You’ve found that special someone. You adore spending time together. You’re perfectly matched and you want to let them know that this is it. You want to be with them, and only them, for the rest of your lives. But how to show them? How to make it clear that they are the only one for you? Well, sounds like there’s a question that needs to be popped. “Will you marry me?”
Weddings are big business in Second Life, in much the same way as real life. But since rl weddings can be one of the most stressful and complicated things to prepare and go through, what makes SL residents go through all that in their virtual lives? To find out a little more, I spoke to Alisha Appin, the lady behind “Love Story Weddings” (Click here to visit), a wedding provider with over a years inworld experience, that organises and hosts many weddings and receptions, using either one of their fantastically built wedding areas, or if needs must, giving a full customised wedding service for your special day. I sat down with her to find out a little more about the SL wedding experience, and why people do it in the first place.
Weddings are big business in Second Life, in much the same way as real life. But since rl weddings can be one of the most stressful and complicated things to prepare and go through, what makes SL residents go through all that in their virtual lives? To find out a little more, I spoke to Alisha Appin, the lady behind “Love Story Weddings” (Click here to visit), a wedding provider with over a years inworld experience, that organises and hosts many weddings and receptions, using either one of their fantastically built wedding areas, or if needs must, giving a full customised wedding service for your special day. I sat down with her to find out a little more about the SL wedding experience, and why people do it in the first place.
Voodoo: How long have you been organising weddings in SL?
Alisha Appin: In Secondlife, about a year now
Voodoo: Do you deal with weddings in real life too?
Alisha Appin: I do planning for friends and family mostly in rl about 4 years working with that in my free time.
Voodoo: Is that what inspired you to become a virtual wedding planner?
Alisha Appin: It’s funny, a guess you could consider that to be my inspiration but really I was looking for a time consuming job. I’m a workaholic. I started working for Love Story about 6 months ago and I bought the company from the original owners July 1st.
Voodoo: And you've had a lot of success with it?
Alisha Appin: We’re trying lol. We’ve been number one in the places search for weddings a few times this week
Voodoo: So, what do you think makes Weddings such a popular thing in Second Life? After all, with the partner system, there is already a way of showing your commitment. Why do people still go for all the pomp and ceremony?
Alisha Appin: Most of my clients are people engaged or already married in real life celebrating anniversaries etc. I did a wedding last week for a couple. He was in Iraq and she was at home and it was suppose to be their rl wedding date but he couldn’t go home for it. They used voice etc. I promise not a dry eye in the chapel
Voodoo: So, it's kind of a real life wedding substitute?
Alisha Appin: I would say at least for 90 % of my clients yes for about the other 10% i would say because its cheap and easy. For 5 real dollars you can be married and hey if you don’t like them the next day pick another one and try again lol
Voodoo: Obviously, Second life is a place with a lot of unusual subcultures. Do you get many requests for specifically Gor or Vampire or Furry weddings?
Alisha Appin: I’ve only done a few furry weddings, but vampire and goth is a weekly theme around here and we have the occasional Neko couple etc
Voodoo: Do they have any particular special wedding needs that provide a particular challenge?
Alisha Appin: Not really, I tell my clients "you want it you get it" so if i cant do it ill find someone that can. But nothing really out of the ordinary. I’ve had to build blood rivers and cake shooting blood etc. We did a milk fountain for a Neko wedding things like that.
Voodoo: Is there any advice you would give to any of our readers thinking about getting hitched?
Alisha Appin: If your going into book a wedding make sure you have personal items picked. Wedding colors, the date you’re wanting, a time that’s good for you and your fiancée. Those are most important. Anything other than that, throw at me. I love a challange
Voodoo: So, even virtual weddings need a fair bit of planning?
Alisha Appin: I can have a wedding ready in 5 minutes but I prefer about a week or two. A lot of people ask how long do I need in advance and really that’s up to the couple as long as the date and time is available.
Voodoo: So, it's as complicated as the bride and groom want it to be?
Alisha Appin: Yes, it can be as simple and close-knit as they want it or as big and elaborate as they want. I’m working with a couple that has already been 2 months in planning and we’re looking at least another month or two. Having everything custom made from manicures and pedicures to hair, clothes, flowers etc
Voodoo: Well, thank you for giving us a looking into the world of Second life matrimony.
