Phone less Ceremonies

I feel like a lot of people have opinions on it but I honestly don't care. It doesn't bother me if guests have their phones out.

Your photographer will probably thank you. I have seen many instances where guests were either out in the aisle trying to get pictures, using flash repeatedly throughout the indoor ceremony, or even going so far as to block the photographer from getting a shot he/she needs to get.

However, it's the cameras that cause more trouble than the phones as they have a much brighter flash.

From looking at some BAMs here you can see a difference. I love the idea of having no one blocking the photographer or getting in the way. I also would like people who attend the ceremony to actually attend the ceremony and not be on their phone the whole time. I'm not sure how we will go about this yet but I know it's definitely an option for us.

I'm making one of the cute "unplugged wedding" signs (see: etsy listings). Hopefully my guests will get the hint!

We had an unplugged sign and some didn't get the hint, including my MIL

I loved mine! However, I was grateful to one friend who didn't listen and subsequently posted his pics on fb. We just didn't want to be looking into a sea of cell phones/cameras or to have pro pics of the same.

I did notice in our highlights video people's flashes going off during cake cutting...but what are you going to do? We limited the Unplugged-ness to the ceremony.

I did one...had a nice sign near the guestbook, mentioned it on my website, put it on my programs, had it announced. Still saw pics and even a few videos of the ceremony. I think it's a great idea, just know some people will still think it doesn't apply to them no matter what you ask them to do.

Make a cute sign, put it on your wedding website, and hope for the best.

Or slap cell phones out of people's hands as you walk down the aisle.

ETA: wording

I'm having an unplugged ceremony

Didn't even know it was a thing when I got married. There were no problems though. I think it has to do with the age of your guests. Most of mine were 30+. They know not to take pics during a wedding ceremony.

I don't honestly get why guests think they can't be unplugged for freaking 30 minutes. If you can't put it down, stay home.

I am happy to announce unplugged, and whether you agree or not, the atmosphere is totally different. It's a sacred experience, even if it's totally non religious, and it should be treated that way.

I honestly don't understand people who don't care if their guests are paying attention to their wedding. Because if they are taking pictures? They are not paying attention.

I don't understand anyone thinking it's ok to have their phone out during a wedding. I would feel so crass doing that. The reception? Of course. The ceremony? No way!

We're having one. Our officiant is making an announcement before the ceremony begins.

Celia, I always love your contributions on these threads. You always find interesting (at least to me) new ways to say the same thing. Lol!

I'm definitely doing an unplugged ceremony. I'm going to make a sign (or two) to prop up right outside the ceremony space, put it on our website, and have our officiant announce it. After that, if they still bring out the phones, that's on them. Nothing else to be done about it.

I'd rather see faces, not devices.

We planned for an unplugged ceremony. It was on our website, we had a sign as guests were arriving for the ceremony. Even before the ceremony, the pastor gently let guests know to keep their cellphones in their pockets. Unfortunately, most people chose to ignore him, and a quite a few posted photos on Facebook of my husband and I before we even said I do. This really irritated me. Be prepared for people to completely ignore your request.

Wow @Carrie, really?! I don't understand these people. I would never have my phone out at a wedding ceremony!

I'm definitely having an unplugged ceremony. FH wants to have everyone put their phones in a locked box as they walk in (he's kidding, kinda... lol). We will have it on our website, a sign at the ceremony and our celebrant will gently remind the guests as well.

I do not want this to happen!

I am very much for it. 1. I don't want anyone (especially my close relatives) to remember my wedding via a phone screen. It's just not the same. 2. I don't want pictures from my photographer being photo bombed by others taking pictures- I'm hiring a professional for a reason. I do think I'll ask my younger cousin to sit on the outer side of the isle and take pictures, though. It is nice to have some quick ones to look at while you wait on professional shots and that way grandma won't complain, I can just send them to her.

We are having a cute unplugged sign and we are also having the officiant make an announcement to have everyone silence their phones and electronics and put them away right before the ceremony begins.

It's a good idea in principal but I don't think we can really control what people do and if they use their phones or not.

I don't think I'll be worried about it while I'm walking down the aisle myself.