MAKING VOWS IN A VIRTUAL WORLD
LOOKING down the aisle to see your future husband or wife, surrounded by loved ones, is one of the most special moments in any couple’s life. But for Cardiff pair Martin Shervington, 44, and Elise Evans, 46, things were a little different.
Their wedding day took place in a futuristic nightclub full of emojis under red skies – but none of their guests were actually at the venue!
The happy couple wore virtual reality (VR) headsets to tie the knot in Butetown, Cardiff, on May 25, after meeting just over a year ago.
Not only were they surrounded by close family and friends, but hundreds of others logged in from around the world to watch.
Martin, a business consultant from Newport, said: “It all went fantastic. We had around 40 friends and family there all together and we were married in Sunflower&I on Mount Stuart Square.
“The virtual reality aspect was livestreamed, and around 300 people from around the world watched it.
“The ceremony was really very personal, actually.”
Martin and Elise were transformed into two avatars, as were the guests, who took part in a touching presenta- tion that detailed how the pair met and was officiated by another avatar 5,000 miles away in San Francisco.
Martin said: “We wanted to get married in a location that mattered to us both, so worked with our local florist café and bar Sunflower&I to become a wedding venue.
“Then, the virtual ceremony, with headsets on, was experienced in this space – just across the road from my apartment, where everyone was watching.
“Once that ceremony was finished, we reconnected and brought everyone to the venue for stage two.”
Stage two was the “in real life” ceremony, which featured the same readings and the same music.
Martin said: “We have the memory of getting married in parallel, virtual and real world.
“Not everything was easy in the VR part, like the kiss, but in real life we were fine.
“Then again, we didn’t get to see a sea of heart emojis from the guests in the real world, but there were a lot of smiles.”
Although the idea of a VR wedding is still a novelty, Martin said the cerespaceVR, a virmony went ahead without a hitch and tual reality app he wouldn’t change anything. company based d
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After moving back to Wales in June would love to bee the pair were engaged by December. involved in the e Once set on the idea of a VR project. wedding, the couple Martin said:d: approached Alt“We didn’t have ve any delays, andnd were marrieded within a year of meeting each other.
“As Elisa says, ‘When you know it’s right, it is right.’”
After the ceremony the wedding party headed to the Mischiefs bar nearby, where they had booked Welsh rap group Goldie Lookin Chain Chain.
Martin said: “It was great fun having them perform for us. It was such a laugh.
“The hilarity of them performing ‘Your Missus is a Nutter’ was brilliant.”