Bride Hacks

Small Weddings – Including Family Remotely

In this Small Weddings series we're looking at the ways that you can have a beautiful, personal wedding within the current wedding restrictions.

This article is all about how you can involve friends and family in your wedding, even if they can't be there to witness it in person. From houseplants to zoom readings, read on to discover creative ways to make sure those who can't attend are included in your special day.

Photo by Tobias Lohr

Plant People

plants in church intimate wedding
Photo by Anna Wood Photography

Borrow your loved ones’ houseplants to decorate the church or wherever you’re getting married and it will feel like a little bit of them is there with you.

Remote Readings

zoom wedding
Photo by MIKI Studios

We’ve all become used to Zoom meetings, so why not get your friends and family to do readings virtually?

Musical Moments

Talented musician friends can pre-record their musical performance (safer than doing it live incase there’s any technical hiccups!)

Photo by Anna Wood Photography

Virtual Hugs

There are a multitude of ways you can share your wedding digitally these days, of course. A professional videographers can set up a live stream for you, which means you don’t need to worry about a guest holding a phone or tablet up for the duration of the ceremony. Or just get yourself a tripod for your phone (and a good internet connection!) and live stream via Facebook, Whatsapp, Zoom or Teams.

Greet Grandma

This couple visited the bride’s Grandma after the ceremony, as she was shielding. If you live close enough it’s a lovely way to include grandparents or other shielding relatives.

Photo by Anna Wood Photography

Friends Forever

Let your friends suggest ways of being involved in the ceremony, you never know what they might come up with….

Photo by Nadine van Biljon

This couple’s friend compiled a short film of messages from the rest of their friends back in Dubai who weren’t allowed to travel. They secretly got access to their home and filmed scenes all over the house…including this one, in their ensuite bathroom!

Photo by Nadine van Biljon

These friends had lifesize cut outs made of the couple, and watched the wedding via live stream with their cardboard counterparts!

Photo by Dan Morris Photography

These friends turned up with signs outside the ceremony venue!

Personal Call

Photo by Janina Brocklesby Photography

A simple personal video call before or after the ceremony will make all the difference.

Photo by Anna Wood Photography

However you decide to include friends and family remotely, they will appreciate the gesture. Luckily there are many ways to do so with modern technology. Can you think of any other ways of involving family remotely? Drop us a comment on social media! For all the latest guidance regarding weddings please consult the gov.uk website.

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Gaia Hudson

Written by gaia_bkir

Founder of Brides Keeping it Real and mum of two little ones, Leon & Ada. Passionate about providing a supportive online community for brides and grooms who want an achievable, uncomplicated wedding planning experience.