Throwing the Best Virtual Wedding Reception: Tips, Tricks, and Advice

 [Originally at How to Throw a Virtual Wedding Reception Your Guests Will Remember by Raven McMillan]

If you're saying "I do" in virtual ceremony don't let your wedding day end after the first kiss. Instead, consider this: A virtual wedding reception to celebrate with guests following the live-streamed ceremony! This type of event is not your average wedding reception, so to help you plan a virtual party your guests will be talking about long after logging off, we’re taking a peek behind the screens with industry expert Jeff Stillwell, an event planner who has perfected the hybrid event.

Read on for a step-by-step guide on how to plan an immersive virtual reception your guests will love!

Virtual Reception Etiquette

Who Throws a Virtual Wedding Reception? 

Commonly, a combination of the couple’s parents will “co-host” the virtual reception. Stillwell says that in today’s world, however, many couples decide to throw the virtual wedding and celebration themselves.

How to Pay for a Wedding, According to a Wealth Management Advisor

When Do You Throw a Virtual Wedding Reception?

“Even the most traditional ‘non-virtual type couples’ are realizing how some type of a digital component makes sense right now,” Stillwell says. “I feel that the future for most weddings and events will be a combination of a part live/part virtual celebration as this may also be the perfect plan for a couple who never wanted a big (and expensive) wedding.”

Who Gets Invited to a Virtual Wedding Reception?

Since virtual wedding receptions are still novel, one of the benefits of this event type is having no hard and fast rules dictated by tradition. You can literally plan this wedding however you like and invite whomever you want! Many keep the in-person guest count low, consisting of close relatives and friends, with virtual invites going to distant relatives and work friends—no feelings hurt, no budget bloated.

Do You Need to Send Formal Invitations? 

Stillwell feels strongly that a virtual wedding reception should include an actual mailed invitation (not an evite), as he says it’s important to send virtual guests something tangible, especially for an event as important as a wedding.  

Should You Include a Dress Code? 

Having a dress code can help set the tone for this momentous occasion and create a sense of togetherness for all of the guests. Stillwell says “the more the virtual guests can be in line with the live guests, it simply makes for a better party!”  

Read the rest of this great article at https://www.brides.com/virtual-wedding-reception-5090651 or read other awesome stuff at Bunn DJs in Raleigh, NC

Brides.com always has great wedding planning resources. And as we move more and more toward virtual and hybrid receptions, it’s great to see more and more guides about how to make it work. We’ve seen a lot of our Raleigh couples moving towards partial-virtual models, and it’s definitely an exciting trend in weddings and events.

Catherine and Phillip’s Perfect Wedding

[Originally at A Merrimon Wynne wedding for Catherine and Phillip by Randy Bennet]

For my first of 3 weddings this weekend I was at downtown Raleigh’s Merrimon Wynne house for Catherine and Phil‘s wedding on August 23rd.

The ceremony was held inside the carriage house and I ran a mic for their friend and officiant Dominic, as well as one for Phil and their readers.  I also ran all the music for the ceremony. As the 150 guests arrived I had a mix of classical music playing.  The Grandparents, Parents and wedding party entered to “Air On A G String”. Catherine and her Father entered to “Canon In D’.  After a short service and a few readings, they recessed to “Crazy Little Thing Called Love”.  Planner Kathy from Sally Oakley Events invited guests inside the house for the cocktail hour while the staff from Rocky Top Catering flipped the room for dinner.

After the room was set and pics were taken by Adrienne from F8 Photo Studiosand videographer Andrew Kennedy, the guests were invited back into the carriage house for the reception.  I left music playing and went to get Catherine and Phil ready for their introduction.  They came in to L.O.V.E. by Nat King Coleand had their first dance to it. Her Father welcomed everyone and 91 year old Grandfather blessed the meal. During dinner I had a mix of rock, classic soul and standards playing.

Read the rest at https://bunndjcompany.com/raleigh/a-merrimon-wynne-wedding-for-catherine-and-phillip/ or read more awesome stuff at https://bunndjcompany.com/faq/ 

Seems like this couple really had an extra special day. All the vendors and those participating came together to make the day truly unforgettable. 

Lauren and Spencer’s Wedding at Wet Broadslab Distillery

[Originally at A Wet Broadslab Distillery Wedding for Lauren and Spencer by Randy Bennett]

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They say that rain on your wedding day is good luck. Laurena and Spencer will have good luck for the rest of their lives together!!

The ceremony was held at Neills Creek Baptist Churchon August 24th.  After the ceremony, the 200 guests made their way over to the Broadslab Distillery Barn in Benson NC where I was for the reception.  It’s a beautiful Barn with a huge covered front porch with rocking chairs, patio on the side, stage inside and a small balcony looking down onto the room.

As the guests arrived I had a mix of rock and country with a couple bluegrass songs for Spencer playing outside on the porch.  Guests enjoyed visiting with each other, listening to music and having refreshments before planner Shanna and her helpers opened the doors for the reception.  The room looked beautiful with floral arrangements by Dragonfly Florist.  The guests took their seats and it was time for the introductions.  I introduced the wedding party to “Can’t Stop The Feeling” and Lauren and Spencer from the balcony to “How Sweet It Is”. They came down stairs and had their first dance to “My Heaven” by Trace Adkins.The Parent s dances followed and Lauren and her Father danced to “My Little Girl”.  Spencer escorted his Mother to the floor for their dance to “Don’t Blink” by Kenny Chesney.  Her Father, Randall, welcomed everyone and Reverend Chris blessed the Ron’s Barncatered barbecue meal. It was sooo good!!!!!! During dinner I had more rock and country playing.

