The Beauty of an Unplugged Wedding

 

WHAT IS AN UNPLUGGED WEDDING?

The idea of an unplugged wedding has gotten so popular in the last year and as a professional photographer I am absolutely delighted with this trend! It’s where the Bride and Groom specifically ask their wedding guests to put their phones and cameras away.

SNAP HAPPY!

We are all guilty of experiencing life and special moments from behind the screens of our phones. We rarely just watch events and special occasions unfold with our eyes anymore! What we all don’t realise is that it’s more important to be in the moment, rather than capturing that moment on our camera phone!

DON’T WORRY – I’VE GOT YOU COVERED!

Of course, it’s completely understandable that wedding guests want to get a photograph of the Bride and Groom on their special day… But that’s why I am there! If people realised that by letting the professional wedding photographer to do his or her job that they will ultimately get the best photographs from the day, it would be a huge help to the professional wedding photographer.

THE BIGGEST NO NO!

As an experienced wedding photographer, the moment that I find the most important for wedding guests to take note of, is when the Bride arrives and makes the infamous walk up the aisle. This is a very special moment for every Bride on her wedding day. It can be a very emotional moment and it is always a must have photograph. It happens once! There are no re-takes.

Now imagine my stress and horror when I see wedding guests edging their way into the aisle with their phones and cameras. Believe me! It happens!!!

A crowded aisle and all those devices really can ruin what should be a very precious moment for the Bride. For me, it is the most common moment where cameras and devices cause a major problem for the professional wedding photographer.

STEP AWAY FROM SOCIAL MEDIA!

I have also seen and heard a number of my wedding day couples getting upset about the fact that they have seen Facebook and Instagram Posts from their wedding day already posted by their friends and family. On some occasions, the Bride and Groom hadn’t even made it back down the aisle, but there were social media posts already doing the rounds!

Everyone has the right intentions and there is great excitement on the day, but it really should be left to the Bride and Groom to decide what and more importantly when they want photographs from their wedding day going up on social media.

CREATING AN UNPLUGGED WEDDING

So, what is the best way to create an unplugged wedding? In the last year I have seen this done in lots of lovely ways.

  • ANNOUNCEMENTS

Some couples simply ask the priest or celebrant to make the announcement before the Bride arrives to the ceremony.

  • DECORATIVE SIGNS

There are really nice decorative signs that communicate this message to your guests for you. Here are some samples:

https://www.pinterest.ie/somethingnewdjs/unplugged-wedding/

  • POKE FUN!

I’ve also seen couples taking a light-hearted approach by incorporating their flower girls and page boys with signs warning their guests to step away from their phones. Poking fun at it can still get the message across without it feeling awkward.

https://www.pinterest.ie/pin/112801165640444124/

  • GET THE MESSAGE!

Some couples incorporate the message into their stationary by mentioning it in the initial save the date cards, invitations and/or again on the day on their ceremony booklets.

THINK ABOUT IT!

There are lots of benefits in having an unplugged ceremony. Ask yourselves as the Bride and Groom – What do you want on your wedding day? If you’re worried about camera and phones taking away from the romance of your ceremony then I would highly recommend that you go for an unplugged ceremony.

It’s easy to allow phones and cameras at the reception! The choice is yours!!! But I always recommend my wedding day couples to do what is right for them on their wedding day.

I hope that these points on the benefits of an unplugged wedding are helpful to you in your wedding planning.

Thanks,