The BEST way to MULTI-STREAM your wedding

The Challenge

If you’re taking the “DIY approach” to live streaming your wedding, you probably want to include ALL your guests right?

The entire point of live streaming is to incorporate friends and family who can’t  be there in person, whether because of COVID or some other reason, but getting folks to join your live stream can be an enormous undertaking. 

No matter how many reminders you send, how many RSVPs you receive, it’s incredibly easy for guests to lose track of time and miss the wedding entirely.

So what’s the solution?

The Solution

Well, if you can’t get guests to come to you, then you go to them!

Thanks to the brilliance of modern technology, we can now do something called “multi-streaming” which essentially means streaming to multiple locations at the same time including:

• Facebook (for those guests who never check email)

• YouTube (for those guests who never check Facebook)

• Twitch (for those guests who are constantly gaming)

This allows you to include all of the friends and family you’ve accumulated over the years even if they are geographically and digitally dispersed across the world.

But multi-streaming can be a complicated endeavor because all these different locations want to be the “one platform to rule them all”.

They want to monopolize your time and they hate sharing time with anyone else, a bit like a jealous boyfriend.

This means it’s not as simple as going live through Facebook, switching apps, then going live through YouTube.

You need to outsmart them …. with technology!

There are entire companies who are dedicated to the cause of helping you multi-stream your event and provide a bunch of features that make the process a breeze. 

What to look for

If you’re going the DIY live stream route, here are some things to look for in a multi-stream provider.

1. Ease of use: You want something that is easy to set up and operate. Live streaming can be complicated and the more complexity you reduce, the better off you’ll be.

2. Cost: Especially if you’re only planning to live stream your wedding, you don’t want to break the bank on a multi-stream provider. You want the service who will provide everything you need at the lowest cost.

3. Support: Tech companies nowadays do everything through AI and bots, which can be infuriating when you’re trying to get an answer to your question. Most of the time, when you can get a human helping you troubleshoot, you’ll be better off.

Best options

Don’t have time to do all the research? No worries, we’ve done it for you :)

We’ve scoured the internet and here are the best solutions we’ve identified.

1. Melon

2. Restream.io

3. Castr.io

Each provides a similar service, but with some very important differences that could make your break your live streaming experience.

Let’s run each of these options past the criteria we put forth above to see how they stack up against each other.

1.Melon

Melon is a strong up-and-comer in the multi-stream space and they’re quickly making strides to become the hottest game in town.

• Ease-of-use: Melon prides itself on having a simple user interface compared to other competitors like Restream. It’s designed so that your average Joe can get up and running without having a degree in computer science.

• Cost: While Melon does have a free version, we would recommend going with the Pro version which is only $15/month. It will give you all the features you need without breaking the bank or locking you into a long-term commitment.

• Support: Melon gives you support from an actual person! Praise the Lord! If you’re running into issues you can talk with a human being and they’ll get you up-and-running. Seems like such a basic thing, but so helpful.

2.Restream.io

Restream is a long-time player in the multi-streaming space and they are commonly used by folks with a little bit of experience in the live streaming space.

• Ease-of-use: Restream is a bit like killing a mosquito with a cannon ball. It has a lot of awesome features that you will probably never use and will most likely get in the way of you actually having a good live streaming experience for your wedding. Complexity is the enemy of execution and this is especially true with regard to your wedding day.

• Cost: For a similar feature set as Melon, you’re going to be paying a whopping $49/month which is a hefty price tag if you’re just planning to stream a single event and not use half the features they provide. They do have a $19/month option, but this gives you far less features than Melon.

• Support: We couldn’t find anything that mentioned user support, either during the stream or prior. It seems as though they’ve provided a knowledge base and chat window on their website, but their features don’t mention troubleshooting or support of any kind.

3.Castr.io

Castr is a fan favorite among professionals, especially those who have a lot of experience live streaming to multiple destinations.

• Ease-of-use: Castr has many good qualities, but simplicity is not chief among them. Even looking at their website is disorienting and they throw out terms like “multiple ingest” and “platform toggling” … which make no sense to 99% of people. And their service is not the easiest to get started with either unless you’re familiar with live streaming and know what you’re doing.

• Cost: Here’s the good news. For most of the features you’ll need, Castr is only going to cost you $15/month which is substantially less than Restream and on par with what you’d receive from Melon.

