Should You Have an Unplugged Wedding Ceremony?

Your wedding ceremony is arguably one of the most important moments on your wedding day. It’s the time when you and your partner, your family, and your friends, come together to watch you make your commitment to one another. The emotions can run pretty high and the last thing you want is to turn to your wedding guests just to see iPhone cameras staring back at you. What can even be more frustrating is looking back at your professional wedding photos and noticing that half of your guests are focused more on the screens than on you on your big day. While we understand that your guests mean no harm in doing this and of course just want to be able to document the day, sometimes it’s best to be more present and in the moment. This is an instance where that deems true. The solution to all of this? An unplugged wedding ceremony! There are so many benefits to having an unplugged ceremony that can make your wedding experience that much better. So, should you have an unplugged wedding ceremony? Keep reading to find out!

What is an Unplugged Wedding Ceremony?

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It’s important to first understand what is an unplugged wedding ceremony. An unplugged wedding ceremony is a ceremony where the couple can request that their guests put away all electronics or distracting devices. This can include cameras and smartphones! This is to ensure that they are more in the moment and present while witnessing your actual ceremony.

Benefits of Having an Unplugged Ceremony

Before deciding if you’re going to have an unplugged ceremony or not, it’s important to understand the benefits of having one!

Your Guests Can Be In The Moment

You want your guests to be in the moment and fully present on the day of your wedding, right? Your wedding day isn’t just for you, but it’s also about creating an experience for all of your guests as well. Having an unplugged wedding ceremony makes sure that your guests are distracted by phone calls, flash sounds, and social media and are focused on you two. Social media can wait, your wedding can’t!

Your Photographer Can Get The Best of The Best Photos

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I can’t tell you the countless amount of times that I have had to maneuver my camera through guests’ arms and bobbing heads in order to capture certain moments throughout the ceremony. With guests holding up their phones or worst… iPads… it can be incredibly difficult to not capture those in your wedding photos. If you are paying $$ for a professional wedding photographer to document your day, ensure your guests that your wedding day will be captured to the fullest. Looking back at your wedding photos and not being distracted by electronic devices will be an amazing way to remember your day — trust me.

Privacy

If you are a couple who values your privacy, you may want to opt-in for an unplugged wedding ceremony. Having wedding guests livestream your wedding vows or post your wedding photos all over social media and other internet platforms might not be the way you want your special day to be circulated. With an unplugged wedding ceremony, you can control which photos are getting released and who is having access to them.

No Devices = No Distractions

Your wedding day should be all about you and your partner. While implementing an unplugged wedding ceremony you are ultimately eliminating a ton of distractions throughout the ceremony. Phones ringing and flashes going off can be incredibly distracting especially if you’re in the middle of saying your vows. If you are wanting to go through your wedding ceremony distraction-free, I suggest looking into having an unplugged wedding ceremony.

Best Way To Tell Guests You’re Having An Unplugged Ceremony

Okay, so maybe you’ve gotten to this point and you’re thinking that having an unplugged ceremony is the right choice for you. First off — congratulations! Second, it’s time to inform the guests. While there are several different ways you can go about doing this, here are just a few options to help break the news:

• Make multiple signs and place them all throughout your venue reminding your guests

• Put that you’re having an unplugged ceremony on your wedding invites

• Post it on social media or on your wedding website prior to your wedding day

• Have your officiant tell guests prior to you and your partner arriving at the ceremony

While of course some of your guests might not be happy with this unplugged rule, just ensure them that it is not only for your benefit but theirs as well! Also, if you’re having professional photos taken by a professional wedding photographer, aka me, you will have no problem sharing those photos with family and friends once they are delivered! Your friends and family get to be in the moment on the day of your wedding, but can still have photos captured to remember that moment forever. It’s a win-win in my book!