There are many benefits of getting married in the metaverse. Should you do it? Read on!
Imagine this: you arrive at your space wedding on a unicorn while your partner, dressed in the choicest couture, waits at the altar, wielding a sword and rocking Khal Drogo’s built. You get married, you kiss, you dance, and then you shift your wedding party to Spain because, well, why not? Finally, you conclude your wedding by hosting a dance party on Mars with Elon Musk and the Queen in attendance. This may sound like a fever dream or fantasy, but it is possible with the metaverse (without the Queen perhaps).
In 2021, the world witnessed its first metaverse wedding, where Traci and Dave Gagnon tied the knot. Their real-life and virtual wedding took place at the same time. When they kissed, their virtual avatars did, too. From their outfits to their behaviors, everything was replicated in the metaverse. Their nuptials were an ode to how they met during a virtual office event in 2015.
Metaverse weddings might not be legitimate, but they are in great demand right now. For instance, the owner of Just Maui Weddings in Hawaii, Klaus Bandisch, launched a metaverse wedding package in February 2022 and already has 72 people on his waitlist. Here’s a closer look at metaverse weddings and whether they’re worth it.
What are metaverse weddings?
Simply put, metaverse weddings are weddings that take place in a digital world, comprising a blend of virtual and augmented reality. In February this year, South-Indian couple Dinesh Padmavathi and Janaganandhini Ramaswamy hosted India’s first metaverse wedding reception. And they went all out. Adopting a Harry Potter theme, the couple utilized non-fungible tokens (NFTs) as favors and even revived the bride’s late father virtually by way of setting up his avatar.
Over the past year, the metaverse has boomed. Renowned brands, including Gucci and Nike, have set up shop in the virtual universe. Companies are beginning to imagine a world where work happens in the metaverse. It’s set to cement itself as the new way of life in the years to come. And weddings are an integral part of it.
But why would you want to get married in the metaverse?
It might sound weird to just “log into” your wedding day, put on a pair of headsets and watch your avatars be pronounced a married couple. However, there can be many perks to a metaverse wedding:
1. Unparalleled accessibility
As long as your guests have internet access, you can take them to space, to a certain period in history or even to multiple countries on the same day. The Founder of a digital wedding planning company Allseated, Sandy Hammer, illustrates, “A bride can transport her guests into the metaverse: ‘I want my morning session to be in Italy, my evening session to be in Paris.’”
The metaverse allows you to realize your dream wedding destination to the fullest. Whether it is the Plaza Hotel in New York or the moon, there’s no limit. Not only can you go to any corner of the universe, but you can also design it to reflect your needs.
2. No bar on themes, outfits, menu, etc
Dress as your favorite television show characters, aliens, band members or in sought-after luxury brands. In fact, Designer Elie Saab recently displayed some noteworthy couture during the Metaverse Fashion Week in Decentraland in March. There’s no bar on the wedding theme either. If you want to host a Harry Potter-themed wedding, you can get objects to levitate, food to appear magically à la Hogwarts dining hall and perhaps even revive Dumbledore to give your wedding toast.
3. No guest limit
Owing to Covid-19, people had to cut people from their guest lists. Government mandates and general concern for personal health urged people in the direction of intimate weddings. In the metaverse, you don’t need to worry about a pandemic, the weather or any natural disasters. You can invite as many people as you want, even thousands. From your distant aunt to your favorite barista—there’s room for everyone.
4. Complete creative freedom
Often, you have a grand vision for your wedding; petals falling from the sky, the groom arriving on a magic carpet and the like. Of course, realizing it is no easy feat and, well, somewhat impossible—but not in the metaverse! You can incorporate a range of personal touches and unleash your creativity fully.
5. NFTs as party favors
At the end, you want to leave your guests with something to remember the wedding by. What better than an NFT as a literal “token” of your appreciation? Create your own NFTs and distribute them to the wedding party. Since the tokens are affiliated with the blockchain, they will never get lost and will remain unique forever.
6. Marriages without discrimination
Rebecca Hurley, who recently got married in the metaverse, feels that the virtual platform allows couples to celebrate love in its purest form. She expounds, “Blockchain marriage gives individuals the power to declare and record a loving commitment without the need for state, religious, or any other authority.” According to her, the blockchain cannot be censored and doesn’t require anyone’s permission, which is what makes it so covetable.
How much does a metaverse wedding cost?
It depends. If you want to go all the way with customization, you will need to pay more. However, if you want to keep it simple and do the bare minimum, it will cost you less. For instance, the Gagnons’ wedding cost US$30,000. It could’ve cost US$10,000 less had they pared back on the customization. The packages offered by Bandisch range between US$750 and US$1,500 only. Hosting a metaverse wedding has the potential to be extremely pocket-friendly—much more than a real-life wedding.
Is a metaverse wedding legal?
Not yet. While you can receive an NFT marriage certificate, it is not really recognized in the real world. Metaverse weddings are not legal, but they can definitely be a fun experience. Many couples now crave a hybrid experience anyway. They want the best of both worlds, with an in-person wedding and virtual functions.
That said, traditional weddings still reign supreme when it comes to sentimental value. Virtual wedding events simply can’t replicate that. Gagnon shares, “The metaverse will never replace the intimacy of being with the sweet, beautiful and kind soul that you want to spend your life with.” We concur.
Header Image by Unsplash
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