 |
| Image by SimonShaw |
It has worked its way into every industry, sector and trade imaginable, including the big business of weddings. But should it play a part in such a traditional celebration and union of two people? I’ve decided to put pen to paper, or fingers to keyboard, to assemble a pro/con list, which should make the decision to involve social media in your special day that much easier...
The Pros
Social media will save you money. If your wedding budget is already strained under the weight of registrar fees and catering, chances are you’ll be looking to save money wherever you can, and an easy way to do that is to invite guests digitally.
You won’t have to look hard to find some great examples of YouTube invites and ‘Save the Date’ messages, or even whole websites set up for the purpose of providing guests with information about the big day.
Planning can also take an online form, collage sites such as Pinterest and Polyvore allowing users to create virtual mood boards of their favourite ideas – from table decorations to bridesmaid outfit ideas. Pinterest now has private boards – perfect if you don’t want to share your ideas with the rest of the world.
Another plus is that far flung friends and family don’t have to miss out. While I’d be wary of using social media during the ceremony, it is a great way for relatives who couldn’t attend to share your special occasion. You can video the ceremony and stream a live link to the computers of guest who can’t physically be there – a great option for anyone with bedridden relatives or those living on a different continent.
 |
| Image by jez atkinson |
The Cons
Social media may not go down well with older guests or those with more traditional values, particularly when it comes to the invites. A ‘Save the Date’ email, Facebook message or YouTube video are quite common these days, but if your 93 year old great aunt doesn’t own a computer, let alone know how to poke someone, she’s unlikely to be impressed with a digital invite.
Your day will go viral before you say ‘I do’. Ok, well probably not viral, but you could find guests tweeting about the details and Instagraming your dress before you’ve even walked up the aisle. This can be frustrating as you want your guests to focus on you during the ceremony, not their phones, but the upside is that unless you’re surgically attached to your phone, you won’t notice any of this social media activity until after the wedding.
To Social or Not to Social?Social media may not go down well with older guests or those with more traditional values, particularly when it comes to the invites. A ‘Save the Date’ email, Facebook message or YouTube video are quite common these days, but if your 93 year old great aunt doesn’t own a computer, let alone know how to poke someone, she’s unlikely to be impressed with a digital invite.
Your day will go viral before you say ‘I do’. Ok, well probably not viral, but you could find guests tweeting about the details and Instagraming your dress before you’ve even walked up the aisle. This can be frustrating as you want your guests to focus on you during the ceremony, not their phones, but the upside is that unless you’re surgically attached to your phone, you won’t notice any of this social media activity until after the wedding.
Social media can play a part in your big day and while it doesn’t have to, some of these examples show that it could save you money, inform your guests and be fun too. Everyone else will want to get involved and share your wedding online, so why don’t you beat them to it and be the leader of the pack?
No one is suggesting you create your own wedding hashtag to add to your growing list of party supplies, but you should accept that photos of the dress/cake/first dance will be online before you come back from your honeymoon.
Personally I’d leave any form of social media outside of the ceremony – it’s quite common for registers to ask guests not to take photos during the ceremony, so you could request a ban on the use of phones during this time, too – but other than that it makes sense to weave it into your day somehow.
Author Bio:
Elise Lévêque is a technology-savvy bride-to-be who writes for Wedding & Party Store in her spare time. She sees nothing wrong in using social media to enhance her special day, but would be annoyed if she found her fiancée playing Angry Birds at the altar.
Post a Comment