Letting guests take pictures with their own phones?

You only have so much control over what other people do with their technology. Beyond a reminder to please keep them away during the ceremony there's not much you can do, especially if she's extending this desire to the reception.

The only thing I am requesting from my guests is to put them down during the ceremony. Our officiant will ask everyone to be present, but I can't control it if they decide to snap away or go on their phones. I think it's crazy to assume that you could control anyone like that in any situation.

How is she letting everyone know no photos?

I would understand if this is as for the wedding ceremony but to do it for the reception is a bit to much. Hey maybe the guest can capture a good moment at the party. There are some websites for all the guest to share their pictures with others.

I would allow guests at the reception to take photos. You never know what great shots you can miss out on!

People worry about this, but it’s rarely a problem in real life. Some of our guests got really great photos during our ceremony, and I’m glad they did. I also think it’s rude to try to tell adults what to do with their own phones/cameras.

I would want an unplugged ceremony, but like everyone mentioned, there’s so only much you can do to control everyone. To “prevent” it, I’ve already been mentioning to family/friends that I don’t like guests taking pictures during the ceremony even before we were engaged so they have at least that on their mind (if they remember those conversations lol). We’ll also have a sign at the entrance and someone to remind the our guests a few minutes before the ceremony starts. I’m pretty sure one or two guests will slip through and take pictures anyways, but I don’t mind that ... it’s when there’s a paparazzi of guests taking pictures that pet peeves me. Plus, I’d probably be LOLing if our photographer can catch a picture of any of our guests trying to ~discreeting~ capture a picture lol (“caught on camera!!”)

I hear what you are all saying! I think that during the reception it should be encouraged for guests to take pictures but maybe for the ceremony to refrain from using flash!

We are definitely opting for an unplugged ceremony, just because I’ve seen way too many wedding photos where all you see are the guests’ cellphones shielding their faces or getting in the way of a good shot. People may still take photos though, but I’m hoping people can resist for 30 minutes.

As for an unplugged ceremony and reception, I doubt guests would really last that long without their cellphones, lol. I’ve heard of some weddings where someone collects guests’ cellohones, but I think that is pushing it and I don’t know how I would feel if someone took my phone away.

I can definitely understand the preference though. Sometimes you’ll watch an IG / Snapchat story and guests post every single detail of the wedding while it’s going on. Personal moments, like a father-daughter dance, emotional speeches, guests crying, etc., might all be viewed by your bridesmaid’s Instagram followers. At the same time, this might be a way to collect photos and memories the day after.

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Even if they refrain from using a flash, I don't want to see photos of my wedding ceremony and see a dozen phones in the air trying to get photos! We are having an unplugged ceremony. My DOC is going to try and keep an eye out during the ceremony and politely (and quietly) remind people to put their devices away. We're having a sign at the front of the aisle and our officiant is also making an announcement.

Totally agree about the reception, though. I want people to take as many photos as they can there! We actually have an "eye spy" game for the kids to play, encouraging them to take photos and use a hashtag on them so we can see them after the wedding.

View Quoted Comment It is the websites and social media where guests share their pictures with others that are, for me, the main reason to strictly limit any phones or cameras until after dinner. The other reason being how difficult it is for one or two photographers or a videographer to work with people standing or reaching up randomly, completely ruining some moments you cannot get back, for the pros you pay thousands to to do your requested photos.

You all are giving me great insight into things that never crossed my mind! I appreciate it all! Would love to know more opinions!!

We wanted to have an unplugged ceremony, however, I didn't want to go overboard with signage. Our officiant is going to mention it at the beginning of our ceremony, and if people happen to use their phones, it's whatever at that point. At least they were told and knew. As far as the rest of the wedding, I don't care if people take pictures.

We asked our guests (by phone & email because only 15) to not use take pics during ceremony or cocktail reception because we had a pro photographer and wanted photos of them enjoying themselves, not blocked behind a camera. We forgot to tell 1 guest who was fine during ceremony but during our entrance & welcome speech, blocked everyobody’s views & thrust her iPad in our faces, ruining our pro photos (none of hers came out anyway!). 😡

I really don't mind. I have seen some brides say they wanted to be the first one to post on social media about their day. Maybe because I am older, I just don't think that it's a big deal. If someone thinks that our ceremony/reception are something they want to capture, then more power to them. All I ask is that they share it with us.

We are going to have our officiant make an announcement to not take out phones during ceremony. I’ve been to quite a few weddings where people were crowding the aisle sticking iPhones/iPads out to get a picture of the bride walking and it made me cringe.

View Quoted Comment It is a website for pictures, and all the people or guest can share the pictures with each other.

I was married August 18th and people took videos and pics throughout. i didn’t mind at all though because it gave us some pictures to look at while we wait to get the photos back from the photographer.

View Quoted Comment I know what it is, there are more than one. And I do not like the idea of my very personal moments and events on the web without my knowing it. After dinner and often emotional speeches, family moments, and after ceremony by then, is one thing. But earlier, I do not like to see cameras out and photos shared. People send 10 people your photos two minutes after taken, and those people pass them on in moments after they occur. And I consider that an invasion of privacy for any person who does not want it at a wedding, funeral, baptism, etc.

I really wanted an unplugged ceremony. But it is looking more and more like H's teenage daughter won't be able to come, and has asked that we video it for her. I think it would be hard to have a camera for that and tell other people they can't. I really hate the idea of 50 cameras in my pictures though, so I'm waiting to see how it all plays out. Not something I want to argue about for the next 4 months, and I can see why it's important to him, so I won't make it a hill to die on. At the reception, they can do whatever they want.

I was really upset when I found out someone did Facebook live during my ceremony. When I say I was pissed, I literally had to take a couple of days to calm myself down. I invited exactly who I wanted to my wedding to share the intimacy of the ceremony. I didn’t want random people watching us get married. It wasn’t a show for me, it was my marriage vows.