^WEDDINGABLE

︎ Make Every Wedding Possible ︎

ROLE

Product Designer

PROJECT

Service Design

TIMELINE

3 months (2022)

PLATFORM

Figma / Sketch
Adobe

︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎

PROJECT OVERVIEW

^{Weddingable is an innovative digital platform created in response to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021.

It enables couples to host virtual weddings, making ceremonies accessible and inclusive, regardless of financial or geographical limitations etc.

This service focuses on connecting loved ones and celebrating marriage in a new, technology-driven way, ensuring that no couple misses out on the joy and communal spirit of their wedding day.}

DEFINE PROBLEM

^{In 2021, amidst the shadows of the COVID-19 pandemic, countless couples faced a heart-wrenching reality :}

“A day that should have been the happiest in their lives, surrounded by the warmth of friends and family, became mired in Uncertainty and Restriction”

^{The pandemic's cruel reach extended into the realm of these intimate celebrations, transforming dream weddings into Logistical and Emotional Challenges. It was a time when the joyous echoes of 'I do's' risked being silenced by the overwhelming presence of isolation and economic hardship.}

RESEARCH

01) Data Research

^{In the tapestry of life, the way people perceive and cherish weddings stands as a vivid thread, rich in color and significance. At the heart of this phenomenon lies a deep-seated reverence for 'Sense of Ritual,' a concept far more expansive than the confines of a wedding ceremony. This reverence for ritual is not just manifested in grand events like marriages; it also extends its gentle touch to the finer aspects of everyday life.

Through the lens of various databases and insights gleaned from scholarly literature from online, one can trace a pattern: people inherently seek out these moments of ritual in life. Be it a wedding, purchasing a new car, or moving into a new home, these milestones often command a celebration, sometimes even a lavish one, underscoring their pivotal role in our existence.

Another strand in this narrative is the substantial number of couples tying the knot in the United States in 2021. The wedding industry burgeons with each passing year, sprouting new businesses and opportunities. Amidst this evolution, a novel concept emerges - the 'online wedding.' This new mode of celebration carves its place in the public consciousness, adapting the age-old ritual of marriage to the Digital era's demands."}

02) INTERVIEWS

^{In pursuit of a deeper understanding, one that transcended the cold facts and figures of academic research, I embarked on a journey of discovery. It was a quest to capture the true essence of how the young hearts of our time envision their future weddings. With the digital world as my canvas, I reached out into the vast expanse of the internet, searching for voices that would paint a vivid picture of these dreams and aspirations.}

^{I found three unique souls, each from a different walk of life, yet all united in the shared age bracket of 20 to 30 years old. Through the lens of virtual interviews, I dove into their worlds, seeking to understand their perspectives, their hopes, and their visions for that one special day in their lives.}

_{Tina

Joe

Shan

^{Value of Ritual: "I think the sense of ritual is really important to me."
Personal Preferences: "I think everyone has their way for the wedding and it depends."
Advantages of Online Weddings: "The most thing I came across is the cost is not that expensive, the waste problems can be solved and everyone can come to the wedding without the limitations for time and space."
Openness to Online Weddings: "Thus, I will accept it and would be looking forward to it."}
^{Importance of Ritual: "Sense of ritual is the most important thing for me as it is the way that brings me happiness and I love to pay attention and money to celebrate it."
Flexibility on Format: "I don’t care a lot about the format to hold my wedding as long as everyone is happy."
Perception of Online Weddings: "I haven’t heard about online weddings and I think the advantage is people can come from all over the world to see me and it costs less."
Financial Consideration: "Since I might just work for a few years and don’t have much money for it."
Concern About Participation: "It might also be lack of sense of participation."}
^{Value of Memories: "I will pay money and put my energy into it since I like the memories it made especially after a few years when I memorize them."
Preference for Lively Celebrations: "I personally like the wedding which is very lively and crowds of people celebrate for me."
Concerns about Wedding Style and Cost: "I care a lot about the wedding style for the wedding and also the cost."
Online Weddings During COVID-19: "It is a good way to have the online wedding under COVID-19 since it is safe for everyone."
Worries about Guest Involvement: "I might worry that people cannot feel fully involved."}}
03) PAIN POINTS

^{I also conducted online surveys and found that people shared some common worries about their future weddings. These concerns primarily revolve around the following aspects:}

The TIME for the wedding is not suitable for everyone who got invited

The weddings held nowadays are pretty EXPENSIVE for the marrying couple who might just start their career life

The unused or throw away of wedding foods, decorations, etc. are a huge WASTE of resources and it will also cause ecological problems

Some rituals for a wedding might cause SAFETY ISSUES like some people might behave badly in the wedding and the wedding will be in a chaos

The wedding process stpes sometimes can only be chose from a LIMITED range of wedding process and cannot be DIY

The process to prepare for a wedding takes people lots of time since they need to pay ATTENTION to the preparation process

04) Competitor Anylsis

^{To gain a broader understanding of weddings, I also researched various mediums for holding weddings from in-person to online and analyzed their respective strengths and weaknesses：}

DESIGN SOLUTION

To develop an intuitive and inclusive online wedding platform that combines the traditional spirit of weddings with the practicality and accessibility of digital technology, catering to the diverse needs and preferences of modern couples in the pandemic of COVID-19 period.

