Unveiling The Unplugged Wedding: A Guide To Unplugging Your Big Day

An unplugged wedding is a wedding without technology. Couples are increasingly choosing to ban phones, cameras, tablets and other devices from their ceremonies, allowing guests to be present in the moment and enjoy the day through their own eyes.

The trend has emerged as a response to the modern phenomenon of guests viewing weddings through their screens, with many now seeing the entire event through a camera lens.

By asking guests to put away their devices, couples can ensure that their wedding photos are not ruined by flashing cameras or phone screens, and that they can see the faces of their loved ones, rather than their devices, as they walk down the aisle.

Guests are asked to put away phones, cameras, and other devices

An unplugged wedding ceremony is a ceremony in which the couple requests that guests put away their phones, cameras, and any other devices in order for them to be present in the moment.

The couple may ask their guests to refrain from using their devices for the entire day or just during the ceremony. This is usually communicated through the wedding invites, signage at the venue, or announcements by the wedding officiant or celebrant.

• "We want you to be able to really enjoy our wedding day, feeling truly present and in the moment with us. We’ve hired an amazing wedding photographer who will be capturing the way the wedding looks — and we’re inviting each of you to sit back, relax, and just enjoy how the wedding feels. We’re respectfully asking that everyone consider leaving all cameras and phones off. Of course, we will be happy to share our wedding photos with you afterward!"
• "Please, turn off your mobile phones and put down your cameras. The photographer will capture how this moment looks — I encourage you all to capture how it feels with your hearts, without the distraction of technology."
• "The bride and groom have kindly requested that guests switch off their phones and refrain from using cameras. Sit back and enjoy the ceremony!"
• "We ask you to kindly turn off your phones during the wedding and refrain from taking photos. We have professional photographers on hand to capture all the special moments and are excited to share their photos with you."
• "Welcome to our unplugged wedding. We invite you to be fully present with us during our ceremony, so please turn off all phones and cameras. Thank you!"
• "The greatest gift you can give us today is to be truly present, so please turn off all phones and cameras and enjoy this special moment with us."

Benefits of Asking Guests to Put Away Devices

Asking guests to put away their devices has several benefits:

• It puts the focus back on the couple getting married, allowing guests to be fully present and involved in the ceremony.
• It prevents devices from ruining professional photos and allows the photographer to capture clear shots without distractions.
• It ensures that the couple can see the faces and emotions of their guests, rather than a sea of screens.
• It limits distractions, such as ringtones or social media notifications, during the ceremony.
• It allows guests to respect the couple's privacy and that of other guests, especially if the wedding is small or secret.
• It encourages guests to enjoy the day through their own eyes and not view the entire wedding through a camera lens.

The couple wants to see their guests' faces, not their devices

An unplugged wedding ceremony is a ceremony in which the couple requests that guests put away cell phones, cameras, and any other devices in order to be present in the moment. This means that the couple gets to see their guests' faces, not their devices.

The couple can look out at their guests and see smiling faces, tears of joy, and their parents holding hands. It also means that the couple can focus the entire energy of the ceremony on what's actually happening and that sacred moment of the actual wedding.

Guests taking photos can get in the way of the professional photographer's key shots, particularly during the ceremony where photographers are limited as to where they can set up. A guest stepping into the aisle to take a photo can block those important moments. Flashes from guest cameras can also ruin the professional photos, especially when the bride is wearing traditional white.

When guests aren't fixated on capturing the perfect photo, the event immediately becomes more intimate. It also means that guests can fully enjoy the day through their own eyes, rather than through a camera lens.

The couple wants their guests to be present in the moment

An unplugged wedding ceremony is when a couple requests that their guests put away their phones, cameras, and other devices to be present in the moment. This means that the couple is asking their guests to refrain from using any technology during the ceremony and, in some cases, the entire wedding.

The couple's intention behind requesting an unplugged wedding is to create a more intimate and meaningful experience for both themselves and their guests. They want their guests to be fully present and engaged in the ceremony, rather than being distracted by their devices.

By having an unplugged wedding, the couple can ensure that their guests are focused on the ceremony and are not scrolling through social media or taking photos. This allows the guests to connect more deeply with the couple and create lasting memories.

Additionally, the couple may also want to avoid the competition between their hired photographer and the guests. With an unplugged wedding, the photographer has more freedom to capture the ceremony without guests obstructing their shots or causing distractions with their own devices.

To ensure their guests are aware of their wishes, the couple can communicate their request through various means. This includes adding a line to their wedding invitations or website, displaying signs at the venue, or having the officiant or a member of the wedding party make an announcement before the ceremony begins.

The couple doesn't want devices to ruin their professional photos

An unplugged wedding is a wedding where guests are asked to put away their phones, cameras, and other devices. The couple wants their guests to be present in the moment and not hide behind their devices. They want to be able to look down the aisle and see their friends' and family's faces, their smiles, and tears of joy, rather than a sea of phones and cameras.

The couple has hired a professional wedding photographer to capture all the special moments, from walking down the aisle to the first kiss, as well as the emotions on the guests' faces. They want to ensure the photographer can do their job without guests getting in the way or ruining shots.

Guests with cameras and phones can often ruin professional photos, whether by stepping into the aisle to get a shot, causing people to look the wrong way in posed photos, or using a flash that ruins the lighting. The couple doesn't want their professional photos to be ruined by guests with devices.

The couple also wants their guests to enjoy the day through their own eyes, rather than a screen. They want their guests to be fully present and create a stronger bond with them, rather than being distracted by technology.

The couple can communicate their wishes for an unplugged wedding through their invites, signage at the venue, and by asking the officiant to make a brief announcement before the ceremony begins. They can also provide specific photo opportunities for guests, such as after the register is signed or during the cake cutting, so that guests can still take some photos while respecting the couple's wishes for an unplugged ceremony.

The couple wants to control when their wedding photos are shared on social media

An unplugged wedding ceremony is a ceremony in which the couple requests that guests put away cell phones, cameras, and any other devices in order for them to be present in the moment.

If the couple wants to control when their wedding photos are shared on social media, they can politely inform their guests about their request in advance. They can add a line to their printed invites or wedding website, such as "We kindly request no photos on social media until we post our first picture as Mr & Mrs". They can also include a note in their wedding program or order of service, reminding guests of their request.

Another option is to put up signs at the venue or make an announcement at the beginning of the ceremony. The couple can ask their officiant, photographer, or wedding DJ to inform guests about the social media ban. When making the announcement, it is important to be clear about what is acceptable and unacceptable regarding photo-taking and sharing on social media.

To make the request more light-hearted, the couple can use humour in their approach. For example, they can use creative wording on signs or a funny delivery when making the announcement. This can help guests respect their wishes without feeling bossed around.

Additionally, the couple can request "sneak peek" photos from their wedding photographer to be able to share their own images before guests do. This can help ensure that the couple's official wedding photos are the first ones shared on social media.

It is important to note that some guests may not adhere to the couple's request, and it may be challenging to control when wedding photos are shared on social media. However, by politely informing guests in advance and using humour, the couple can increase the chances of their wishes being respected.

Frequently asked questions