Unplugged Ceremony.. Doesn't work?

It doesn't hurt to try. I guess it depends on your crowd how much people respect your request. Hopefully it at least makes them more mindful of the photographers so they aren't in their way.

My guests respected the unplugged ceremony sign. Our officiant also stated it but I didn't even feel he needed to. I guess it depends on your crowd.

We're having an unplugged ceremony sign and I also plan on asking the officiant to say something before the ceremony starts. I'm also putting it on our FAQ page of our wedding website. Most of our guest list is older family, very few people our own age so I don't think it'll be that big of an issue. At least I hope not!

You are pretty much spot on! People don't care. I think for the most part, many people will respect the no phones thing in a church, but not always. It's terrible because that is why you pay a professional photographer and people sticking their arms in the aisle ruins the professional photos. It's so annoying! I remember at my sister-in-law's wedding I sat behind her/my husband's Aunt. She was taking pictures the entire ceremony. She actually posted a photo of them at the altar during the ceremony!!! I was so appalled by it.

It is better to try than not at all! I do believe more people will respect it more than not. And the ones that do still decide to use their phones i think will try and be more discreet.

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Nobody had their phones like sticking out in the aisle thankfully but still. I am like thanks for listening to my wishes lol. People are gonna do what they want. I never take my phone out at my friend's weddings. My cousin had her phone out and posted a pic the next day. I am like in what way did you need that picture truly? Idk it's weird to me. I prefer to respect people's wishes but not everyone cares.

My guests all respected our request. But there were only 15 guests so anyone who didn’t would have stuck out.

I’ve never been to a wedding where someone didn’t have their phone out during the professional.

at the last wedding I went to, they had a sign that said something to the effect of “feel free to take pictures but please stay out of the aisle and out of the photographers way”. I know they got great pictures without interference from guests.

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I totally agree with you!!!!

Most people don’t pay attention to a sign, that’s why it’s helpful to have the officiant say it before the processional starts. And I disagree about the church thing. I’ve been to a catholic wedding and multiple people were in the aisle with iPads as the bride was walking down.

Daughter and SIL were adamant about an unplugged ceremony after seeing the wedding photos of a friend where two women were standing in the aisle taking pictures in EVERY shot of the bride and FOB as they walked down the aisle.... (And, they were partially blocking the professional photographer's view of the bride, so there was no way to completely edit them out.) They had a multi-step plan to prevent it at their wedding. Daughter and SIL had a sign, the GM reminded people as they assisted with seating them, the officiant asked people to put away their phones/etc. before the processional began, their request was on the website (which pretty much everyone had to visit to RSVP), AND most importantly, they spread the word beforehand and made it very clear they did not want ANY photos taken during the ceremony. After an incident a few months before their wedding at a family wedding on our side of the family, I sent an email to those I expected to be the worst offenders and explained why D&SIL did not want them taking pictures. One of them pushed back and asked "how I was going to stop her," in a reply all email, and I just said that since it was what the B&G wanted we would assume people who loved them would respect their wishes.... I think that helped with the guests on our side who I would have been most concerned about

Also, D&SIL's photographer package included full rights to all the photos, so they made it clear all guests would have access to any and all pro photos they wanted at no cost. For them, it worked perfectly! There is not one camera/phone visible in a single pro photo or the video of the ceremony, and D&SIL were VERY happy/grateful. I don't understand people's selfishness at ignoring this request....

I wanted an unplugged ceremony too. My wedding planner (who has been in the industry for 25 years) says it very rarely works. Signs are less effective than announcements because she says everyone is so wrapped up in the wedding they rarely read the signs.

View Quoted Comment Yeah I mean the officiant did make an announcement after I came in but whatever. It’s not a huge deal I’m just saying it doesn’t much work as you said. So it’s not something for people to stress over really! I would’ve read the sign at the beginning of the aisle on a barrel (which is what we had) but it’s a matter of reading it and shrugging and still doing it anyway. Can’t fix that 🤷🏻‍♀️ People do whatever they please!! Nobody was in our aisles so I’m sure the photographers were able to get something. To me, walking down the aisle isn’t the most important shot I guess. Being at the alter and the kiss are more important. My husband didn’t cry and neither did I so it’s not something I’ll miss if people have their phones in the aisle shots!

People do what they want to do, unfortunately. We've just got to roll with it, but it sucks that adults can't follow simple directions

We are having the best man collect everyone's cell phone. Guests are to turn off their cell phones and put them in the wedding basket until our ceremony is over.

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That's kind of extreme.. Lol. I would be offended in school if a teacher tried to take my phone let alone at a family/friend event. I would expect a lot of people to look at your best man like he has 5 heads.

View Quoted Comment Our guests have already been informed of our idea and do far they are ok with our decision. Our friends have done the same at their weddings without any issues.