Photo courtesy of Zephyr Cove Resort/Lake Tahoe Cruises.
In our opinion, this digital age we’re living in is the very best one for being a wedding guest. With guests getting to Instagram artsy shots of the wedding cake, blasting their photo booth pics across social media or even Snapchatting a super fun Grease singalong during the dance portion of the reception, guests get to feel more included in your special day now more than ever.
The awesome news for you as one of the wedding’s intended is that it’s super easy and cheap to make your wedding digital and encourage your guests to have the best time possible in person, online, and after the fact. (Not to mention, who doesn’t like seeing the candid photos and videos that capture all the behind-the-scenes fun from their wedding?) Here’s how!
Get a hashtag
This step is about as easy-peasy as it gets. All you have to do is decide on the hashtag that’s going to be used for pics and other social media content from your wedding day (and engagement party, bridal shower and anything else you’re going to be sharing). A simple mashup of your names should give you good results, but make sure to check your hashtag ideas to make sure they haven’t been used before. If a hashtag using your first names, such as #jennaandryanwedding, is already taken, try going with your last names. Or feel free to get as wild as you want with your hashtag, incorporating the location or an inside joke. Or if the idea of coming up with something unique stresses you out, try this wedding hashtag generator.
Lake Tahoe Resort Hotel beach wedding.
Spread the hashtag
In order for your wedding hashtag to garner great results in lots of pictures and content, people have to know it exists. You could include it on your invitations and on signage or napkins at the wedding itself, but if there’s a mother cringing over this idea, simply leave it up to your wedding party to spread the word about the hashtag. A lot of your guests are likely following each other on social media anyway so they’ll catch on quickly.
To get the most hashtag participation, shout it out. Photo credit: handmadeandcraft.com
Hello custom Snapchat filter
Snapchat has an option where you can pay a few bucks in return for a specialized designed-by-you filter that’s tied to a geolocation and time. So get a cute filter worked up and submit it to Snapchat with the time and location you want it used for (your wedding date and space, obviously). Snapchat needs just one business day to review your request, and once they’ve given it the a-okay, it’s happy Snapping for you and your guests.
Design your own Snapchat geofilter for your wedding day. Photo credit: thisfairytalelife.com
Consider a drone
This will cost you extra, but if you love the idea of the sweeping views provided by aerial photography and videography for your wedding, you’ll find it’s worth the price — especially in beautiful Tahoe South. Drones will give you a vantage point from your special day that is not otherwise possible, and your guests will be oohing and aahing over the shots you’ll share on your wedding hashtag. Just be sure to check into any local ordinances and ensure that your venue is drone-friendly before you splash out on this service — a local professional drone operator or videographer should be in the know on such things. Tip: Let guests know that a drone is going to be used so they aren’t distracted by it — and let’s face it — so that no one’s crazy Uncle Billy tries to shoot it down.
Footage of your wedding from the vantage point of a drone can add a whole new perspective to the memories of your day. Photo credit: Calcagno Media
Live stream it
Chances are, not everyone you invite to your wedding will be able to attend, for one reason or another. If you feel like key people are missing out on your big day, consider live streaming your ceremony and parts of your reception. Using tools like Skype or FaceTime allow you to easily stream with an individual, while a tool like Google Hangouts allows you to broadcast to numerous people all at once, virtually anywhere. Of course, you’ll need a reliable internet connection at your venue along with a capable device with webcam, but today these things are so commonplace, the only thing you’ll need to “set up” is assigning this job to a trusted friend or family member to take care of it while the spotlight is on you. Or, better yet, inquire with your videographer or photographer to find out if they are willing to help coordinate this aspect of your day.
Technology allows for virtual wedding guests. Photo credit: WedOurWay.com
Follow up on the hashtag
With digital videos and photographs, chances are your videographer and photographer are going to get a few teasers and proofs to you fast. Keep using your wedding hashtag to share video snippets, professional wedding photos — and maybe even shots from your honeymoon — with your loved ones. Tip: Remind guests of the hashtag on your thank-you notes. In the past, many wedding guests would never get to see the photos or videos created at a wedding, so this allows for a wonderful peek into one of the best days of your life.
Wedding couple on the pier at Beach Retreat & Lodge at Tahoe.
