Expert Guide to Live Streaming Your Wedding in 2020
How to Go Live without Going Insane
First off, why live stream?
Modern technology has gone a long way and opened up many possibilities for doing tasks remotely. And with the recent outbreak of Covid-19, the ability to do so has only become more important in our daily lives. If you are planning for a wedding in 2020, I’m sure you’ve had to deal with the stresses of cancellations, postponements, and adjustments to your guestlist. I assume that you’re probably reading this because you’d love to share your big day with friends and family who would otherwise attend in person.
Whether it’s due to health precautions, travel restrictions, or guest count limits, live streaming is the best way to include your guests who can’t be there.
Fortunately, live streaming is practically free. As long as you have a cell phone or laptop and access to the internet, you can make it happen. Include just a few accessories, and you can take your stream quality to the next level.
Below is our guide to live streaming your wedding or elopement. If you’re considering hiring a professional to take care of the stream, we provide live streaming services along with wedding videography (we have bundle packages too!). We’ll take care of it so that you can enjoy your special day!
(We appreciate your support for what we do when you use our no-cost-to-you affiliate links below.)
The Wedding Stream Scavenger Hunt
Here’s a list of all you need to set up your live stream. You probably have most of these items or know a family member or friend you can borrow from.
Necessities
1. Cell phone or laptop with camera
2. Tripod or tall table - Video quality doesn’t matter if your feed is shaky. Stabilize your camera!
Tabletop Tripod: Manfrotto Pixi
Phone Mount: Ailun Mount Holder
Full-size Tripod: Ubeesize Phone Tripod
3. Internet Connection - WiFi is ideal as long as the connection is fast enough. Otherwise you can use cell phone tethering or a mobile hotspot.
4. Facebook, Youtube, or Zoom account - Each platform has its own benefits, but if you’re FB friends with all of your guests Facebook has the easiest setup. We have more info on the different streaming services below.
5. A Helper to manage the livestream - Because you’ll be busy getting married!
Not as necessary but very helpful
1. External Microphone - Greatly improves the sound quality of your stream. I’d recommend this microphone for Apple users and this for Android users.
2. External battery for phone/laptop - If you aren’t plugged into an outlet, streaming can drain your battery quicker than normal.
Let’s make it happen
1. Set up streaming platform account
Facebook - You can create a private Facebook group and invite all the guests that you would like to watch your stream. When you go live, you can select to only stream to the group. Keep in mind that Facebook has a 90min time limit, so be prepared to restart your stream if you plan on going live for longer.
YouTube - This platform requires a bit more work to set up, as you have to “Verify” your account in order to get access to live streaming. You may also be restricted to using a laptop to stream, as mobile streaming is only allowed for accounts with over 1,000 subscribers. Once set up, you can schedule a private stream and share your link with your virtual attendees!
Zoom - Zoom is our preferred streaming service, as it gives the most adjust-ability over privacy and guest interaction. While not technically a “streaming” service, you can set up a meeting and invite your guests to join using a Meeting ID (Password is optional). If they have their own webcam or are watching on their phone, guests can enable their own video so you can see them celebrate with you! Zoom meetings have a 40min limit on free accounts, and no limit on their $14/mo PRO accounts. If you need more than 100 meeting attendees, you’d have to consider their higher tier memberships.
2. Test your internet connection and do a test stream
During your venue walkthrough or rehearsal, perform internet speed tests using the venue WiFi, cell data, hotspot, etc. You’ll want to have an Upload Speed of at least 3Mbps, but go with whichever method provides the fastest speed. Afterwards, test it out! Have a friend join your stream from elsewhere to evaluate the video and audio quality. Make sure to test the stream wherever you plan on having the camera set up. You may have a stronger connection inside when connected to WiFi than out in the courtyard with data.
3. Decide where to set up
Phones and laptops don’t have the best internal mics, so placing your live stream setup as close to the action is the best way for your viewers to hear your amazing vows. Using external mics, you can improve the quality and reach of your audio feed (more on that in the next section).
4. Prepare your helper
Having a helper that knows their way around the live streaming interface can take a big weight off of your shoulders. For instance, if your helper knows how to “Pin” a video on Zoom, you can prevent any of your guests’ video feeds from showing up on everyone’s screen if they make a sound. Your helper can also move the camera around in case you move out of frame.
5. Start your stream early
Even if your test went off without a hitch, problems can still occur on the day of your wedding. Starting the stream 10-15min early to address any issues can help make sure your virtual guests can enjoy the processional! Also, it allows guests to join the stream a little early.
6. Say hi to your stream viewers!
When it’s all said and done, don’t forget to go up to your phone or laptop and address your online guests! Also Zoom and Facebook either have a chat box or comment thread where your guests may have posted their well wishes.
Let me Upgrade Ya
If your phone or webcam quality isn’t quite what you’d like, and you want to take your stream audio and video to the next level. Below are some additional accessories you can purchase to improve your stream.
1. Mobile Hotspot
The largest factor that will affect your overall stream quality is your internet connection. Regardless of what gear you use, a slow connection will lead to choppiness, a low-resolution video feed, or a lack of a stream altogether. If ethernet or WiFi is not an option, and you don’t want to risk reaching your data cap, purchasing a mobile hotspot will give you a source of WiFi with unlimited data. Even if you have unlimited data on your phone, your internet speed may be reduced once you reach a certain threshold (for instance, Verizon’s limit is 22GB).
2. DSLR/Mirrorless Camera + HDMI Cable + USB Video Capture Device
These are bundled together because you need all three to improve your video quality. The USB device essentially turns your camera into a webcam, greatly improving your video quality. Make sure your camera has an HDMI output, and that the cable you use is the correct size (Micro-HDMI to HDMI, Mini-HDMI to HDMI, or HDMI to HDMI). Most modern cameras provide better video quality than your webcam, so even if you have a point and shoot you should take it into consideration! Below is an example of an external camera setup I recommend:
Camera: Sony a6000
USB Video Capture Device: Elgato Cam Link 4k
HDMI Cable: AmazonBasics High Speed HDMI Cable
3. OBS Studio Software
This free software allows you to use the above bundle on Facebook Live and YouTube Live. Zoom can work with the video capture device directly and doesn’t require OBS.
4. External Microphone for Camera
HDMI will transmit both video and audio from your camera. So it helps to improve the audio capture from your camera! Similar to the phone mics, external on-camera mics help direct and focus the audio capture so your guests can hear the event more clearly.
I recommend this on-camera mic: Rode VideoMic Pro
And for a more budget alternative: Rode VideoMicro
TLDR: How to stream a wedding
Here’s a quick rundown of how to stream your wedding!
1. Choose your live streaming service and set up your private group/meeting room
2. Gather all of your streaming hardware
3. Choose a helper to manage your stream
4. Determine your ideal internet connection method and do a test stream
5. Start your stream early
6. Get married!
7. Rewatch your wedding, or view comments your guests may have left for you!
Sail and Summit Live Streaming Services
Wedding planning even under normal circumstances is a huge undertaking. Live streaming may be something you only recently considered in order to adapt to restrictions caused by current events. We’d be happy to take care of your live streaming needs for you.
Our live streaming packages start at $650. Please reach out to us if you’d like more information!