Families on different coasts

Hmmm, there are actual companies around that will come to your wedding and actually live steam your entire wedding to your guests that won't be able to make it, so I would look into something like that.


What I would also do is hire a videographer, so the people that won't be able to make it to the wedding will be able to see what went down with the current festivities.
I don't see the problem with actually having a small reception back east for the family over there, but I realize that costs money and might be a bit tedious. Though to involve the family back east, I would definitely fly back there and maybe have a mini photoshoot featuring said family as a way to involve them as much as they can.

My friend got married in London last year and her dad couldn't make it due to health reasons.. the show went on and they livestreamed the ceremony and then did a really sweet video/photo compilation with some heart wrenching music in the background dedicated to him after the bride and groom first dance... it was beautiful. Mostly just pics of my friend (bride) and her dad over the years... I would personally ask ur mom what she thinks too... my fiances grandma who basically raised him is not coming to our wedding in montana (she's in ohio) bc she is afraid she's going to die from the rona so it looks like we're going to do be doing something similar...

View Quoted Comment Yeah sorta the key problem with the multiple party/ceremony thing is cost. My initial thought was Livestream the ceremony for my mom so she could watch it from home but I do worry that she'll still feel like she's missing the wedding. Given that I'm not really willing to have it back East, I have a feeling this will be a point of contention no matter what. I like the idea of a photo shoot with family back home to help include them more. Maybe even having something like zoom going so it's not just a one way stream for her. Definitely some good ideas in here, thanks!

View Quoted Comment That idea is beautiful but if I'm honest also sounds a bit sad lol. It might be what's necessary though. My biggest problem, which I guess I failed to mention or include, is that if my mom doesn't go someone has to be there with her, likely my dad. That would mean neither of my parents could join the wedding. Overall, I think tech will help solve some of these problems but won't ever quite fix it. Sorry to hear about your fiances gma, but I can definitely relate considering my mom is in a similar situation. Luckily I'm not even in the planning stages of a wedding, just having the conversations around what we want because Coronavirus has given us a ton of free time to plan for the future lol. By the time we do get married, I don't see covid-19 having a huge impact on any or many decisions. Thanks for your input, super useful and do like the idea of a dedication of sorts.

I’m sorry about your mom’s health.


We had a similar situation — my family and friends are all from the west coast and his from Midwest/east coast.
His grandfather was super ill at the time and wouldn’t have been able to fly out to the west coast. If we did it on the east coast, it was less likely my family (aunts, uncles, my only living grandma, cousins) would be able to fly out due to finances. We eventually decided to hold the wedding on the west coast because it would mean more of our family and friends would be able to attend. We chose a semi-destination spot so that it could be a nice mini-vacation for his side (it was in February so going to San Diego was a great way for them to escape the snow). My family/friends had to still drive about 2 hours (from LA and OC) and stay in a hotel for at least a night, but the financial impact wasn’t as bad as an east coast wedding.
My husband’s grandfather did pass away about 5 months after we locked down our venue, but we originally were going to have our legal ceremony during the summer in Florida where he lived, and we were going to have him officiate it since he was a minister. Then just do the big wedding in February.

View Quoted Comment It's ok, she's been sick for a while (Parkinson's) so I've had a lot of time to come to terms with everything. You do raise an interesting point. Maybe in some world I fly out with my partner and her parents (I just pay for everyone) to Connecticut for a tiny ceremony and then do the wedding here with a live stream type deal. Financial impact low, family inclusion high, and the live stream will seem less like my mom's missing out when she's been the focal point of the first celebration. Love all the opinions here, really getting me thinking differently about this!

View Quoted Comment That seems like a good option! It also gives you more time to spend with your mom and soak in that special moment with her. At a big wedding, it’s so hard to try to spend time with your parents. I found my mom just sitting down towards the end of the night and I’m so glad I was able to take a few minutes just to sit there next to her her and soak it all in.


Also an idea that would be nice is to have a videographer capture your CT ceremony and maybe play the highlight film during dinner service? A great little way to incorporate your mom for the big reception!

View Quoted Comment I like that idea of incorporating the small ceremony back into the big reception type of thing. I think the key here will be making my mom feel as included as possible while also maintaining the wedding my partner and I are looking to have. Luckily it seems like I have more options than i originally thought.

View Quoted Comment I think the photoshoot will be a nice way to include her in the wedding, maybe even have the officiant make note of the people that weren't able to make it to the wedding.

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I like the idea of including the photoshoot or ceremony videos or something else into the reception/wedding/party whatever. I struggle with the note about those who couldn't attend. I can't decide if it will be triggering or sweet for my mom. I think at least with the video it will be less of a direct "you're not here" and more of a "you're included in this event even if you aren't here." Just not sure how to play it but I appreciate all the ideas anyhow. Ones that may not work are just as important as ones that may work because they both give me ideas for how this can go down in the best way possible.