• Support: More good news! Castr provides 24/7 support via live chat with their representatives. They don’t mention phone support but talking with a person in-general will give you peace of mind that you’re not on your own.

Conclusion

If you’re looking for a simple, cost-effective way to live stream your wedding to multiple destinations then we would recommend Melon. They are fast, easy-to-use, and won’t bog you down with all the bells and whistles that make the other platforms overly complex.

If you’re looking for a more robust solution, then you might explore something like Castr, Restream, or even some other options like Streamyard but we wouldn’t recommend this for most couples trying to plan a virtual wedding.

If you want to have an AMAZING live stream of your wedding, we would also recommend …

Our recommendation

Hiring professionals to do it for you!! 

If you feel overwhelmed by the prospect of live streaming your wedding, then give us a shout.

Our experienced team will take care of everything so you can simply relax on your wedding day knowing that you will have an HD live stream from multiple angles, complete with high quality audio.

We can also multi-stream your wedding for you so that all your friends and family can watch on their chosen platform and not miss a moment.

Click the link below and tell us how we can help make your wedding day amazing!

3 TIPS TO MAXIMIZING ANY WEDDING SHOW

Wedding shows are one of the best ways to speed up the wedding planning process. Whether you just got engaged or you are deep in the planning weeds, we have a few tips to make the most out of any wedding show.

1.Make a game plan

Creating a strategy is the best way to maximize your time and avoid getting swept away with the crowd.

The biggest question you need to ask yourself is: 

“What stage am I in the planning process?”

Am I … 

• Just starting = your primary objective is information gathering. You don’t need to do as much research in advance because you’re looking for ideas not decisions. Make sure to talk with a LOT of vendors and avoid spending all your time with vendors from one category (e.g. only talking with photographers).

• In the thick of it = your primary objective is narrowing down options. Research the vendors in advance and spend the majority of your time talking with vendors in categories you haven’t chosen yet, but also keep your eyes peeled for creative ideas you hadn’t considered.

• Nearly done =  your primary objective is making decisions. We recommend doing a LOT of research beforehand so you know exactly which vendors to target. Wedding shows are the perfect way to see if you resonate with someone on a personal level and if they are a good fit for your wedding. Focus intently on finishing your remaining items then explore and look for options you hadn’t thought of yet.

2.Bring the right tools

Having the appropriate tools in your toolbox can make the entire wedding show experience EXPONENTIALLY EASIER and turn you into a lean, mean, decision-making machine.

Here’s what we would recommend

• A tote bag = most wedding shows will provide you with a bag of some sort, but not all. Also, sometimes they’re small and can’t carry all of the cards, flyers, and freebies you’ll pick up along the way. Get something with a little heft that you can carry throughout the day.

• Contact stickers = vendors need a way to get in touch with you and a lot of them will do some sort of giveaway for providing your contact information. By creating a small sticker that has your name, fiance’s name, phone number, email, and wedding date you will skip the writer’s cramp and speed up the process.

• Walking shoes = whether it’s for the show or just so you have something to change into afterward, your feet will thank you for giving them reprieve from the heels or dress shoes you’ve forced them into.

3.Ask good questions

Many vendors have been in the industry a long time and have a wealth of information at their disposal. By asking the right questions, you can maximize your output from the wedding show.

Here are some of the best questions to ask...

• Is there a [insert vendor type] you would recommend I talk with?

  • The wedding industry is highly relational and vendors refer other vendors who they have enjoyed working with and who make their life easier. You can determine high quality vendors by asking this question to multiple people and see if their answers overlap. 

• Do you have any promotion for booking within the next few days?

  • Vendors are looking to fill up their calendars quickly and, many times, will offer special deals for people at the wedding show (even if it’s not advertised). If you really like a vendor and know you’ll book them, don’t sit on it for a week - make the decision quickly and save yourself some money.

• What are the biggest things I should be looking for in a [insert vendor type]?

  • For videography, we constantly tell people “find someone who can tell the story of your day”. For other vendors, I’m sure they would say something completely different, but by evaluating their response to this question you can have a more discerning eye when looking at other vendors in that category.

Here are some questions to avoid...

• How much do you charge?

  • Typically vendors either have their prices listed on their website or can easily send it to you. Don’t waste your time trying to have them explain their pricing structure in the middle of a crowded space, rather determine whether you like the quality of their work and save the price conversation for a later time.

