Etiquette Guide
Wedding Livestream Invitation Wording
To invite guests to a wedding livestream, include four things: the date and start time with a time zone, the link (hosted on your wedding website, not the paper invite), a note to join a few minutes early, and whether a recording will be available afterward. The copy-paste templates below cover every format — formal insert cards, wedding websites, emails, and day-of texts.
Copy-paste wording templates
Formal invitation insert card
A small enclosure card mailed with the paper invitation. Keep it to two or three lines — the link details can live on your wedding website.
Unable to join us in person?
Our ceremony will be streamed live so you can celebrate with us from anywhere.
Visit ourweddingsite.com/watch for the link and details.
Formal insert — virtual-only guests
For guests invited to watch the livestream but not attend in person. The wording makes the virtual invitation feel intentional, not like a consolation prize.
Though miles will separate us on our wedding day,
we would be honored to have you witness our ceremony live.
Please join us virtually on Saturday, the twelfth of September at four o’clock.
Streaming details at ourweddingsite.com/watch
Wedding website announcement
A short section on your wedding website. Include the platform, the start time with time zone, and when the stream actually begins relative to the ceremony.
Can’t make it in person? We’ll be streaming the ceremony live!
The stream begins at 3:45 PM Eastern on Saturday, September 12 — about 15 minutes before the processional.
Just click the link below a few minutes early. No account or app needed — it works on any phone, tablet, or computer.
A recording will be available at the same link afterward if you miss the live moment.
Email to far-away family and friends
A warmer, personal note for the guests who most wish they could be there — grandparents, overseas relatives, friends who can’t travel.
Dear [Name],
We wish more than anything you could be with us on our wedding day — and in a way, you can be. Our ceremony will be streamed live, and it would mean the world to see your name among the guests watching.
Here’s everything you need: [link]. The stream starts at 3:45 PM Eastern on September 12. Just open the link on any phone or computer — nothing to install.
If the time doesn’t work where you are, the same link will have the full recording afterward.
With all our love, [Names]
Day-of reminder text
Send this the morning of the wedding (or have a designated helper send it). Short, with the link right in the message.
Today’s the day! 💍 We’re streaming the ceremony live at 3:45 PM ET — watch here: [link]. Join a few minutes early. Can’t wait to celebrate with you!
Social media / group chat announcement
For a wider circle when you’re comfortable sharing openly. If you want the stream private, skip public posts and share the link by email or text instead.
We’re getting married on September 12 — and everyone is invited to watch! 🎉 The ceremony streams live at 3:45 PM ET. Link in our bio / pinned in this chat. Tune in and celebrate with us from wherever you are.
Five rules for livestream invitations
- 1
Always name the time zone
The whole point of a livestream is guests who aren’t local. “4:00 PM” means four different things across the U.S. alone — write “4:00 PM Eastern” every time, and consider adding a second zone for a cluster of overseas guests.
- 2
Tell guests when the stream starts, not just the ceremony
Most professional streams go live 10–15 minutes before the processional. Telling guests to join early means nobody clicks the link at 4:00 sharp and panics that it isn’t working.
- 3
Put the link on your wedding website, not the paper invite
Streaming links are long, ugly, and occasionally change. Print your wedding website on the insert card and keep the actual link there — you can update it any time without reprinting anything.
- 4
Say whether a recording will be available
For guests in distant time zones, a 4 PM Eastern ceremony may be the middle of the night. One line — “a recording will be available at the same link” — takes the pressure off.
- 5
Mention that no app or account is needed
Older relatives are often the most important virtual guests and the most nervous about technology. If your stream works in a plain web browser (most professional streams do), say so explicitly.
Still arranging the stream itself? Start with how to live stream a wedding for the setup, and the questions to ask a vendor before you book one.
Haven’t booked the stream yet?
Find a professional wedding live streaming vendor near you — free to search, free to contact.
Browse VendorsFrequently asked questions
Is it okay to invite some guests to only the livestream?+
Yes — virtual-only invitations are now a normal and well-understood part of wedding planning, especially for large extended families, overseas relatives, and coworkers. The key is wording that makes the virtual invitation feel intentional and warm rather than like a downgrade. Send it with the same care as a physical invitation.
Should the livestream link go on the paper invitation?+
Generally no. Streaming links are long and can change if your vendor adjusts the setup. Print your wedding website address on an insert card and host the link there — you can update the website any time without reprinting invitations.
When should I send the livestream details?+
Put the announcement on your wedding website as soon as the stream is arranged, then send the direct link about one week before the wedding, with a reminder text or email the morning of. Day-of reminders dramatically increase how many invited guests actually tune in.
How do I keep the livestream private?+
Ask your vendor for an unlisted or password-protected stream, share the link only by email or text (not public social media), and skip posting it on open websites. Most professional wedding streaming vendors offer private, unlisted streams by default — it’s a good question to ask before booking.
Do virtual guests send gifts?+
Many do, though it’s never required. If you have a registry, include the link wherever the streaming details live (usually your wedding website) so virtual guests who want to send something can find it easily.