
An unplugged wedding ceremony is one where guests are politely asked to put away their phones and devices and be engaged in the present moment of the wedding day. Many couples opt for this to ensure their guests are fully present and not distracted by technology. There are many ways to politely request an unplugged wedding ceremony from guests, including via the wedding website. On their wedding website, couples can include a short message reiterating the fact that they want guests to remain present and that they've hired a professional to document the day.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Tone | Humorous, lighthearted, or formal |
| Wording | "We invite you to be fully present in the moment", "Please turn off all cameras and devices", "Sit back and relax while our professional photographer captures this special occasion", "We promise to share our professional photos later", "The greatest gift you can give us is to experience the moment with us and not through a camera screen" |
| Placement | Wedding website, save-the-date cards, invitations, wedding programs, signage, or a direct request from the officiant |
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What You'll Learn

Explain the meaning of an 'unplugged' wedding
Explain the meaning of an unplugged wedding
An unplugged wedding is when a couple chooses to ask their guests to refrain from using their phones, cameras, and other electronic devices during the wedding ceremony. This request is usually made to encourage guests to be fully present and engaged in the wedding celebrations, allowing them to connect emotionally with the couple and other guests.
The couple may also want to ensure that their guests are not distracted by technology and can focus on enjoying the special moments of the wedding. By requesting an unplugged ceremony, the couple can create a more intimate atmosphere for their wedding.
In today's technology-driven world, it has become increasingly common for guests to be absorbed in their devices, whether it's taking photos, texting, or sharing updates on social media. An unplugged wedding aims to shift the focus away from technology and back onto the couple and their celebration.
To ensure guests are aware of the unplugged nature of the wedding, it is recommended to include this information on the wedding website, save-the-date cards, invitations, and even through word-of-mouth before the wedding. This way, guests are informed in advance and can respect the couple's wishes.
Some couples may choose to have an unplugged ceremony followed by a plugged-in reception, where guests are free to use their devices and capture memories. Ultimately, the decision to have an unplugged wedding is a personal one, and couples can tailor it to their preferences.
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Ask guests to be present in the moment
An unplugged wedding ceremony is when guests are politely requested to put away their phones and devices and be present in the moment. This means they can focus on the ceremony and create a more intimate and emotional experience for the couple and themselves.
How to Ask Guests to Be Present in the Moment
Firstly, it is important to set expectations in advance. You can do this via your save-the-date cards, invitations, wedding website, and in conversation before the wedding. You can also ask your wedding party members to spread the word about your wishes for an unplugged ceremony.
- "We will have a photographer for the ceremony. We want our guests to relax and enjoy the moment with us, so please no photos during the ceremony. Photos during the reception are great, just please be mindful of the photographer."
- "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 cell phones off. Of course, we will be happy to share our wedding photos with you afterward!"
- "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."
- "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."
Announcements on the Day
On the day of the wedding, you can also ask your officiant or celebrant to make a quick announcement after all of the guests have been seated. For example: "Ladies and gentlemen, please put your phones and cameras away until after the ceremony." You can also add a similar message to the front page of your wedding ceremony program.
Signs
You could also put up signs at the entrance to your venue or leading into the ceremony area. For example: "Welcome to our unplugged ceremony. Please turn off all cameras and devices, and sit back and relax while our professional photographer captures this special occasion."
After the Ceremony
Many couples are happy for phones to come out after the ceremony, during the reception. You can add a message to this effect on your wedding website and programs, for example: "Though our I Dos are unplugged, our reception is not. Once our vows are exchanged, you're free to take a shot!"
Share Your Photos Afterward
You can also encourage guests to put away their devices by promising to share your professional photos with them afterward.
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Inform guests about the professional photographer
The wedding day is finally here, and you want your guests to be fully present and engaged in the here-and-now of the celebration. You've decided to inform your guests about your preference for an unplugged ceremony and have hired a professional photographer to capture the special moments. Here are some ideas for wording this request on your wedding website:
Informing Guests about the Professional Photographer
"Welcome, family and friends! We've hired a photographer to capture the beauty of this moment through their lens, so you can savour it with your hearts. We kindly request that you keep your cameras and phones turned off during the ceremony so that you can be fully present with us."
