Cell phone free wedding

You can certainly ask for people to not have their phones out for the ceremony but not for the reception.

You mean just the ceremony right? It seems like the most effective way to do this is have the officiant make an announcement.

Typically when this is done people do a unplugged ceremony, they don't cut out the ability to take pictures during the reception. I am personally doing a unplugged ceremony because I have attended other weddings whether their photographers couldn't get shots because of other guests or flashes. In terms of the reception though, as a guest I would be pretty upset if someone told me that I couldn't take pictures during the reception when I got myself all dolled up to attend. I also think you will be doing yourself a disservice, there are many moments during your big day that you will miss, your guests will help capture those moments along with the photographer. I am definitely team unplugged ceremony but not for the entire day/reception.

You can't really tell people not to bring their phones. I put a note in my program, but people took pictures anyway. However, nobody got in the way of the photographers. If you're worried about people posting pictures, you can turn on your "Timeline Review" on Facebook so that you have to approve any tagged pictures before they show up on your timeline

Thanks everyone ! Just to clarify I meant the ceremony only .

Yes, ask the officiant to kindly remind people to have sounds off and refrain from photos during the ceremony. There is no other polite and respectful way to do this.

Sorry double post, WW flashed up an error message.

We are putting something in the program and the officiant is going to say something for the ceremony only. Too many pictures ruined woth arms out taking pictures or iPad up in the air (who brings an iPad to a wedding?) But for the ceremony only.

I can see it both ways. Personally I loved seeing everyone's photos and videos from angles and places our photographers didn't get. We didn't hire a videographer either so it was great finding out people got clips of the important parts.

I also gave my photographers full permission to tell people to move if they were in their way.

We did an unplugged ceremony and I don't regret it for a second. People absolutely still took photos (and posted them to Facebook later), but no one stood up, got into the aisle, or anything else like that.

Recognize though that people will absolutely post during the reception. We wanted to be the first to mention our wedding, so we did a quick selfie in the limo between the ceremony and the reception. If you're worried about guests sharing the fact you're married before you do, you might want to consider doing something like that

It is in my photographer's contract that the ceremony must be unplugged, so I am going to try to spread the word prior to my wedding day, potentially make a sign, and also ask my officiant to kindly remind everyone. The reception is a different story.

I echo Courtney. We didn't do unplugged and I love all the candids taken by loved ones. I also love the photos by the photographer that show loved ones with their cell phones out. I don't know why that's become such an eyesore to some. If people aren't in the aisle and don't get in the way, I see nothing wrong with them taking pictures/video. But that's an unpopular opinion here.

@OP a unplugged ceremony is absolutely OK, I also intend to have one. My photographer doesn't require them but she highly recommends them. I plan to set up a chalkboard sign at the end of aisle with my request. I personally I don't mind photos during the ceremony being leaked, I'm just not OK with the issues that arise with guests taking pictures (flashes, being in the way of pro photos, etc.).

I had a friend who recently got married, she hired a professional. I watched people block his way and jump in front of him to get their pictures, due to this she now has no pictures of her walking down the aisle or her groom's reaction. This made me decide to go unplugged.