[Remote Wedding] What should you wear and give as a gift if you are attending a wedding remotely?

The spread of COVID-19 has completely changed our lifestyles. As various activities, such as remote work and remote drinking parties, move online, hotels and wedding venues have begun offering "remote wedding" services.

After celebrities' remote weddings made the news, the concept became more well-known and was featured on television and in other media.

However, there are still not many people who have experienced a remote wedding. If you are invited to a remote wedding, what should you be careful of?

There are endless questions, such as "How is it different from a traditional wedding?", "What should I do about the gift money and what to wear on the day?", etc. This time, we have compiled some points to consider if you are attending as a guest, based on examples of remote weddings that have been held in the past.

What is a remote wedding (online wedding)?

This is a new type of wedding ceremony where guests do not attend the ceremony venue in person, but instead the wedding ceremony is streamed online. There are two main types of remote weddings that have been confirmed so far.

1. All attendees will be fully remote

The bride and groom will hold the ceremony at a hotel or their home, and all guests will participate remotely. Common tools for streaming remote wedding videos areZOOM.

Guests can use ZOOM without registering an account, so all they need is an internet connection and a PC or smartphone. If you want to use it without registering, it will be smoother if you install the app version in advance. It can be used for free on both PC and smartphone.

・Download for PCCLICK HERE
・App StoreCLICK HERE
・Google Play StoreCLICK HERE

In addition, ZOOM allows not only the host but also the guests to see each other's faces, creating a sense of unity that is different from traditional weddings.

2. Only some attendees will participate remotely

Only those who live far away or are unable to attend due to illness or injury will participate remotely. The wedding ceremony will be broadcast live to some of the attendees, with the actual ceremony being held at the venue. Since the wedding itself will be held in the same format as before, there will be no change to the attendees who will be attending the venue in person.

The pros and cons of remote weddings

Remote weddings have been gaining attention due to the impact of COVID-19. While many reports have highlighted the benefits of remote weddings as part of a new lifestyle, there are still many concerns about the service, as it has only just begun. Here are some of the pros and cons felt by people who have actually attended.

Advantages of remote weddings [1]: No risk of infection

In July, it was discovered that a guest at a wedding reception held at a certain wedding hall had been infected with COVID-7, and this was reported nationwide. Wedding guests come from all over the country, so if an infection were to occur, it is expected that it would have a major impact on all attendees.

However, with a remote wedding, you can participate from home without having to meet in person, so you don't have to worry about infection prevention measures.

Benefits of remote weddings [2]: Lowering the barrier to attendance

Even if you truly want to celebrate, there are times when you have to give up attending due to various circumstances. If you are attending from afar, it may be difficult to coordinate the schedule, you may have small children who are difficult to keep quiet for long periods of time, you may have an illness or injury that makes it difficult to travel, or you may be short of money due to a series of unexpected expenses...

However, with a remote wedding, you don't have to consider travel time, and there's no financial or physical burden associated with travel, so people who would have difficulty attending a traditional wedding are more likely to be able to attend.

Disadvantages of remote weddings [1]: Audio and video are prone to interruptions

ZOOM is said to be a relatively stable video tool, but there have been quite a few cases where important parts were not heard due to internet speed or equipment problems. The staff at hotels and wedding venues hosting remote weddings are not internet experts, so they are probably still feeling their way around.

Conversely, if remote weddings become more widespread in the future, it is expected that the development of new specialized tools and equipment will progress.

Disadvantages of remote weddings [2]: It can be difficult for elderly people and those who are not familiar with the internet.

While there are many benefits for the elderly, such as "no risk of infection" and "no burden of travel," there are also many aspects that people who are not used to using PCs or smartphones may find difficult.

The process of setting up an internet connection and device, setting up the microphone and camera in the case of a PC, and accessing the URL received via email or LINE by the appointed time can be difficult if you don't have family or friends you can rely on.

There is a considerable demand for remote weddings, with some people wanting to show their frail grandparents their beautiful appearance while they are still healthy, but in order to make this wish come true, the support of those around them will be essential.

Disadvantages of remote weddings [3]: Many people are resistant to remote weddings themselves.

Although remote weddings are becoming more commonplace these days, the reality is that many people have negative opinions about remote weddings, saying things like, "It's sad to have to do even the wedding ceremony remotely," and "I want to meet in person in the same space and celebrate."

Wedding planning chat consultation platform "PLACOLE WEDDINGOperate "Adventure Company PlacoleAccording to a survey conducted by the , only 13% of people said they would be okay with remote weddings, suggesting that the majority of people still prefer the traditional way of holding weddings.

Reference 13% of respondents said they would like to hold a popular online wedding ceremony.PR TIMES

Resolving your concerns about remote weddings! Important points to consider when attending

We will introduce some points to consider if you are invited as a guest, based on examples from people who have actually participated in remote weddings.

What should I wear when attending a remote wedding?

There are no rules about what to wear to a remote wedding. Some people dress up as if they were going to the wedding venue, while others wear casual everyday clothes.

However, if the wedding invitation does not include any specific message about attire, such as "casual attire is fine," it is best to dress up and attend.

If I attend a wedding remotely, how much should I give as a gift and how should I send it?

There are two ways to send gifts for a remote wedding: by sending cash directly by registered mail, or by transferring money online.

Whether or not online payment is possible depends on the service chosen by the bride and groom, but some services allow credit card payments and have a "wish list" function that allows the bride and groom to receive gifts once they have accumulated enough money to purchase the items they want.

Remote weddings are relatively cheaper than traditional weddings, but in many cases the decision on whether to give wedding gifts will depend on whether or not a wedding gift is given and the amount, so unless there are particularly difficult circumstances, it is safe to give 3 yen.

If the remote wedding information does not specify anything about wedding gifts, talk to the bride and groom about how to send the money.

Do I prepare my own meals on the day?

The bride and groom will usually arrange for the drinks and food for the toast to be delivered via refrigerated delivery. The guests will then reheat the food in the microwave or on the stove. If there are any ingredients that you cannot eat due to allergies, please let them know in advance, just like at a regular wedding.

Menus developed specifically for remote weddings are already available, and it seems likely that the variety of "authentic dishes that can be heated in the microwave" will continue to increase in the future.

Conclusion

There are still not many opportunities to actually experience a remote wedding, but if you are invited, you'll want to celebrate wholeheartedly while enjoying a new culture. If you have any questions or concerns, be sure to check with the bride and groom in advance to ensure the day goes smoothly.

"PR"