• Do you have my date available?

  • This is another tactical question that requires the vendor to open their calendar and/or email to see whether they have any bookings or active requests. Also, they may get booked by the end of the wedding show and the question will have been a waste of your time.

• How long have you been doing this?

  • Time is not an indicator of skill and all experience is not equal. Instead, ask for a sample of their work or ask if they have experience with your particular type of wedding. If the quality of work and price point is what you want, their tenure is irrelevant.

In conclusion …

Wedding shows are a fantastic way to shortcut the planning process and these tips are designed to help you get the most out of them.

At Married Livestream, we consider it a blessing to be a part of your wedding and want to be a blessing in return. If you have questions about videography, live streaming, or the planning process in general, send us an email at connect@marriedlivestream.com

We would love to hear about your special day and learn how we can help!

HOW TO HACK YOUR GUEST LIST WITH LIVE STREAMING

Making your guest list can be a time-consuming and headache-inducing part of the planning process. 

You’re trying to balance relational dynamics, financial constraints, venue size … the list goes on, and it seems like no matter what you do someone will be upset.

BUT DON’T WORRY!

With Live Streaming, you have a new tool in your arsenal and an ace up your sleeve.

Here are 5 ways live streaming can help you build a better guest list:

1. Save money

According to Business Insider, the average cost of a wedding is $33,391 and according to TheKnot the average wedding size is 136. 

Some quick math tells me that’s about $245 per guest. 

Obviously everyone’s wedding is different, but you get the point: weddings can be expensive

Here’s how live streaming can help

Step 1: Divide your list into “Definitely yes”, “Definitely no”, and “Not sure”

Step 2: Calculate the approximate cost of inviting the “Not sure” guests

Step 3: Determine if the cost of live streaming is less than that number

2. Include all your remote family and friends

Are there people on your guest list who desperately want to attend, but can’t due to factors outside their control? 

Here are some of the biggest reasons we’ve seen for non-attendance:

• Elderly guests can’t travel long distances easily

• Timing of the wedding doesn’t align with work or other responsibilities

• Financial constraints often limit traveling, especially for families

Here’s how live streaming can help

1. At Married Livestream we provide a high quality experience with multiple camera angles and quality audio

2. We also provide you with a full recording of the live stream immediately so guests who can’t watch the live stream directly can still watch it afterward

2. Eliminate venue constraints

There are two common stressors with your venue and guest list:

1. You want to invite more people than your venue can hold

2. You’re worried more people will attend than expected and you won’t have space

Here’s how live streaming can help

1. Provide a high quality live stream for guests who you’re on the fence about inviting

2. Prepare an overflow room where guests can watch the ceremony live stream if there isn’t space in the actual ceremony location

3. Avoid awkward situations

No family is perfect and there is almost always a challenging family dynamic to accommodate.

Sometimes it is impossible to NOT include someone and you need a creative solution.

Here’s how live streaming can help

Provide a compromise by personally inviting the guest to the live viewing instead of having them attend in person. Many times, they are also looking for an alternative way to show you support without making things uncomfortable and will be glad for the option.

5. Give your family a voice

Many times your close relatives (usually parents) have family or friends they want to include in the wedding

Regardless of the situation or relationship, saying “no” to can be hard, but live streaming provides a creative solution.

Here’s how live streaming can help:

Instead of saying “sorry, that person can’t come” you can say “we’d love to include them and invite them to the professional live stream we’re providing”. Having a live stream shows you care about the people who can’t be there in-person while also giving your family a way to include their friends.

In summary

Planning out your guest list can be stressful but we believe live streaming can help.

If you’re interested in live streaming your wedding, reach out to us at connect@marriedlivestream.com

We would love to hear more about how we can help with your special day!

Best,

Dale and Lydia Wilson

5 tips to choosing your perfect wedding videographer

Ok so you want to capture all the special moments and memories from your wedding and have decided to hire a wedding videographer. Then you went online and realized that there is so much information to sort through and a wide variety of styles.

So how do you narrow it down? 

Well, there are 5 simple ways to shortcut the decision process and find the perfect videographer for your special day.

1. Know the “type” of video you want

There are two main categories of wedding videos:

1. Cinematic 5-10 minute highlight video: This is the most popular type of wedding video and is primarily dedicated to showcasing the most emotional and memorable parts of your day. The videographer will shoot a lot of footage throughout the day and spend a lot of time picking the best moments to tell a comprehensive story of your wedding.

