming weeks or months, without worrying about social distancing.

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2.    Your ceremonies can be even more personal

While many secondary and high school graduates are disappointed that they’ll miss the chance to attend their final year prom, it has brought about a new sense of creativity and resourcefulness that can only be borne out of lack of choice. For example, graduates-to-be are hosting their own private graduation ceremonies at home, complete with homemade caps and gowns.

Teens who have had to face their proms being cancelled have taken to recreating famous Glambot videos from the Grammys as a way of celebrating regardless of the current situation. Scenes like these have been reported all over the world, and it means groups of friends can hold events that is uniquely personal to their situation.

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3.    An endless guestlist

Any bride-to-be or engaged couple knows the pain of trying to decide who to put on the guestlist for the ceremony and the reception. The great think about livestreaming your minimal ceremony is you don’t have to be selective about who is on each guestlist.

This, of course, goes for all other ceremonies, too. For example, if someone in your life sadly passes away in this difficult time, the idea of not sharing their funeral or memorial with those who loved them can be very painful. Livestreaming the ceremony or holding a memorial in their honour in a livestream allows everyone to gain closure and come together, despite the distance.

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4.    It’s easy

The technology side of livestreaming shouldn’t hold anyone back – it’s easier than ever to set up a private or public livestream to share a special ceremony. For example, we set up private wedding websites for our clients’ weddings so that loved ones all across the world can tune-in at a click of a button.

 

5.    It’s automatically recorded

Another great thing about live streaming your ceremony is that it will be automatically recorded so you can watch it later – and you’re in control, too, so you can do what you like with the footage. You don’t have to pay for a digital download or for professional photos, unless you want to.

 

6.    It’s affordable

The cost of live streaming varies depending on the platform you use, the equipment you want, and how many people will attend your event. The more professional and high-spec the set-up, the more costly it will be, but even if you go all-out, it will be substantially cheaper than a full wedding! Basic livestreaming for a short time to a handful of people is free, so you can really tailor things to your budget and needs.

When it comes to post-pandemic life, nobody knows when exactly we will all return to normal. At this time, we can’t be sure if 2021 will bring back the weddings and ceremonies we enjoyed in 2019 – so it’s a good idea to include live streaming as part of your ceremony, even if it’s only a contingency plan.

Live streaming your ceremonies and events really is the best way to bring everyone together virtually and continue to share life’s special moments, and we’re here to help do just that. We’re based in Berkshire and specialise in top-quality equipment hire and technical support for live streaming events, from corporate meetings and conferences, to weddings, funerals, and other ceremonies.

If you’re ready to take your event or ceremony online, but aren’t sure where to start, we’re here to help. We can take control of all the tech so you can focus on what’s important to you. All footage is recorded, professionally edited, and uploaded to the cloud for you, so you can remember the special event or share it with those who couldn’t attend.