Why you should have an unplugged wedding ceremony…
If you want your guests to be fully present and to leave the photos to the professionals, you should consider having an “unplugged ceremony.”
Keep in mind, this is YOUR DAY and you are not selfish for asking your guests to comply, and you shouldn’t feel like you need to defend your decision.
There are sooooo many reasons why you should have an unplugged wedding ceremony - but here are some of my personal favorites:
Leave the photography to the photographer…
You’ve likely paid a lot of money to have a professional photographer document your big day. If your guests are all trying to get the best shot for Instagram then they 1. are not fully present in the beautiful moment, 2. they could be getting in the way of the photographer and messing up the photos you’ve paid thousands of dollars for. And not to mention, who wants low quality android images floating around the internet from their wedding day when you can be the first to share beautiful professionally captured photos that everyone will love!
Ceremony, uninterrupted…
By having an unplugged ceremony, your guests will be fully invested in watching each moment as they happen. Gasping at your beauty as you walk down the aisle, shedding tears with the groom as he sees you for the very first time, and laughing when one or both of you mess up repeating the vows (it happens every time, lol)
You also will have no distractions. You and your spouse to be can focus on each other and the ceremony instead of being distracted by guests taking photos and camera flashes coming from every direction!
If you have an unplugged ceremony…
Be specific: if you just don’t want images shared on social media, specify that. But if you don’t want images taken at all, make sure your guests are aware of the stipulations
Don’t confiscate phones, just make sure your guests are aware by announcing it on your invitations, wedding website, or having cute signage made to be displayed wherever your ceremony will be taking place
Don’t have an unplugged reception. Limit it to the ceremony only and allow your guests to have fun and take fun photos and videos at your reception
Share images with your guests. When you get your images from your photographer they will likely share them with you in an online gallery. My clients are able to share that gallery with whomever they please so that guests can enjoy the images from your big day!
Remember, this is your day! Approach the topic of an unplugged ceremony with care and acknowledge any guest complaints. But do not be afraid to be confident in communicating how you envision your ceremony to be!