_{Design Concept:}

_{Virtual Weddings Made Easy: Simplify hosting weddings online.}
_{Everyone's Invited: Make weddings accessible to all.}
_{Fun for Guests: Keep guests actively involved.}
_{Feel the Love: Keep the wedding's emotional touch.}
_{Your Wedding, Your Way: Customize your virtual wedding.}
_{Smooth and Easy: Reliable and user-friendly app.}
_{Save Money, Help Earth: Budget-friendly and eco-conscious choices.}
_{Gifts of Joy: Send love through the app's online store."}
_{Helping Hand: Easy-to-use guidance and support}

︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎

︎︎︎

^{Offline weddings are costly and often result in material waste at the venue, making them less environmentally friendly}

︎︎︎

^{Developing a systematic online wedding platform eliminates the need for expensive physical venues, material waste, and is more environmentally friendly}

︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎

^{︎︎︎}^{Pandemic challenges for offline weddings; lack of systematization for online alternatives like Zoom weddings}

^{︎︎︎

Develop an online wedding platform that systematizes and simplifies the planning process}

^{^{01) USER JOURNEY}}

^{In the early stages of ideation for the systematization of the platform, standing in the user's shoes and simulating the user's journey through their wedding is essential. From before the wedding, during the ceremony, to after it ends, this process allows me to identify and develop functions that can be improved and expanded}

^{^{02) BLUEPRINT}}

^{︎Based on these Three time points, I can simulate the app's blueprint and the involvement of backend technical staff, along with the actions they need to undertake:

︎before the wedding

︎during the wedding

︎after the wedding ︎}
^{︎Weddingable is consists of}^{Two types of user clients:

︎MOBILE client for wedding guests

︎Operating System client for marrying couples ︎

︎In Operating System client, Four main functions are being presented based on the user needs which are:

︎Wedding Design}^{︎Online Wedding

︎Me Setting,

︎Online Store

Marrying couples can purchase gifts for guests from online stores and also design their wedding ceremony from Wedding design. The guests can also use the APP to purchase gifts and attend the wedding through an Online wedding. ︎}

^{^{03) AFFINITY DIAGRAM}}

^{Starting from the four main functions and delving deeper into them, here is an analysis of more specific user behaviors and the required functionalities.}

^{^{04) PROTOTYPE FOR THE LOW-FIDELITY}}

︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎

^{^{︎︎︎}}

^{Geographic distance and time constraints prevent people from attending weddings, especially with flight restrictions and impacts due to the pandemic}

^{︎︎︎

The designed platform features a shared space for guests and the bride and groom, allowing for real-time interaction within this environment}

︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎

^{︎︎︎

Concerns about online weddings include feeling less involved, unfamiliarity with other attendees, and challenges in effectively expressing emotions and thoughts}

^{︎︎︎}

^{Enhance the online wedding experience by adding emoji reactions, gesture animations, text and voice chat functionalities, guest mini-games, and an information bar to introduce each attendee}

︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎

^{︎︎︎

Offline wedding processes are lengthy and complex, requiring frequent follow-ups for in person meeting}

^{︎︎︎

Users can customize their wedding process and steps on the platform, ensuring a sense of ceremony. They can design invitations, venue decorations, and their own avatars directly within the platform wherever they want}

︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎

^{︎︎︎}^{Online weddings might lack the sense of ceremony found in real-life events}

^{︎︎︎}
^{Integrate an online store feature where the bride and groom can select welcome gifts, and attendees can choose gifts for the couple and DIY greeting cards for one-on-one delivery interactions. Additionally, guests can view photo album of the photos taken on weddingable and post blessings on an online message board after the wedding}

FINAL DESIGN

EVALUATIONS

^{︎ What I Learned: My experience with Weddingable has taught me the importance of flexibility and adaptability in app design, especially in the fast-evolving landscape of technology. Understanding user needs and preferences is crucial for creating a more engaging and personalized wedding experience.

︎ Something I Want to Improve On: I aim to enhance the visual diversity of the app by introducing more stylistic options, catering to a broader range of aesthetic preferences. Additionally, I plan to develop more detailed and nuanced functionalities, keeping pace with the rapid technological advancements and users' growing comfort with digital solutions.

︎ Moving Forward: As I progress, my focus will be on continuously updating and refining Weddingable, ensuring it aligns with the latest tech trends and user expectations. This includes staying abreast of new technologies, soliciting user feedback, and iterating the app to offer a more enriching and immersive virtual wedding experience.}