Need some help including FI's dad in the wedding from Spain (a bit long)...

peaches85

I know it's a weekend and the board is going to be pretty quiet, but I wanted to post this now and then I'll just bump on Monday if I have to. 

FI hasn't seen his dad since 1995 when FI immigrated here from Ecuador.  He has been back to Ecuador a couple times to visit family, but his dad moved to Spain with his new wife and their kids about a year after FI came to the U.S.

Due to finances (a severe lack of) and his dad's current lack of full citizenship in Spain, it's about 99.9% definite that FI's dad won't be able to attend our wedding.  FI tries not to talk about it, but I know it tears him apart because he hasn't seen him in so long and they had and still have a very close relationship (FI and his dad cry anytime they talk to each other on the phone).

I'd like to somehow have FI's dad at our wedding in some way, but I'm not sure his dad is technologically adept (though his 19 year old daughter MIGHT be... I'd have to check).  So I'd like some ideas about how we could "include" him as a surprise for FI and how to accomplish those ideas (I'm not super technologically advanced either).  I know that the easiest thing would be to just have his dad call in the middle of the reception, but I'd like to do something a bit more exciting and I'd really like FI to actually SEE his dad in some way.

My ideas so far are:
-See if FI's dad's daughter can videotape a message from FI's dad, get it sent here, and play it at the reception
-See if we can skype from the reception hall (doubt it) so FI can see his father live from the reception

I'm not sure how either of those are even feasible, so I'd love advice, some how-to's, and/or any other suggestions about how to surprise FI with his dad's presence in some way at our wedding.

P.S. - We would love to one day be able to visit FI's dad in Spain, but it's a major financial issue because we'd have to pay for our trip and then we'd feel as though we had to give FI's dad and his family money and pay for them during the entire trip if we go out to dinner, do anything, go shopping, etc.  So please don't think we're heartless and go on other trips instead of visiting his dad, haha.  Once we have more money saved up, that's at the top of our list.  :-)

Thanks in advance for your help ladies!

mbcdefg

Skype is a good idea ... why don't you think it'd work?

Or set up a webcam/MacBook and he can watch the ceremony live from Spain.

peaches85

Would that be possible from a reception hall though?  What kind of internet connections and whatnot do you need?  Sorry if I sound like a complete dumbass, haha.

jaimelody

Ditto MB - Do you know anyone with a MacBook? You could have it set up at the ceremony for his dad to join in and watch if he wants to. But he would have to have a webcam too.

mbcdefg

I'm not 100% on how Skype works, but I imagine you'd need wireless Internet or at least a cable (Ethernet?) to plus the computer into to get the Internet. I am sure that most halls have the Internet in some capacity.

I've heard of other couples hooking up webcams or Skype at their weddings, so you certainly wouldn't be the first, and I'm sure that your hall would be understanding of the situation and would at least try to accommodate you.

http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/techinnovations/2006-07-17-wedding-webcasts_x.htm

jrgoogrl

I agree with PPer's. Definitely look into either Skype or a Macbook. You can set the laptop up during the ceremony up in front so FI's dad has a good view of you guys and then have someone set it up during the cocktail hr and reception.