Unplugged ceremony & signs?

L didn't make my ceremony unplugged, but I've always enjoyed ceremonies I've been to that are unplugged. I don't consider them rude or pushy at all (though my opinion is in the minority here). But consider two things:

1. Many of my favorite pictures ended up being from guests rather than the pros. They had a more natural feel to them.

2. If your concern is that your ceremony pics will be of people holding cameras, don't worry so much. How many ceremony pics are really going to have guests in them?

We are doing an unplugged ceremony more so for the fact I don't want pics up on facebook. We are going to have our Jp tell people before the ceremony starts.

Do it. It's not rude; conversely, having have the audience standing up, watching through their lenses is rude.

You're absolutely right about people being in the present; these ceremonies have a totally different atmosphere than weddings with dozens of cameras in evidence. People pay attention.

Let them go crazy at the reception, but the ceremony is still a sacred experience, not a photo pop.

We are doing an unplugged ceremony, I already made that clear to my DOC. Here is the sign I purchased from Zazzle.com, it arrive yesterday. It will be on an easel right in your face as you come in to take your seat for the ceremony.

**** It's a big "poster" we will mount to a $1 foam board from the Dollar Tree. It cost me $16.

I love unplugged ceremonies. It helps also make it so the professional photographer is able to get your pictures without your family member and their Ipad in ever shot. You would not believe how intrusive guests can be to get photos on their phones, ipads, etc.

Guests at unplugged weddings seemed to be plugged into the ceremony, and what is really happening than staring through whatever device. They can go for at the reception. I would say close to half the ceremonies our venue hosts are unplugged, and they are so much more enjoyable.

We were very certain that we wanted an unplugged ceremony... until a couple days ago. Now we're just going to let people take pictures.

It's all well and good until you get your pro-pics back and there is a lady in a hot pink dress STANDING up with her iPad in 90% of the shots during the ceremony.

I'm not worried about an unplugged ceremony. Probably the best place to put this info. would be the program.

We arent having an unplugged ceremony but i did post on our website that if you would like to take pictures, then to please sit in the back so you don't obstruct others views.. I know a lot of people won't see it but I'm not worried about my photographer not getting good pictures because of it. If it is important to you, then do it!

I am so happy that I'm not alone in this! Thanks for the support ladies, I think it's the right choice for us.

My photographer told me about a wedding she shot recently -- there was a picture of the bride on Facebook before the groom even saw her, or she walked down the aisle. That's exactly what I want to avoid. We're are too plugged into our cells!

I'm feeling pretty confident FH can be talked into it. I know his mother, and I ADORE her.. but she will be glued to her camera, and I just want her to be present with us! I love the idea of guests taking photos during the reception -- the photographer can only be in one place at once, after all. It's just the ceremony I'm feeling strongly about.

@Monica thanks for the sign info! Where did you/are you getting your easel? That's exactly what I want.

Monica...I have seen that exact thing happen. In this case it was a bright red dress with her mid-drift showing, and she was seriously over-weight. She videoed the ceremony on her Ipad, and stood about 3 feet to the right of minister. She had taken it upon herself to do this for the couple, and the couple requested their minister ask her to move.

No kidding in the least...

@Elle -- what changed your mind, if you don't mind me asking?

@ Holly O....my story was from my friend Crystal church wedding 5 years ago.

@Jenny....since I am renting a bar and wine glasses for the reception, I am adding on an easel for $15 more. If I happen to finding for sale on FB cheaper then I will jump on that, but most I have seen 2nd hand are still $30.

@Holly O that is AWFUL. I think I wouldn't know whether to laugh or cry!

I like the idea of an unplugged ceremony and we're considering doing this ourselves. I really like Monica's sign above.

I understand people wanting an unplugged ceremony and I absolutely respect that. Ours was not an unplugged ceremony. We did not have any problems. Nobody stood up to take pictures. Nobody got in the aisle or in the way of our photographer. Part of our photography package was getting a disc with every single shot the photographer took, unedited. Out of the hundreds of pics there was not one single picture of guests accidentally getting in a shot with their phones/cameras out. It was a non-issue. As long as your guests have half a brain, they will stay out of the way of the photographer. Some of my guests got great shots, and I'm glad to have those pictures.

It's a great idea, Celia gave great reasons why.....Here are some tips on how to do it. http://www.jayfarrellphotography.com/unplugged-wedding/

AND a sample wedding blog of a wedding I photographed this past October, the couple had no regrets. http://www.jayfarrellphotography.com/bowling-green-ky-fall-wedding/ The officiant announced that before the ceremony officially begins, please take this minute to do any photos (guests) and then respect the couples wishes to turn them off and be fully present. It worked like a charm, I wasn't getting photos of anyone's butt when holding a cell phone or other recording device. And people actually paid attention to the couple....novel idea. Not all officiants get involved there but I thought that was a nice touch. None of the couples who have done it, have had issues with unhappy guests as a result, that I've seen or heard about.

Sarah, that's actually rare. The half a brain thing cannot be relied upon most of the time, it's like people lose all self control and manners when holding this little device. I'm glad it worked out for you, but it doesn't always. Not worth the risk for me if it were my wedding.

I agree with Jay....I have seem so many women get up from the church pew and move up towards the front to take photos, but more often than not video of the ceremony. It's usually and aunt or someone close to the family. I am always looking at the person next to me and saying "OMG...do you see her??!!"

As a guest, it is distracting too. I am there to enjoy the ceremony and I resent my attention being pulled away from the couple by Aunt Betty and her camcorder.

I love the sign. My couples who have done this have the signs, they had ushers remind guests, and in one case I made an announcement (though I'm not crazy about that; maybe if the maitre d did it, it would be better. They also put it on their website.

As untraditional as our ceremonies can be, with unusual elements (tequila sharing anyone?), dogs, bagpipers.....they do (as any ceremony) require the mental and emotional participation of the guests. They should be partners in the creation of the moment and the commitment, not disembodied paparazzi. When that happens, it's really a lovely way to start the celebration.

It ALSO starts your day off in a way that is totally different than the reception, if that makes any sense; it's contemplative and significant. And a guest can't get into that headspace if they're too busy taking photos to really pay attention.