No Cell Phone/Camera Wedding??

Just Reenski - no, guests aren't being allowed in the house. The ceremony and reception are in the field next to or behind the house. Frankly, if it were up to me, I would just as that cell phones be turned off ONLY for the ceremony and speeches, and otherwise anything they do is up to them....it's my parent's that are making this more difficult than it needs to be because they are stubborn and old fashioned and hate Social Media. It's not that I want to be a pain or anything with this...I would rather only ask reasonable things HAHA. I guess you are all right in that all I can do is ask, and that better be enough for my parent's because they too are aware that you cannot control other people :-)

Um... do your parents know about Google Earth and Google Maps? Because someone can probably see some portion of their house on there. If they aren't allowing anyone in the house, then I don't see what their concern is.

If no one is allowed in the house, it seems that the only things that could be seen are outside walls. They can close curtains/shades in any windows and call it day. You can certainly make the phone/cameras off/silent request for the ceremony and then let it be for the reception.

You know how couples are creating instagram signs for the tables for people to use hashtags for their weddings? You can create the anti-social media sign for each table, or each place setting. Just put the facebook, twitter, and instagram logos with a big red circle & a line through it. not everyone will oblige as the others have said, but at least you can say "Look what we are doing Mom & Dad!"

Hmm to this I say, good luck! Sooo many people cannot be separated from their electronics! I think posting signs is good, spread the word as best you can, and maybe post signs or in the program that you want to keep the private property private and off the internet? I think people will understand not to post pictures of the house but alot of people like getting dressed up and having their photo taken. As long as it isnt details of the house, like the fine china or artwork or something, it should be ok?

Well Junst Reenksi my parent's aren't nieve. I mean they know if someone truly wants to find the house, they can. But in their mind, if you are actually invited to the house and the event, they would prefer you be respectful and not post photos on Social Media, that's all. I mean they don't want to stay hidden by any means, but they don't want pictures of their cars or garage or such all over the internet.

Lizz M that is a funny, interesting, yet I think very good idea :-) I think it'll be a way to get them to see it and maybe get a chuckle, but also get the point across.

So are they concerned that guests will go wandering around the property? If the ceremony/reception are in the field behind their home, I don't see why people would be taking pictures of their garage or cars -- they shouldn't be near that area at all.

If all they're asking is that you request that guests not take pictures of their home, you can do so to appease. I would also see about making sure that guests not wander around the property to take random pictures.

But some people will take pictures at the reception and probably still post them on FB, even if the roof of your parents house is visible in the background. That's what I think they should be aware of. You're inviting people to their house for a party, so thinking that folks wouldn't take pictures that could *possibly* include a part of their home is a bit much, I think.

Thanks Just Reenski :-)

I think the best you can do is ask and post in on your website....after that time will tell.

My personal opinion is...I would take my phone but have it on silent during the ceremony and vibrate during reception. If I had to text or take a call I would walk away. I would feel funny texting at the table...that's just me.

OH, and I will kill someone if their F'ing phone go's off during my ceremony!

I totally agree with not wanting your stuff posted on the net. My sisters wedding was at their family home. They had the nice porta potties brought in and also allowed people into the back entry bathroom. I saw a light on in the bedroom and yep there were people milling around inside the house and someone even looking in bedroom drawers just snooping. Yes they knew everyone but I would err on the side of caution.

I'm all about placing phones on vibrate during the ceremony and during the speech portion of the reception. But telling a person to leave there phones altogether is almost blasphemous these days at least for guests 35 and younger. You might have a fight on your hands, but I think once you're down the aisle that will be the furthest thing from you and your parents' mind.

What about having the Rules & Regulations on the RSVP card and have them sign that they agree to the Terms?

Yesterday, I had to sign a form agreeing to be filmed (not at a wedding). They can sign a form agreeing not to take pics.

We required no cell phones/no cameras during my daughters ceremony. How did we do that? A simple request, in the program, to turn off cell phone and "no flash photography.

And one simple announcement before the BP came in.

Everyone seemed to have complied. I also have to say, I did not see anyone on a cell phone during the entire reception.

Why, oh why, do people think that the MUST be available 24/7? Leave the phone in the car or turned off. Unless you are a Doctor or a Fire Fighter, you do not need to have your phone at your ear.

It's a wonderful idea. Speaking from a wedding photographer's point of view, I recommend that to my couples I work with. I never understood why cousins and uncles feel the need to constantly snap photos, and often get in the way of the photographer the couple paid a lot of money for. Just for being the first to put on Facebook? Many well meaning guests have gotten in the way or ruined shots. Like for example, it would have been a lovely candid photo of the bride hugging her grandmother if Aunt Sally's butt wasn't in my photo, while she got in front of me to compose her own shot. It's socially inept and downright freaking rude the way some guests act. It's someone else's wedding, not a paparazzi circus. Guests should be the guests they are asked to be, and leave the photography to the pros. Do guests help the caterer cook? I think not.

Unplugged weddings bring class and dignity to the event. It would be truly sad if people couldn't enjoy the day without their phones and cameras.

Setting the stage for this type of event may not stop all of that, but at least it will be far less invasive. The reception it's less of an issue as long as they don't get disruptive. Some shots here and there, not as bad.

Seriously, if a guest can't live for four hours without checking email,sending texts or going online, they should just stay home. No one, barring emergency providers, is that important.

Go to the party; interact with actual people; leave the cell in the car. No one will die.

I think if you get married somewhere, you come off as snotty if you tell people no phones or pictures. It's a cultural normality at this point. It's like asking people not to wear shoes because you don't want the floors ruined. It's ridiculous.

Samantha's pic of the older man holding up an iPad (or some such) is close to what I saw as an officiant. The father of the groom did not see his son get married except on the screen FOG was holding in front of his face.

How is it ridiculous? Are people really that self absorbed and self important where they can't unplug long enough to enjoy *someone else's* wedding? Sad, weak and pathetic. I guess guests yapping away, ringtones going off, and everyone texting when they are supposed to be there for the couple sounds better? Not to mention a good percentage of the wedding photos having people in the background holding their cameras or phones, as if it's their job to photograph the event. I'm sure that some discreet usage at the reception is acceptable, but the problem is so many people are so rude and detached from reality, that they are as discreet as a red fire engine crashing through a fine china shop.

There is nothing wrong with respectfully asking guests to stow away there cell phones put the device on airplane mode sit back and enjoy the ceremony with our amazing photographer at work, pictures will be shared after words on our wedding website. I believe the cell phones/cameras guests bring is such a distracting sight to many with holding it up around in front of the photographer, how challenging for our photographer to move around guests, you do not want to look back at your wedding photos with a bunch of people looking thru there LCD screens and phones in the background, sounds like the photographer defeats the purpose of being there to begin with.