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5 Tips for Choosing the Best Online Wedding Service

February 10, 2023
5 min

Congratulations on your upcoming wedding! Planning a wedding can be an exciting, yet stressful journey. With so many options available online, it can be overwhelming to choose the right online wedding service for your needs. 

Getting married online quickly is a growing trend for couples who want to tie the knot without the hassle of a traditional wedding. With the advancements in technology and the rise of virtual events, couples can now tie the knot in the comfort of their own home or a location of their choice. Whether you're looking for a simple and intimate event or a grand and elaborate celebration, an online wedding can provide you with a convenient and stress-free way to start your new life together.

What does an Online Wedding Service do?

With the increasing reliance on technology in the modern world, many have found the need to utilize online marriage services. These services provide couples with a convenient way to start a family without having to rely on traditional, expensive methods. There are a variety of services available, with each offering different features that may be more beneficial to a specific couple. 

In general, there are two types of online wedding services: one that assists you with streaming your wedding; and the other which allows you to do the entire legal marriage process online. Many legal wedding services also give you the option to livestream the wedding so all your family and friends can attend. A fully-virtual marriage is perfect for couples who have difficulty meeting due to long distances or other reasons. 

Streaming a wedding online has become increasingly popular in recent years, especially with the rise of remote work and social distancing measures due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Sites and live streaming apps like Lovecast and Eventlive might offer services to record your big day, but they don’t assist with the entire marriage process. Other services like Courtly and MarryfromHome actually allow you to get legally married completely online, from the Marriage License, to the Officiation, and finally the Ceremony.

couple looking at laptop

How to Pick the Best Online Wedding Service for You

For those looking to wed online, read on to learn five tips for how to pick the best online wedding service for your needs. 

1. Make a list of what you’re looking for

Make a list of what your expectations are. Are you looking for a big online wedding with bells and whistles or are you just looking to  get married quickly and easily? Would you like a courthouse wedding or would an online wedding at the comfort of your own home suffice? It’s also good to remember that if you do consider an online wedding that you invest in good equipment, plan the logistics, invite your guests, test the setup, and don’t forget to have a back up plan. 

2. Ask friends and family

Due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, many couples have had to opt for online marriage ceremonies instead of the traditional, physical ceremonies. Online marriage ceremonies offer a much safer and more convenient option for couples looking to tie the knot. They save couples the hassle of having to plan a large gathering and worry about getting sick, as they can take place in a private virtual environment.

Furthermore, couples can invite their friends and family to celebrate their special day without having to worry about them having to travel. Online weddings also provide an opportunity for couples to have a more meaningful and intimate ceremony, as they can tailor the ceremony to their individual needs and preferences. This can include personal readings, music, or decorations that make the ceremony more meaningful.

You’d be surprised how many of your friends and family have opted for an online wedding, especially due to the pandemic! 

3. Check what they include in their price

Planning a wedding is an exciting and sometimes overwhelming process. To ensure the best outcome, it's important to research all the options and determine what is included in the price. Do they offer live streaming, handle the paperwork, and ensure the legal aspects are taken care of?

Consider the various services available and find one that includes the features and tools you need, such as a budget calculator, wedding checklist, and more. Make sure the price matches your budget and that you are getting the best value for your money. With the right research, you can find the perfect service for a stress-free wedding and see that Courtly could be the best fit for you and your loved one.

4. Check their verified reviews

Check customer reviews to get an idea of the customer service you can expect. It's important to make sure the online wedding service has a good reputation and is responsive to customer needs. Reviews provide valuable insight into the company's reputation and how effective their products and services are. 

However, not all reviews should be treated equally. Some sites use bots to generate fake reviews on apps like Google and Facebook, which don’t have many filters in place. Think twice before accepting reviews that are on those sites, or even on the company's website.

When checking out the quality of a service, seek out a trustworthy review source. For example, Trustpilot applies a rigorous filtering process when it receives reviews. This ensures that every review on their site is highly likely to be true and verified.

5. Use a legal online marriage service instead

Typically, a traditional wedding can average $25,000, this price tag and the stress of planning has made couples begin looking for alternatives. Legal online weddings, on the other hand, are relatively new and have become more popular in recent years due to the advent of technology and the COVID-19 pandemic. 

These weddings are conducted completely over the internet and can be done from the comfort of one's own home. The couple, witnesses, and a celebrant all attend virtually. Some services like Courtly also handle the paperwork and organization for you. This type of wedding is more casual and less formal, with the emphasis on convenience and accessibility. Overall, online weddings are less expensive, more accessible, and offer a more relaxed atmosphere. 

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The choice between a traditional or an online wedding depends on personal preference, budget, and the type of ceremony you want to have. Research different options and compare services, prices, and reviews to find the service that’s right for you. Whether you choose a traditional wedding or an online one, the most important thing is that the wedding celebrates the love and commitment of the couple.

Let us handle the paperwork.

Getting married is complicated. Courtly simplifies the process and provides everything necessary to get married online, including providing a licensed officiant who can perform a remote ceremony.

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