Read more at https://bunndjcompany.com/raleigh/a-wet-broadslab-distillery-wedding-for-lauren-and-spencer/ or read more awesome stuff at https://bunndjcompany.com/celebrations/

This Wedding sounded like it was so fun. The background music can be just as important as the music you play while people are dancing. It sets the mood and gets people ready to party!

Cecile and Eddie’s Great Umstead Wedding

 [Originally at An Umstead Wedding for Cecile and Eddie by Randy Bennet]

Cecile and Eddie chose Cary’s Umstead Hotelto welcome their 50 guests from all over the world on August 25th.

The ceremony was held on the back lawn overlooking the pond and officiated by their friend from South Africa, Pastor William.  After the ceremony, the guests made their way to the back patio for mocktails and passed hors d’oeuvres.  The Umstead covered the music.

After pics were taken by Rob and Amy Allen Photography, the doors to the small ballroom opened and guests found their seats with help from planner Elizabeth from A Southern Soiree.  The room looked beautiful with my uplights and floral arrangements by Preston Flowers Cary. I left music playing and went to line the wedding party up for introductions.  I introduce the Groomsmen to “Ice Ice Baby” and Bridesmaids to “Man, I Feel Like A Woman”. The Ladies were having a blast dancing to it, so I let it roll for a minute or so.  They took their seats and I introduced Cecile and Eddie to “Marry You” by Bruno Mars. They welcomed everyone and Pastor William blessed the 3-course meal.  The soup, salads and entrees came out and I played a mix of country & 80’s soft rock during dinner. 

Read the rest at https://bunndjcompany.com/raleigh/an-umstead-wedding-for-cecile-and-eddie/ or read more awesome stuff at https://bunndjcompany.com/school-dance/ 

Sounds like this couple truly had a night that reflected how much hard work they put into planning it. Planning can be stressful at times but it always pays off once the wedding kicks off. 

A Great Raleigh Wedding: Great Food, Great Music, Great Venue

One of Our Favorite Wedding Venues A Sutherland Reception We’ve been in the Raleigh wedding DJ business a long time. Though we’ve expanded, Raleigh is still in many ways our home base. It’ll always be where we really got our start and made a name for ourselves. On top of that, it has some of [...]

A Couple’s Perfect Wedding At Merrimon Wynne

 [Originally at A Merrimon Wynne Wedding for Kayla and Gabe by Randy Bennet]

When I met Gabe in October last year I just knew there was going to be an epic dance party for his wedding at Merrimon Wynneon August 31st!!

Their ceremony was held on the side lawn and officiated over by Gabe’s Brother Ben.  He did an amazing job, especially since this was his first wedding.  As the 150 guests arrived I had some light classical music playing.  The Grandparents thru the wedding party entered to an instrumental of “A Thousand Years”.  Kayla and her Father entered to Wagner’s “Here Comes The Bride”.  After a short service they recessed to “Signed, Sealed, Delivered” and Ben invited everyone into the house for cocktails and passed hors d’oeuvres by Donovan’s Dish.  During the cocktail hour they had a playlist Gabe had made playing.

Read the rest at https://bunndjcompany.com/raleigh/a-merrimon-wynne-wedding-for-kayla-and-gabe/ or read more awesome stuff at https://bunndjcompany.com/corporate/

Having a great DJ that can really gauge the crowd is the best. There is truly no better way to ensure that your guests have an amazing time than picking a DJ that really knows their stuff. 

Brooke’s Perfect Wedding Day

 [Originally a A Fun Wedding Weekend With Brooke and Ryan by Randy Bennett]

I didn’t realize until closer to the wedding (and neither did they) that both Ryan and his Mother had separately hired me from venue referrals for both the rehearsal dinner and wedding on September 6thand 7th.  I knew I didn’t want to duplicate anything from night to night for this wonderful couple & their guests. Challenge accepted!

Brooke and Ryan’s rehearsal dinner was held on Friday at The Angus Barn Pavilionfor 100 people.  As the guests arrived I had a mix of soft rock, classic soul, standards and a few country songs playing. They enjoyed visiting, cornhole on the back patio, passed hors d’oeuvres and the veggie and cheese display.  What do they do to that cheese to make it so good???

After the cocktail hour I invited them to take their seats for dinner.  His Father, Dave welcomed everyone and Pastor Nathan blessed the meal. The salads and entrees came out and I continued the same music mix as cocktails.  After dinner we had a shoe game and 6 toasts while guests enjoyed champagne and dessert.  Instead of opening the dance floor (that was holding over until Saturday) I played a mix of sing a long “Beachy/Yacht Rock” songs like “Build me Up Buttercup”, “Dancing In The Moonlight” and “Still The One” for guests to visit more before heading out.

Saturday- Wedding Day!!!!

I arrived at The Historic Wakefield Barnsuper early to set up for the ceremony and hang out with my fellow vendor friends. Shelley from Expressions Of Love Floristwas getting the ceremony site on the 2ndfloor ready. Photographer Nancy Raywas taking pics of Brooke, Ryan and wedding party separately around the property with videographers Chris & Toni from Heart Stone Filmsand Steph from Southern Oak Eventswas making sure everything was perfect.

As the 200 guests arrived for the ceremony they were treated to live music by a quartet from Arioso Strings. I ran a mic for Pastor Nathan as well as a hand held mic for a reader.  After the ceremony they were invited to the 1st floor barn stables for cocktails and more music by Arioso Strings while the staff flipped the 2nd floor for dinner and dancing.

Read the rest at https://bunndjcompany.com/about/ or read more awesome stuff at https://bunndjcompany.com/photo-booth/

 Playing games at a wedding can be one of the best ways to get guests involved. Anything that can get people out of their seats and involved in the wedding is a sure way to leave a lasting impression.