"We've asked a professional photographer to capture the magic of this special day so that we can all be truly present and immersed in the celebration. We invite you to put aside your devices and join us in this joyful experience. Our official wedding photos will be available for all of us to cherish and share after the big day."
"As we exchange our vows, we want to see your smiling faces, not your phones! We've arranged for a professional photographer to document this once-in-a-lifetime event, so please turn off your cameras and devices during the ceremony. Let's create unforgettable memories together."
"Our wedding day is all about sharing love and joy with those dearest to us. We've hired a talented photographer to capture the beauty of these moments, so we invite you to keep your cameras and phones turned off during the ceremony. Instead, let's focus on being fully present and celebrating this special day together."
Remember, it's essential to communicate your wishes clearly and repeatedly before the wedding day. You can also enlist your wedding party members to help spread the word gently. On the day of the wedding, signage and a polite reminder from the officiant before the ceremony begins can be effective ways to ensure your guests are on the same page.
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Request no photos during the ceremony
There are many ways to politely request that guests refrain from taking photos during your wedding ceremony. Here are some suggestions for wording to use on your wedding website:
"We've hired a professional photographer to capture this special moment so that you can sit back, relax and enjoy it with us. Our beautiful images will be available after the wedding."
"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."
"We're so glad you're here! Please stow away your phones and cameras until the reception. We promise to share the beautiful pictures taken today."
It's also a good idea to communicate your request in advance through your save-the-date cards, invitations, and in conversation ahead of your wedding day. You can also ask your wedding party members to spread the word, and you may wish to include a sign at the entrance to your venue.
Finally, you can ask your officiant to make an announcement before the ceremony begins. Here are some examples of what they could say:
"The bride and groom kindly ask that you refrain from taking photos and videos during the ceremony. They appreciate the full presence of their guests and that is why they’ve hired a photographer."
"Please turn off your cameras and devices until after the ceremony. We want to see your lovely faces and happy smiles!"
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Reiterate the message on the day
Reiterating the message on the day is key to ensuring your guests are aware of your wishes for an unplugged wedding ceremony. Here are some ideas for how to do this:
The Officiant's Welcome Speech
The wedding officiant is an authority figure, so a gentle reminder from them during their welcome speech is likely to be effective. This is a great opportunity to reiterate the message in a polite, friendly, and clear manner. For example, the officiant could say: "Welcome, everyone! We're so grateful you could join us today. You may have noticed that we have a couple of professional photographers here today – they're here to give us amateurs a day off! So unplug, sit back, enjoy the ceremony, and be sure to show off your good side!"
Housekeeping Announcements
The officiant can also include a reminder as part of their 'housekeeping announcements'. For example: "Hello, friends and family! As you get settled in, please set your phones to silent and keep them in a pocket or purse during the ceremony. We're going unplugged today to give [Partner One] and [Partner Two] a special, intimate experience!"
Signage
Although signage may not be the most effective method, it can still help to spread the message. Consider a quirky sign stating something like, "Hold the Phone!" or "Call It a Day!", where guests can tag and safely store their devices.
Enlist the Wedding Party
Ask your wedding party members to spread the word about your wishes for an unplugged ceremony. This way, you don't have to keep reminding guests yourself.
Remember, it's important to communicate your wishes clearly and repeatedly before and during the wedding. This will help ensure that your guests are fully present and engaged in the here-and-now of your special day.
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Frequently asked questions
An unplugged wedding is when guests are invited to put away their phones and devices and be engaged in the here-and-now of the wedding day.
Many couples want their guests to be fully present and create emotional connections without the distraction of technology. It also ensures the wedding photographer can take clear shots without phones and other devices getting in the way.
You can include a message on your wedding website, as well as on save-the-date cards, invitations, and in conversations ahead of your wedding day. You can also ask your officiant to make an announcement before the ceremony begins.
Here are some examples:
- "We will have a photographer for the ceremony. We want our guests to relax and enjoy the moment with us, so please no photos during the ceremony."
- "We invite you to be fully present with us during our ceremony, so please turn off all phones and cameras."
- "We have 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."






































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