Web 2.0 is the idea that every experience online can be interactive. It can be real time. It can be a collaborative online party that everyone can be a part of. Now we can take advantage of the ubiquitous camera phones, social media networks, QR codes and so many other things I bet you haven't thought of yet, so I'm going to name a few favorites of mine on how to bring the timelessness of your wedding day to the digital frontier.
1) Don't have time to write long blog entries about all the wedding plans as they come up or weed through page long emails from Aunt Greta who really just wants to know if she can get her wheelchair down the grass at your location? Microblog it! Set up a Twitter feed for the wedding and make sure to use hashtags like #Rehearsaldinnerfun or #Dayofphotos so your friends can see tantalizing previews of the big day, ask their questions (keeping it to 140 characters or less) and upload their photos of the events leading up to and including the day, all in one convenient place so you can ditch the disposable cameras that usually get abducted by the kids or the drunken fraternity brother who then proceeds to take 18 pictures of his butt. Also, don't be afraid to start engaging your guests to get them as excited as you are for the big day: ask for song suggestions for the reception, poll how many vegetarians you have coming to the party, where should the rehearsal dinner be... They'll feel so touched that you asked for them to participate!
If you like the idea of guests being able to upload the photos and make comments, but want something that allows them to say more than a tweet, look into an app. One of the new ones out there I love is WeddingSnap. It allows for you to create a custom page for each event involved with your wedding, which guests will download to be able to comment and post pics in a central spot, no tagging or Facebook constantly changing privacy rules to worry about. They even include in the package a cute welcome card to give your guests (perfect to hand out with programs or leave in a stack next to the guest book at the reception) that will direct the guests how to load it and start sharing. The album stays up for one year after your wedding date and gives you control over who can access it. With the biggest package (still less than $200 bucks) you can even live stream photos as a slideshow during the cocktail hour, especially cool if you have a friend at your photo shoot that can take pictures of the process and upload-- your guests can see the photos as they sip champagne waiting for your entrance!
2) You know when you have to travel to a wedding and in the hotel room there is a massive folder on your bed with a welcome note and breakdown of the plans for the wedding, along with every brochure from the concierge listing things to do in the area? DITCH IT! Now you can go digital and use miWedding to get guests all the information they need! You can post the agenda for the weekend including who needs to be where when and they can automatically link to their GPS for directions. Instead of the folder in their welcome bags, just have one small note with directions to access your events for the weekend and it's going to cost a whopping $20 bucks for everyone of your guests to access!
3)There are some great online registry programs, things like universalregistry.com. But in case you are more of a tactile person and want to pick out your sheets and towels in person, but still don't want to commit to one or two stores? Try Wedding Scan, an app that allows you to snap the barcode of any item in any store and add it to your central registry! Also, for the less patient ones out there, you can set it to notify you whenever an item is purchased of the registry. I would just recommend removing that function about two weeks out or your phone is going to explode.
4) QR codes are the new thing, and I'm a big believer. In case you aren't familiar, they are the square barcode looking things being put everywhere to be scanned from your smartphone (requires any of a million QR scanner apps) and direct you to a website's landing page. Instead of sending out all those RSVP cards with pre-paid postage, go green and include a small note with your invitation directing your guests to scan the code and RSVP on your site. You'll still have to send RSVP cards to the older ludites on your guest list, but should still save you some last minute phone calls wondering why your brother hasn't RSVPd yet (I don't know, I put it in the mail weeks ago). Generate a QR code for free by just plugging in the website for RSVPs on a generator page like this.
There are so many ideas to choose from, I just picked my four favorites but let me know how you worked 2.0 into your wedding! And one last tidbit: Tweeting during the wedding is not funny... if you really must have your relationship status changed the moment you say "I Do", give your phone to a friend in the audience and ask them to do so (you wouldn't believe how often I'm asked about this). Nothing would be more awkward than seeing a bride with her smart phone at the altar while the groom patiently awaits his kiss.
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