Have you ever been at a wedding ceremony where the officiant asks all to rise for the bride and you turn to see her radiating smile in her beautiful dress, but find yourself unable to see her because a cell phone or tablet is in the way? Unfortunately, in this digital world, everyone has easy access to a camera and wants to get the shot of the bride, so this problem is not going away anytime soon. But more and more, couples are opting for an unplugged wedding to combat this issue.

An unplugged wedding is a wedding ceremony and/or reception where the bride and groom kindly ask their guests to turn off their phones, cameras, and other digital devices and to be, instead, fully present during their special day. Are you considering an unplugged wedding for your special day but are worried it may not work? Here are a few tips and tricks to make your unplugged wedding a success!

Signage

Signs announcing your unplugged wedding can be cute, witty, or simple and do not have to clash with your decorations. A sign can be enough for your guests to understand they are to keep the phones tucked away in their pockets during your special moments. The sign doesn’t need to be massive, but you do want to make sure that it is visible and will not be missed. I had a small sign on my guest book table simply stating ‘please no photos during the ceremony’. Signs can be made or purchased and can match any range of decoration styles! Pinterest is a great place to find sign inspiration!

Officiant

Your officiant can be your biggest advocate for an unplugged wedding and would be more than happy to ask guests to put phones away. You can ask the officiant to greet guests and quietly spread word of the unplugged ceremony, or you can ask them to announce it at the altar. My officiant stood up prior to the ceremony and asked for guests to ‘please be sure to have [their] cell phones silenced and [their] cameras put away.’ She also stated that ‘the photographer will capture the moment for [us]’ and encouraged our guests to ‘capture how [the moment] feels in [their] heart which involves [their] full attention, [their] love, and good vibes’. Your officiant can be as direct or as nonchalant as you would like them to be!

Wedding Invitations, Ceremony Programs and Websites

Your wedding invitations, wedding website, and wedding ceremony program are a great place to make note about your unplugged wedding. A small, simple phrase can make sure your guests know what to expect when it comes to electronics at your wedding.

Photographer

Your photographer can also be a great enforcer of your unplugged wedding. Just remember to let your photographer know about the unplugged wedding well in advance so they can make sure they have the needed equipment and assistants to get the best pictures possible!

There is no need to worry if you choose an unplugged wedding because, in the end, your guests will understand your reasons and be happy you did!