Creating an Intimate Unplugged Wedding Ceremony

As the soft melody of a live string quartet fills the air, the couple approaches the aisle. Will their guests fully immerse themselves in this beautiful, once-in-a-lifetime moment, or will their focus of taking photos of the couple and wedding ceremony distract them?

Why you might want to have an unplugged wedding ceremony

Today we are going to discuss cell phones and your ceremony.  I am sure each of you have seen the photos of the guest who stands right in front of the photographer when they were about to get the first kiss or maybe the bride’s entrance.  These photos always make me cringe. 

We live in a world where cell phones are ready in a moment to capture all those special moments. The cameras on phones have become so incredible, so why should we not allow our guests to capture that moment?  Okay let's be honest,  cell phones are great and yes the cameras on them are good. And yes photos taken by friends and family can then be shared via text, on social sites and help a couple enjoy and witness the candid moments at their wedding.  

However during the ceremony cell phones can ruin moments and future memories.  While cameras on cell phones are great, normally the person behind the phone is not a professional photographer.  They might not understand how to get the right angle or how to find the right lighting.   Unless you truly feel your guests can get better photos then the photographer you have hired (and have more than likely paid a nice amount to). I believe you should have an unplugged wedding ceremony.

What is an unplugged ceremony? iIt typically means you ask guests to silence their phones and not take them out during the ceremony.  However, have you ever thought about the fact that if there is an Amber Alert or another type of legal notification every phone in the room will sound the alarm ( yes I have seen this happen). My suggestion is that you ask guests to turn off their phones and put it away for the duration of the ceremony.  After the ceremony they are welcome to pull out their phones and take all the photos they desire for the evening.  The candid moments you get on social sites from your guests of dance floor moments, friends groups and so much more are truly the ones you want your guests to take. 

Once you have decided to have an unplugged ceremony you need to let your guest know.

Four tips on how to let guests know you are doing an unplugged wedding ceremony:

1 - Have a sign stating your wedding is unplugged. You can place the sign at the entrance to the ceremony, allowing guests to notice it as they arrive. The pros to this is it is a nice and subtle way for guests to know the wedding is unplugged. The sign can also be a part of the decor adorned with flowers or candles at the base. A con is we all know that one guest who thinks the message is not for them, or they claim they did not see the sign as they entered.

2 - Have the officiant make an announcement once all your guests are seated for the ceremony and right before you start the processional. The officiant can kindly make an announcement asking all guest to please turn off their cell phones and put them away until after the wedding day ceremony. They can remind guests that the couple have paid for a photographer and will post the photos as soon as they are available, only include you will post your wedding photos if plan to do so.

3 - Have the ushers let guests know. If you have ushers walking guests to their seats you can have the ushers let the guests know that the couple have asked all guests to turn their phones off for the ceremony.  This is a nice way to personally ask all guests to unplug.

4 - Write in on the program - Put a note in the program asking guests to turn their phones off. This is another way in writing to let guest know you want an unplugged wedding ceremony. While the program is a great place for this information it is so easy for guests to miss this important fact as they do not always read the entire program, or might do so to late.

Letting your guests know you want an unplugged wedding on your wedding day is not a hard thing to do. It can definitely save you heartache later of your photographer missing a photo because a guest went for a cell phone shot. It also allows your guest to be present, listing to the beautiful ceremony and feeling the emotions as the couple exchanges their vow.

 The best way to let your guests know you want an unplugged wedding ceremony is to use several of the tips above.  Have an “unplugged” sign and ask the officiant to let the guests know, or have a sign and add it in your program.  This way you’ll have the beautiful photos you paid for of the ceremony.