2. Long-form documentary video: This type of wedding video is focused on showing every moment of your day, typically with a less discerning lens about which shots look cinematic. It’s more about capturing the raw, unfiltered moments throughout the day and giving a full picture of all the events. These edits can be anywhere from 20 - 60 minutes and will look more like a documentary than a cinematic video.

Some wedding videographers can do both, but most videographers specialize in either one or the other and knowing your preference allows you to quickly decide “yay” or “nay”.

2. Focus on the storytelling

Regardless of style, a videographer is supposed to make you feel like you were at the wedding. They are storytellers and have the enormous responsibility of capturing and re-telling moments in a way that builds emotion and conveys a message. 

If you only watch 10 seconds of their video, it’s probably because they aren’t telling an engaging story that makes you want to watch more. Find a videographer who’s videos captivate you and draw you into the story of the wedding day.

3. Find your style 

Every videographer has a different way of capturing weddings. The only thing that matters is whether you enjoy watching and re-watching what they create. Do you prefer the slow, dreamy, romantic type of wedding video? Do you gravitate toward the fast-paced, fun, energetic types of edits? A good measure of whether you jive with someone’s style is whether you feel compelled to show their video to your fiance (typically accompanied by the phrase “babe - you have to check this out”). 

*ONE CAVEAT* Every skilled videographer can tailor their videos to a couple’s preference and wedding situation. Watching one video may not give you the full picture of their style but if you watch a few edits, you should get a good idea for the style they gravitate toward

4. Check the connection

Consider this: your photographer and videographer will be with you during your wedding nearly as much as your fiance.

Let that sink in … pretty crazy huh?

So before you rush to call up that distant cousin who took a film class in college, consider whether your videographer can do the following:

• Help you feel comfortable in front of a camera: Most people aren’t in front of a camera every day and it can feel a bit awkward at first. You want someone who’s comfortable to be around, makes you laugh, and helps you feel beautiful or handsome. 

• Work well with your photographer: You’ve hired both the photographer and videographer to make your day special and memorable. It’s not a competition and they both should have the same objective and work together to create an enjoyable experience.

• Keep calm in the midst of a stressful environment: Every wedding has complications and if your videographer starts panicking it’s hard for you to relax and enjoy the day. Their job is to worry about video, your job is to get married. You shouldn’t have to worry about whether they are getting the right shots or capturing the special moments.

Whether it’s over the phone or in-person, if you’re having trouble connecting on a personal level with your videographer, you may want to reconsider whether they are a good fit.

5. Examine the questions, not the monologue

Remember, you are hiring the videographer for their skill and expertise. They should ask you a lot of questions and offer suggestions to make sure your wedding day goes smoothly. No wedding is the same (although the format may be similar) and you want to work with someone who wants to understand how to tell your unique story beautifully. 

During a phone or coffee consultation, take note of how many questions they ask you and how much they seek to understand what’s special about your wedding. If they spend all the time talking and never ask you any questions, they’ve already put you in a box with all their other videos.

6. Determine your price range

This one’s a gimme. If you can’t afford a high-end videographer then you probably shouldn’t hire one, but that doesn’t mean you need to have an exact number. Just knowing a ballpark figure (eg. “around $3,500”) will help you narrow down the candidates pretty quickly and sort out videographers who are way above or way below your threshold.

If you’re going down the free or cheap route, here are a few things we HIGHLY recommend:

• Always pay something: Even if it’s your best friend, brother, or cousin, always pay them something for their time. Here why: PEOPLE TAKE STUFF MORE SERIOUSLY WHEN THEY GET PAID! Free gifts usually fall to the bottom of people’s to-do lists, especially when it takes a lot of time and effort.

• Accept the risk: Lower cost typically accompanies lower quality or lower reliability. If you ask your distant cousin to capture the most special day of your life, you need to accept that it may not turn out exactly how you’d like. Hiring a professional provides you with a quality result and gives you one less thing to worry about.

AND FINALLY ...

Videographers have a special job: to tell the story of your day. We feel honored whenever couples ask us to be part of their special moments and we take that job very seriously.

If you’re planning a wedding and want to learn more, send us an email at connect@marriedlivestream.com. We would love to hear about your wedding and find how to tell the story of your day beautifully.

Blessings,

Dale + Lydia Wilson