I wanted to touch on a subject that can really affect how your ceremony shots turn out.
Let me be honest. I don’t have a problem with guests taking photos at a wedding. However, if they step out directly in front of me with their camera or mobile phone, then we’re going to have some issues.
As a wedding photographer, I follow several online forums. As such, I see an increased number of couples sharing footage that was photobombed by someone else’s device.
Because of this, more couples are requesting to have an “unplugged” wedding where guests have to put their cameras and phones away! In all honesty, you only need to worry about your ceremony. It’s the only time of the day where all your guests should be seated and watching your ceremony take place.
Decide How Unplugged You Want Your Wedding To Be
Do you want a total ban on devices during your wedding or just your ceremony?
Tell Your Guests Before The Wedding Ceremony
To avoid any confusion, ask the officiant to announce the restriction and add your unplugged guidelines to your wedding website.
Let Your Guests Access Your Professional Photos
You may consider satisfying peoples’ desire for documentation by creating an area of professional wedding photos that you are comfortable to share (my online gallery will allow you to decide which are available publicly). Make sure you let them know that this is the plan when making your initial unplugged request. Reassure them that your photographer and videographer are covering all of the moments that they think need to be taken with their phones and that they will have access to them soon after the wedding.
Create Guidelines For Sharing
If you are going to allow cameras during your wedding day, but want to be the first to share the images, make sure you tell your guests! Many do not think twice about whether the couple is ok with others sharing their wedding images before they do.