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Absent friends: Make sure distant loved ones enjoy your wedding.
By Janine Good
With all wedding guest lists, there are always friends and family who live across the miles. You want to include these important people as part of your special day. But how? Here are ten different ways you and your groom to-be can include these long distance loved ones into your wedding festivities.
1. Hook up a Webcam
For those special people who have Internet access, hook up a webcam for live broadcasting across the Internet. Using their computer screens, your family and friends will be able to view your vow exchange, first kiss, and other aspects of the ceremony.
2. Catch them on video
Have one of your bridesmaids or groomsmen make arrangements with your absent friends to send video messages to you and your groom. During the reception their messages of love can be broadcast in front of all your guests.
3. Use a speakerphone
Before reciting your nuptials, call your loved ones on a speakerphone and let them listen in on your ceremony. This way, even though they are far away, your friends will hear your promises to love, honour and cherish from abroad.
4. Keep them posted
As you and your groom bustle around in all stages of your wedding planning, send progress reports in the form of letters, postcards or emails. Although they are abroad, these special guests will feel a sense of involvement within your detailed planning.
5. Get guest book RSVP's
When sending your invitations to your long-distance loved ones, ask them to send their RSVP's back with a note to include in your guest book. They can express their happiness for you and your groom in writing, since they cannot tell you personally on your big day.
6. Have them stand out
If you are adamant about having your missing relatives visually present, have pictures of them blown up and put on large movie-advertising type cardboard. Then, place them throughout the pews or chairs beside guests who could make it in person. You will feel their presence within the ceremony.
7. Create a balloon bouquet
Nowadays, Mylar balloons can be customized with personal photographs upon them. If you and your groom are including balloons in your décor, have each missing loved one's picture placed on a separate balloon. Then, have them scattered throughout the reception room in various balloon bouquets. This is a nice subtle way to include these guests from across the miles.
8. Pillow talk
Want to get creative? Have pillows made for each absentee. Have each person's name embroidered on a separate pillow. Line them up in a separate pew or aisle and, after the ceremony, send them their pillows as a wedding keepsake.
9. Record their voices
If one of your missing guests can sing, have him or her record a solo for you and your groom and have it played at the ceremony in place of a live solo.
10. Meet them halfway
Many brides and grooms accommodate relatives and friends living in various cities and countries by having a destination wedding. If you can afford it, fly your loved ones to this meeting place. Having your wedding abroad will not only serve as a great wedding reception with including these special people you don't see too often, but as a fun honeymoon as well.
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