Weddings streamed live to internet

Tue Sep 28th 2010

T

TODAY'S brides are breaking all the rules and industry veteran Mick Bentham couldn't be happier about it.

As hundreds of brides-to-be flocked to the It's My Wedding Expo in Maroochydore yesterday, the Ideal Bride director said young women were turning their back on traditional customs and becoming ever more creative with gown designs.

But when it comes to technology, this generation has revolutionised every aspect of a wedding.

“In the last eight years, the industry has changed dramatically to cater for the fast-paced nature of young brides,” he said.

Mr Bentham said brides ditched the cars and let their fingers do the walking by searching for major goods and services online.

“They often glean enough information from magazines and online posts to know what to ask providers and often play them off against one another to get the best deal possible, which keeps us all on our toes,” he said.

“Videographers edit to include special effects and music and photographers are using state-of-the-art cameras with built-in video as well. Who knows where it is going to end?”

Mr Bentham recently launched Ideal Live TV, which allows couples with international relatives unable to afford the costly trip for the wedding to watch the ceremony live on the internet.

Armed with a unique username and password, any number of people can watch the proceedings streamed live and held online for up to 48 hours if time zones clash.

“These young brides are breaking all of the rules and there has never been a more exciting time to be in the industry,” Mr Bentham said.

“Just imagine when the young women in high school now, who are even more tech-savvy, become brides.”

Event organiser Dee Collins said expos still played an important role in planning the big day.

“With so many wedding and honeymoon specialists on hand to guide them with tips and advice, brides leave feeling excited, educated and prepared for turning their wedding dreams into reality,” she said.