Virtual Ceremony

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If our internet connection were more stable, we'd totally place the thing at the far back because we have access to a broadcast quality camera with a good zoom lens and I could rig the whole thing similar to an awards show broadcast. This would be a non-factor if we were indoor but because we're staying outside, we're opting to use a mobile device to stream off its data for more reliable internet.

I personally don't mind having the camera as a prop in the photos. Like you said, it's part of our day and a realistic depiction of events. What bugs me more is how it's an actual obstacle for people involved in the event itself.

I may end up doing the side-cam setup like you did but our venue also mentioned they have a podium so I may have the camera propped up on that instead of a tripod with the officiant behind it and us in front of it. Something for us to play around with when we do our rehearsal.

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You had your ceremony during lockdown, yes? I'd imagine with less bodies in the space you had more room to play around with the camera placement.

For our wedding we streamed live on Zoom & luckily our venue had someone who was in charge of managing the camera and ensuring everything was in great view, no obstructions.

The front seat does look the place to have the cameras for the best shot and if someone was to face it for the aisle walk and then the ceremony, it would work for the view and have only the photographer take the pictures though it would be in the way.

We had ours set up in the "front row" off to one side. We actually walked from the opposite direction though so our walk to the ceremony was still captured on video. The camera was visible in some of the photos but I honestly don't mind. It's a part of our wedding day just like some of the masks that showed up in photos. It's an honest documentation of how the day went down.

Because we only streamed it for my family we didn't mind having the angle more on me and less on my husband. You could still see him for the most part but he was turned slightly away from the camera. But even in normal ceremonies you typically end up seeing more of one person depending on the side of the aisle you're sitting on and how close to the front you are. It definitely wasn't a perfect set up but it did what we needed.

I think if you want to keep the camera out of most photos you're unfortunately not going to get the best angle. The only way to really get around it is to leave a lot of space between you and your guests for the photographer to get in front of the camera.

If you don't have an alternative way to walk down the aisle and get it on camera is there someone that can move the camera during the ceremony to capture different things?

We're using wireless handheld mics so it won't be an issue for us either but I know a lot of people are hosting ceremonies in outdoor areas where there's no access to power so wondering what they're doing.


In our situation, our sound board is likely closer to the front near the altar for us (depending on which space we end up using). We'll have to play around with the settings but most likely will have to keep it fairly close to the front somewhere.

If you put it in the front, facing the guests, it'll be in a lot of your pictures. We had it professionally streamed so sound was not an issue (my husband wore a lapel mic). Ours was at the end of the aisle/seats. They also zoomed in on us etc. If you're doing it yourself you can get a proper mic that connects and maybe have a friend willing to zoom/check everything is working - I'd be doing that regardless just to check in! I have a friend who streamed her church ceremony and no one checked so we all missed the first 20 minutes, and then we actually couldn't see much because a groomsmen was infront of the camera...