WEDDING HINTS & TIPS | UNPLUGGED WEDDING CEREMONY?
A wedding guest filming the wedding ceremony on his mobile phone (the couple paid for a videographer..but an iPhone film will be better, right?)
What is an unplugged wedding ceremony?
An unplugged wedding ceremony is when couples ask their guests not to use phones, tablets, or cameras during the ceremony. That means no selfies, no photos from the aisle, and no devices held up in the air while you’re saying your vows.
The idea is simple: to keep the focus on the moment, not the screen. It allows your friends and family to be fully present— watching the ceremony with their own eyes instead of through a lens — and it helps create a calmer, more intimate atmosphere without a sea of phones in every direction.
Plus, it ensures your professional photographer has a clear view and isn’t fighting with a guest’s iPad to capture key moments like walking down the aisle or your first kiss as a married couple.
A wedding guest using a very large and loud camera during the wedding ceremony
Why would I want an unplugged wedding ceremony?
For many couples, the wedding ceremony is the most meaningful part of the day — the bit where it all becomes real.
An unplugged ceremony helps ensure that your family and friends are truly present in that moment with you. Instead of looking out at a sea of phones, you get to see their actual faces as you walk down the aisle — smiling, crying, beaming with pride — not hidden behind screens.
It also means guests can take it all in without the distraction of trying to get a photo or record a video (that you’ll probably never see anyway). And from a photography point of view, it makes a huge difference — I can capture clean, uninterrupted shots of key moments without someone’s iPad suddenly blocking the aisle or a flash going off at the wrong time.
It’s about keeping the moment real, focused, and heartfelt — and letting your guests relax and enjoy the ceremony without feeling like they need to “get the shot.”
A sea of wedding guests pointing their phones at the bride as she walks down the aisle with her son.
How do we go about asking for an unplugged wedding ceremony?
There are a few simple and polite ways to let your guests know you’re having an unplugged ceremony.
One of the most common is to place a small sign at the entrance to your ceremony space — something like:
“We invite you to be fully present with us — please turn off your devices and enjoy the moment. Our photographer has got it covered!”
But the most effective method is to ask your Registrar, Vicar, or Celebrant to make a short announcement just before the ceremony begins. This has become standard practice at many weddings, and it’s a friendly way to remind guests to keep phones and cameras away.
They can also add a quick note about not posting photos to social media until you’ve had the chance to do so yourselves — another thoughtful touch that helps keep the focus on the couple and the moment.
Should we ask for the whole wedding day to be unplugged?
From experience, most guests are absolutely fine putting their phones away during the ceremony — especially when it’s been clearly asked and nicely announced.
But asking people to stay unplugged for the entire day? That’s a bit unrealistic. Guests will naturally want to take a few photos, send messages, or check in with loved ones. And that’s okay!
That said, you might want to consider asking for no phones during the speeches — just like with the ceremony, it helps people stay present, really listen, and soak in the moment. It also avoids glowing phone screens in every photo.
One thing to watch out for: if you haven’t booked one of my Photofilms or a videographer, guests may take it upon themselves to film the speeches. That’s totally understandable — but maybe give a gentle heads-up not to let someone at the top table do the filming… the view in your photos probably won’t be the best!
A Bridesmaid filming the wedding speeches, despite the couple having paid for a 2 person video team to film the wedding day
Advice for wedding guests
Don’t stress about getting the shot for Instagram, Snapchat, or whatever the latest app is called.
You’ve been invited to share in a couple’s most important day — so be present, enjoy the ceremony, and experience the love in the room without viewing it through a screen.
If you really feel the need to take a photo, just know that you might accidentally block a professional shot or distract from a special moment. And if you’re thinking of filming the ceremony, please only do so after checking with the couple first— and try not to stand in the photographer’s line of sight.
One more thing: if you do take a quick photo, resist the urge to upload it straight to social media. Some couples want to make that first entrance at the evening reception without guests having already seen the dress or shared moments from earlier in the day.
Be a guest, not a cameraman — and let the pros (and the love) do the rest.
If you are to use your phone during a ceremony, best to remove the reflective cover
FINAL THOUGHTS
At the end of the day, there’s no right or wrong answer here — it’s completely up to you.
I’ve photographed plenty of weddings where guests have used phones, iPads, and cameras during the ceremony — and it’s been absolutely fine. But I’ve also seen people watch the entire ceremony through their screens. I’ve seen guests accidentally block the aisle, step in front of the bride and her father, and even heard other photographers clicking away loudly with no idea they were disrupting the moment.
Choosing to have an unplugged wedding ceremony is simply about setting the tone you want. It’s a way to help everyone be truly present, to let the emotion of the moment breathe — without distractions.
Whether you go unplugged or not, I’ll still be working my butt off to tell the full story of your day — every tear, every joyous hug… and every type of mobile device under the sun.
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