"volunteers" at your wedding?

I normally try to understand that everyone has different ideas and opinions, and accept that a couple should have the wedding of their dreams. However, I would be very put off if someone tried to check my phone. My FH, who cannot, under any circumstances, have his phone during work so is very used to not being able to have it, says he would prefer to have someone tell him to leave it in his car. His words were along the lines of not wanting someone else to put hands on it. Phones are very personal.

I know this isn't the point of your post but noooooooo at the cell phone check. Literally read that and out loud went "noooooo way." That is taking it a little too far, I am not sure I would give up my phone just out of principle. You are treating your guests like children that can't follow a rule...and to ask people who have children or any sort of person depending on them to be utterly unreachable is really not OK. To also ask someone to take on this role that will certainly be confrontational and gain a lot of negative reactions is a big ask, especially since you didn't even invite them to the wedding.

I would not be comfortable giving up my cell phone and would refuse to do so. I’m respectful enough to not take photos during someone’s ceremony, especially if they’ve specifically requested guests not to. I would also be offended by not being invited to your wedding but then asked to work it. It’s ok to just not include people in your wedding, no one wants a consolation job.

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Yeah, I feel the guests who would hand it over would do it with an eye roll and say something like "who does she think she is, Beyonce?"...

What if there is an emergency and someone doesn't know about it because they don't have their cell phone?

A "cell phone check" would offend me. Trust your guests to follow an unplugged ceremony rule and have a sign... we didn't even have an "unplugged" ceremony and I didn't notice anyone with their phones out during the ceremony.

What is your reasoning for such strict restrictions? (NO CELL PHONES)

Whoa guys, stop with the shade. We all have our own feelings on things but you don't need to be so shady about my ideas.

View Quoted Comment But if this many people feel so strongly about it, don’t you think your guests will too?

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We're not being shady. We're being pretty clear about what we think. We're honestly trying to help you.

Agree with others. I'm sorry, I didn't finish your post because I had to come here and tell you what a bad idea a cell phone check is.

Why do you feel it's necessary? There could be an emergency and that person would not know because they didn't have their phone.

What if somehow, at the end, someone's phone went missing? Guess who is suddenly liable? You are.

People come to a wedding not expecting to have to "check in" their phones, even if you aren't forcing it, it's still unnecessary. People will put them in their purses or pockets like any other time they don't have their phones out.

If you want an unplugged ceremony, make a sign or have the officiant announce it.

As for the photo booth attendant, I would just hire someone and pay them, or hire a professional. I'd advise against asking a friend who is not invited against this unless you do decide to pay them for their time.

I'm always a very easy to please guest but I have to agree with everyone else about the cell phone check. Honestly, if the person's in charge of the cell phone check drops a phone and cracks the screen, will you be paying for the screen replacement? I think it's just too much of a liability headache on your wedding day.

Will you be including the "cell phone check" on your invitation? I wouldn't be happy is I showed up and had this sprung on me. Also I have 2 small children that would likely not be with me and refuse to had over my only means of contact to them.

View Quoted Comment No one is being shady. They are being honest about your shady idea. There is a difference.

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Our invitation says that our ceremony (not the reception) is cell phone free. They will literally be without their phones for 20 minutes.

View Quoted Comment Are you going to pay for replacements if any of the phones get stolen or damaged?

Anything can happen in 20 minutes. And actually, most guests arrive to a ceremony early, usually about 30 minutes before, so they would be without their phone for nearly an hour. This is not a good idea and doesn't even make sense. What possible rational led you to this decision?

As far as the photo booth, PPs have brought up good points about liability related to your equipment and feeding the volunteers who watch your equipment. I would hire a company to take care of this.

View Quoted Comment Your original post did not specify ceremony only. I still think letting people know you're ceremony is unplugged is better than confiscating phones.

View Quoted Comment I still wouldnt do it though.
1. Itd take longer to check them in and out than the actual ceremony
2. Your poor volunteers would probably get some crap from guests about it.
I personally have medical reasons where I MUST have my phone. Be considerate of your guests.
We're having an unplugged ceremony as well, but will have a sign.
The catering company probs wouldnt do it because it is unrelated to their services. Hire a photo booth company. Or see if your DJ also has the service, i know mine does.

View Quoted Comment What is your reason for it being cell phone free? I guarantee it’s not the venue’s rule.

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20 minutes doesn't matter, there is no way I would give up my phone. As said before, your guests are adults and can handle themselves appropriately with an announcement and a sign.

If you ask an uninvited friend to man the photo booth, I would pay them something for their time.

I don't want to sound harsh as I know you think this is a good idea but if I were to go to a wedding where a stranger tried to confiscate my phone when I walked in I would absolutely refuse... cell phones are expensive and have so much personal information on them nowadays... I don't think you would be able to enforce that rule and I think you would just offend and irritate all of your guests.... Is that really worth it?

You won't be able to control everything. Just have the officiant politely ask that people keep their cell phones off or on silent for the duration of the ceremony.