Unplugged Ceremony

My sister will be our officiant and in the bridal party. So before we walk down my sister will enter the ceremony space and address everyone. Shell say "Welcome family and friends! Good evening everyone, please be seated. We will be beginning in just a moment. Michaela and Shannon invite you to be truly present at this special time. Please turn off you cell phones, tablets and put down your cameras. The photographer will capture how this moment looks and I encourage you to capture how it feels in your hearts, without the distraction of technology. Thank you." Then exit the space and take her place in the processional line.

Having the officiant announce it is the best way. Most people aren’t going to pay attention to a sign.

There’s nothing wrong with having the officiant announce it. It’s not like they’re going to say “put your devices away.” Something like “in order to be fully present for this special moment, the bride(s) and/or groom(s) request that you please turn off phones and other devices until after the ceremony.”

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I may steal your wording. That is the nicest way I have heard of so far!

I am going to have a sign next to the guest book, the ushers will mention it as they seat everyone and I want the officiant to make an announcement. My biggest pet peeve is "Aunt Sally" with her iPad in the aisle blocking the photographer as the procession starts!

View Quoted Comment Thank you for including the verbiage! that's a lot less abrasive than I was picturing.

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Yes and I ask because I was just looking at the cost of signs online and it seemed a little ridiculous for something that's going to showcased for about 15 minutes and not even read by most people lol.

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AGREED I'm having nightmares about the weddings I've attended where people are bold enough to step into the aisle for photo ops.

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I like this wording, thank you!

View Quoted Comment Please do, haha! I wrote my entire ceremony for the most part so please plagiarize away. It makes me feel good that people like it

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I've been a guest at a wedding where someone in combat boots trudged (not walked, or tiptoed) across the white aisle runner and rose petal edges to say hi to another guest. I almost leaped out of my chair. My mom had to hold me down. I will be having tulle boughs across the pews to hopefully stop people.

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LOLLL that is such vivid imagery it gave me anxiety

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Wait dumb question - is she going to say this before or after the rest of the bridal party and you and walk down the aisle?

We had a sign at our unplugged ceremony. Guests still took photos, lol.

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Oy. Did your officiant say something as well?

We are having our officiant make an announcement before the ceremony starts

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No, we weren't that hard pressed on the issue. From what I could tell so far, people weren't being obnoxious with their cameras, so all is well.

I agree with PPs. Having the officiant announce it's an unplugged ceremony is likely your best bet! I'm planning to have my officiant make an announcement too

Are you planning for the announcement before or after the processional?

I bought this sign, but we'll probably also have our officiants say something.

Unplugged Ceremony Sign

We bought a sign but we're also having our officiant mention it just before the ceremony starts.