Thinking about having an ‘unplugged’ wedding?
What is an unplugged wedding?
An unplugged wedding is when you decide you would prefer if your guests do not take photos and/or upload them to social media.
There are many variations on this. Sometimes the ‘unplugged’ is for the ceremony only, but guests are free to take photos during the reception. But sometimes there may be a strict ‘No Photos’ policy for the entire wedding celebration.
If photos are allowed, guests may be asked not to post anything on social media until the bride and groom have made their own posts. Or, guests may be asked to post nothing at all – after all, no one wants potentially unflattering photos posted of one of the most important days of their life!
What’s the problem with guests taking a few photos?
· For starters, if cameras/phones are turned off, your guests will be fully present in the ceremony, which you have gone to much trouble and expense to organise.
· You will also have most likely paid a significant amount of money for a photographer, and possibly a videographer, to take professional photos. These will turn out way better than Aunty Mildred’s snaps.
· If everyone is waving their phones in the air for snaps and selfies, this can get in the way of the professional shots. It is no fun (and not always possible) to photoshop out these unwelcome intrusions.
· Not everyone is happy to have their images splashed on social media, especially if they are unflattering. An ‘unplugged’ policy is respectful of your and your guests’ privacy.
· Your guests are more likely to interact and chat with each other if they are not constantly checking their phones.
The downside of unplugged:
If it takes a long time for the official photos to come through, it leaves you with very little to share with people immediately after the wedding, when it’s fresh in their minds. You could ask your photographer to send you a ‘sneak peak’ of unedited photos as soon as possible, so you have some to share.
A photo booth can be a fun way for guests to have a photo memento of the day to take away with them.
How to tell your guests:
You could include a brief note on your invitations, along the lines of: “We invite you to be truly present at our ceremony, and respectfully request that all cameras and phones be turned off. We look forward to sharing our professional photos with you after the big day.”
Or, have a sign at the ceremony and/or reception, asking guests to switch off.
Your celebrant can also politely pass on this request when they ask guests to assemble prior to the ceremony.