Is An Unplugged Wedding Ceremony Right For You?
An unplugged wedding ceremony is a ceremony in which only the professional photographer is allowed to take photos. Is this the right choice for you?
Why UNPLUGGED?
Unplugged wedding ceremony is a growing trend. In light of this, as a DJ who performs at MANY on-site wedding ceremonies, this has become the thing to do.
In fact, guests are asked to switch off their phones and not take photos or videos during the ceremony.
Professional photographers struggle with guests getting in their way with smart phones and even iPads. As a matter of fact, often guests get in the way of key shots, such as a guest stepping into the aisle to take a photo as the couple say their vows.
The Benefits Of An Unplugged Wedding Ceremony
Ruining the pictures isn’t the only reason that some couples are opting for an unplugged wedding ceremony. Of course, couples want the guests to enjoy the day through their own eyes. So, when the bride walks down the aisle she wants to see the smiling, joyful faces of friends and family, not rows and rows of iPhones and camera lenses.
In effect, this keeps people in the moment, engaged, and the professional photos look clean and orderly.
Before The Wedding Talk To Your Photographer
Wedding guests take photos because they want to be able to re-live and share the experience of the day.
Consequently, if you’re considering an unplugged wedding ceremony, you must commit to sharing photos with wedding guests and make plans for how you’re going to do so.
Work with your wedding photographer to make ensure a small set of photos (as few as three to as many as ten) available digitally to guests within a couple days of the wedding.
Therefore, these pictures can be shared on social media or emailed to every guest. Whatever method you choose, make sure it’s worked out IN ADVANCE with your wedding photographer.
How to Tell Your Guests
There are various ways you can politely ask guests not to take photos. The first is to create a sign at the entrance to the Ceremony with a clear notice that this is an Unplugged Wedding Ceremony and cameras, of all shapes and sizes, are not to be used.
Ideally you should ask your officiant to inform your guests of the unplugged wedding ceremony rule at the start of the ceremony. Something along the lines of:
“Our couple have kindly requested that guests switch off their phones and refrain from using cameras. Sit back and enjoy the ceremony!”
or
“The couple respectfully requests that all guests honor the sanctity of this moment by turning off cell phones and cameras.“
If you’re sharing wedding information online with guests via a wedding website, you can warn them by giving some perspectives about why you’re asking them to leave their devices off.
Alternatively, include a short note in your wedding programs to explain why you’ve decided to have an unplugged wedding ceremony. Such as:
“{couples name} would like you to share and enjoy our wedding vows fully, and not through the lens of a phone or camera!”
Enforcing the Unplugged Rule
Firstly, don’t rely on your photographer to be the heavy; it’s not their job to make your guests behave. Also, this is not a Royal Wedding, so a security detail will not be needed to enforce this rule.
Appoint a member of your wedding party to help encourage other guests to put down their devices at the wedding. A nod and a wink or a tap on the shoulder will normally be sufficient.
Finally, when the request to put away the camera or phone comes from a fellow guest, it’s more likely to be seen as a friendly reminder.
Once the Unplugged Wedding Ceremony Is Over
Many wedding guests simply don’t realise how intrusive or disruptive it is when they are continually taking photos. Coupled with the fact that they’re probably thinking about getting a great shot of a special moment to share with you after the wedding.
Therefore, after the Ceremony create a couple of specific photo opportunities when guests are allowed to take pictures. Once the professional photographer has taken their shots – you could invite guests to come forward and take their own photos.
Listen to more about this topic on our podcast: Be Engaged and Inspired Podcast Episode 19: Unplugged Weddings and Wedding Placement Guideline Ideas.
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