March 23, 2017
What is an unplugged wedding? Do you need one? How to have one! | Liz Grimes
You might ask why would an officiant care if you have an unplugged wedding. It is because we care deeply that you have the very best experience possible during your ceremony. Your beloved deserves to see you as you walk down the aisle toward them. Your professional photos should be of your guests smiling faces, not of their phones.
Your guests get to focus on and hear the beautiful words you are saying to one another, to know more about you after the ceremony than they did when they walked in. We work hard on crafting the perfect ceremony for you, representing your love and beliefs. You want your guests to hear these words and be focused on your love. These things don’t happen when guests are focused on getting the perfect shot during the ceremony.
You have spent a lot of money hiring just the right photographer and videographer to capture every special moment of your wedding day. You spent hours interviewing, reviewing portfolios, checking reviews and talking to previous couples. You know you can count on the professionals to know exactly what photos are important to you and to know what photos and moments you will want to have for future enjoyment.
Photos and videos are often the only way couples can relive their day and see all the little moments that flew past them on their wedding day.
So, when you walk down the aisle for all your guests and your loved one to see you for the first time, do you want all your guests faces covered with their cameras? Do you want your photographer or videographers view blocked by guests leaning out into the aisle with their iPads and phones, so that the paid professional misses the most important shot of your day?
With the use of phones as cameras, everyone wants to capture every moment for their own use. Without meaning to, often guests interfere with the professionals. They block access, their phones or iPads block views, and they distract the wedding party from paying attention to what is going on. Often the wedding party does not know where their attention should be—on those taking photo or on the ceremony in front of them.
It is also difficult for the guests to truly enjoy and be completely present for the ceremony when they are focused on keeping the phone/iPad steady so they get a good shot. The experience of attending a beautiful wedding ceremony is altered when done through the lens of a camera. Most couples want their guests to truly be present and enjoy and remember the ceremony they worked so hard to have. Phones ringing during the ceremony really ruins the atmosphere of the event.
Often even when on silent, the phones receiving or sending notifications can interfere with sound systems, causing them to cut in and out. This means your videographer might not get all the words spoken during the exchange of vows, or your guests can’t hear your words of love due to the interference with the PA system. It is not that you don’t want your guests to have memories of your day and their enjoyment. You can help them do that at appropriate times in appropriate ways. When you hire a professional to capture your wedding day memories, you can offer to share those images with your guests via Facebook or on your wedding website. You can provide access to them online as approved by your photographer/videographer.
To “train” your guests to your wishes, place a notice on your wedding website that your wedding will be an unplugged wedding-one where only the professionals will take photos/videos. Ask them to keep their electronic devices turned off during the wedding ceremony. Signs placed strategically at the entrance to the ceremony site will be a reminder to folks of your wishes. You can even place a notice in your wedding order of service asking that all guests keep their phones and cameras off.
Talk to your photographer, videographer and officiant about other ways to help guests have the very best experience while protecting the investment you have in your memories!
To find out more about Liz, and her husband Jac, Grimes: click HERE!
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