Wording for guests to not get in the way of the photographer.

You can just have your officiant make an announcement at the beginning of the ceremony.

We are making it clear on our website and in our programs that we are having an "unplugged ceremony". We're also having one of our groomsmen welcome everyone and remind them of this before we get started, since it's sort of nice to have someone people know, and it can be that final reminder. Our wording in the program talks about how we've invited our guests to bear witness to our marriage and hope they can do so without distractions. Our ceremony is also in a church so that helps.

Sounds harsh. I mean , even if you have an unplugged ceremony you cannot control anyone. So if someone busts out their phone your photographer will leave on your wedding day ?!?!

No way would I have signed that contract.

You could do an unplugged ceremony.

(Personally I think it is a bit extreme of your photographer to have that in their contract. A good photographer should be able to bob and weave through the people. Ceremony I get. But the whole wedding? Are your guests able to take pictures as any point during your wedding?)

I like the idea of having the officiant make an announcement. I also like the cute wording on the unplugged ceremony sign

We questioned him on it and he says that he uses it so that if guests are using flash that would interfere with his photos he has the ability to tell them to stop. I trust him. He has 100's of five star reviews and has been in the business forever. Our wedding is a NYE wedding - it's a late ceremony followed by an even later reception. The whole thing is going to be very low-light, which is what this photog specializes in and why we picked him in the first place. If he has to tell a distant cousin to please put away their phone so he can get the shot he needs I am totally ok with that. He has great feedback on how he interacts with wedding guests and professionalism, etc. I just want to do my part to set the expectations for people that it is "unplugged."

@Jessinlove - no. Our part of the contract is to notify guests to please keep cell phones and cameras away as we have hired a professional to do a job . Putting a notice on the wedding website fulfills our part of the contract. No where did he or the contract say that he would leave if someone else took a picture.

I've never heard of this and find it rude. What if your great aunt wants to take a picture of you guys to keep on her phone to show her bingo friends that week. Come on now, I find that just crazy!

I don't think it is a matter of being rude. I think it is pretty common practice nowadays to ask people to put away their phones. Of course you are going to have the occasional person who feels like they have to snap a picture - but you don't want this (picture below), or - at least - I don't. Better to set the expectation that we don't want everyone's phone out and have the occasional snapped photo as opposed to a free for all - especially when I have paid so much to have professional photos done.

Besides, if my great aunt really wants a cell phone picture that badly of us she is more than welcome to let me know and we will get a picture on her phone for her

@ GeeQT Lmaoo right!!!

Oops! Double posted - so hid one.

That's pretty strange to be that anal about it. No advice because that clause would be enough for me to say thanks but no thanks.

Make it clear any way possible. I would use word of mouth before hand. Have the officiant say something and maybe a sign.

We had and unplugged wedding and it went very well.

Does this rule apply only to the ceremony or to the reception as well? I can understand the ceremony but during the reception, that would be difficult. Impossible maybe. I've never heard of any photographer doing this. I could see suggesting it, but putting it in the contract is a tad much. To answer your question, I think a sign and your programs should do the trick