The Internet has changed many aspects of the society be it in education, religion, economic or health. Many activities which used to be physically performed between humans have been uploaded to the Internet and the trend is likely to continue in the future. One of the rising roles of the Internet that is slowly gaining more popularity and being talked about is the act of performing marriage vows exchange online. Let’s explore this phenomenon and understand a bit more of the new concept of online solemnisation.

Solemnisation is simply defined as the celebration or performance of the ceremony of marriage. Another definition of solemnisation includes the celebration or observation with rites or formal ceremonies, as normally found in a religious occasion. Online solemnisation is the act of performing the ceremony of marriage, or other rites of formal ceremonies related to a religious occasion, through the Internet. Marriage, as advocated by many religions, is a part of religious rituals that tie the relationship between a man and a woman.

Using IT applications in online solemnisation

There are many applications that can facilitate the act of solemnisation through the Internet. These applications have similar features that allow two or more individuals or small groups of people to gather, communicate and exchange ideas. Equipped with video, camera, audio, chat box and storage facilities, these applications are capable of making the experience of exchanging vows between couples more efficient and eco-friendlier.

In most cases, the online meetings for the solemnisation happen via a web browser application or software downloaded on laptops or mobile devices. With online meeting software, users can connect with one another via virtual meetings, also known as web conferences or video conferences. You only need a laptop or mobile equipped with a microphone, online meeting software, an Internet connection and the other party to meet with who has the same components. The functionality of your virtual meeting if you choose to adopt sophisticated collaboration offerings like web conferencing or video conferencing, fall under the “online meeting” umbrella. Web conferencing enables users to share their screens, poll attendees, digitally whiteboard, and more during meetings. Video conferencing adds a real-time video component into the mix to help further foster human relationship and add face-to-face communication to virtual meetings.

Among the popular applications of online meeting in Malaysia are Zoom, Skype, Google Meet, Google Hangout, Microsoft Teams, GoToMeeting, Cisco Webex, Discord, Whereby and Messenger Rooms.

Advantages

There are many reasons why online solemnisation is slowly getting acceptance in the society especially in times of crises like what we Malaysians are currently experiencing. For example, Amir and Jasleen, both 25, have been in a relationship since they were studying in a public university. Now, both have graduated and are working as engineer and marketing executive in Kuala Lumpur. They both agreed that online solemnisation has advantages.

Being innovative. The couple agree that online solemnisation calls for an innovative approach of announcing and inviting selected guests through social media such as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Wedding invitations used to be sent through cards and mail. But with the social media applications, they are now sent using the Internet to guests from all around the world.

Back to basics. From the religion point of view, online solemnisation is allowing couples and their families to focus on the most important steps in a marriage. It avoids them having to spend on grand weddings with luxurious reception ceremonies attended by many guests. With many limitations of the online activities, these require society to go back to the basic requirements from religion.

Lesser hassle. Online solemnisation further promotes less hassle and physical activities for both the bride and groom. Using the Internet, the exchange of vows can be recorded and blasted on screen, which allows the moments to be shared by many people from almost anywhere around the world. This also means that relatives and friends who are unable to be physically present at the event can still be virtually present.

Lesser people. This is especially true when online solemnisation is seen as an alternative way to exchange marriage vows. With lesser people attending the event, the risk of spreading diseases is likely to reduce among the society.

Way forward

Do we see this as a new trend that is likely to continue post national crisis? While the advantages of online solemnisation are clear and logical, there are many factors that need to be taken into consideration before it can be formalised and regulated. It may be subject to manipulations by syndicates or fake individuals if no verification is done to the documents presented prior to the online solemnisation. In addition, the lack of human interactions during the event means lesser bonding times with families and friends. This could be the beginning of a care less individualistic society.

-- BERNAMA

Dr Noor Ismawati Jaafar is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Business and Accountancy, Universiti Malaya (UM).