Four Reasons To Have An Unplugged Ceremony
Design & photography provided by Sheaf Stationery
Around a third of our time awake is spent looking at our mobile phones (App Annie), and we’ve all seen at least one gig through our friends’ Snapchat or IG story. Weddings are no different with guests itching to get a great shot of the first kiss, a video of the bride walking down the aisle, or a selfie in your cool AF venue. Hence, someone, somewhere (I could research it, but that’s not the point…) came up with the idea of an unplugged ceremony.
What’s an unplugged ceremony?
Put simply, an unplugged ceremony is a wedding where mobile phones, tablets and cameras are banned during the ceremony.
Why?
It may already be obvious, but perhaps you’re wondering why you should have an unplugged ceremony. Here they are, the four reasons you were promised in the title, in no particular order:
Everyone loves a selfie-stick, right?
This, is exactly what you don’t want - thankfully this was not my wedding!
Guests are focused on the ceremony – your guests are actually present, seeing the ceremony through their eyes, not their phone screens and cameras.
Your ceremony is more intimate – your friends and family react to what’s happening in front of them – happy tears and shed, rapturous applause is given, and as a result, you get All. The. Feels. You know your friends and family are focused on you and your ceremony, and, trust me, you can feel it.
Who is really going to see the photos anyway? One of your guests may get a banger (as we photographers call it) shot, share it on Instagram or Facebook or Snapchat or Tiktok (or whatever the current social media thing is when you’re reading this), and it’ll be pretty much live, so you’ll not see it when it happens, but it’ll be nice later. Great. Chances are though, given they’re in a seat (or should be) it won’t be a banger and it’ll just sit in their phone forever, never to see the light of day.
Your photographer will thank you. Okay, so this is selfish, but I love it when guests are reacting to your ceremony – that makes for great photos. The fronts or backs of cameras, phones and your distant aunt’s 12.9” iPad Pro don’t. It gives me something else that I have to work around to get good photos and it can ruin a composition – AND it’s not easy to remove later.
How do you tell your guests to put their phones away?
You’ve heeded the advice above and think an unplugged wedding ceremony is your cup of tea. Great! (If you haven’t, give it another read…) But you’re wondering how do I tell my guests – my friends and family – to leave their phones in their pockets when they’ll be itching to get a photo.
Make it clear in advance
Mention you’re having an unplugged ceremony in save-the-dates, wedding websites and invitations.
Repeat the message
The more times you mention it, the more people will remember. Pop the message on signs and your programme for the day.
Remind people on the day
Ask your celebrant to remind people that it’s an unplugged ceremony before they begin the ceremony. Most people treat the celebrant as an authority figure and will do what they ask, usually, they word it something like ‘we’ve got an amazing photographer here today, who’s going to get all the photos we need, so the couple have asked if you would all mind keeping your phones and cameras away during the ceremony there’ll be plenty opportunity to get something for your socials later’.
Most of all – make it fun
Don’t come across as aggressive and demanding, instead make it fun, make your message about focusing on you and leaving the work to the photographer and all your guests will be fine with it!
Design & photography provided by Sheaf Stationery
If you’re looking for ideas for unplugged ceremony signs and stationery, take a look at some amazing ones on Huff Post, or check out Sheaf Stationery, a Sheffield-based wedding stationery designer!
AND, if you’re having an unplugged wedding in Sheffield, or across the UK, and need a photographer to keep your guests phones at bay, get in touch to check my availability!
