Why You Should Have An Unplugged Wedding and How
What is this new fascination with “unplugged” weddings? Is this just a new trend? Why are so many others doing it? The term “unplugged” refers to the idea of unplugging from our devices such as our phones, tablets, computers, television, and any other electronic device really. So, when referring to an unplugged wedding, most typically during the ceremony time, this means all of your guests and attending party members will not use their devices and in fact have them completely turned off.
So why should you have an unplugged wedding(/ceremony)?
Living in the Moment. You are finally seeing all your planning and hard work come together on your amazing day. This is all about celebrating and highlighting the love and commitment you and your partner have for one another. Normally those you have invited are people who have supported you and your partner’s relationship who you want to honor by having them present. So let them be present. When you walk down the aisle to your partner and back again as the newlyweds, you want to see all those faces and not their devices.
Blocking Views. Everyone at your wedding ceremony showed up so they could watch it all happen. Other guests who bring their devices out can easily obstruct the view of others from seeing you or forcing them to see you through their device as they hold their screen up.
Off Beat Melodies. Wow, I know you must have spent hours and hours on which songs would be included in your ceremony, especially the one you walk down the aisle to. Then an awful off beat melody plays as someone’s terrible ringtone goes off or you hear the clicking and dings from notifications. Geez, imagine if it happened during exchanging your vows! To avoid those rings, dings, and clicks have all guests completely turn off their device. Even “silent mode” can vibrate not so silently.
#WeddingFails. Remember, you have hired a professional photographer to capture those beautiful moments. The most common of wedding fails I see is the unfixable guests leaning into the aisle with their phones to take pictures. No, your photographer can not be expected to completely remove guests from these pictures in photoshop. Another wedding fail I see is when guests take pictures with flash, they interfere with your photographer’s camera settings for the shot and you will end up looking completely washed out and overexposed, which is also something that is not easily fixable.
The “Bad Guy” Rep. As your photographer tries to get the perfect shots, they will have to avoid any obstructions. Unfortunately, if your guests are those obstructions your photographer might be forced to be the “bad guy” to ask them to put their devices away. This might create unnecessary tension between your vendors and your guests as at the end of the day your vendors are trying to make sure you get the fullest out of your day. It would be easier for everyone if it was clearly communicated ahead of time that devices aren’t allowed to avoid putting any vendor through unease, but especially your photographer and videographer.
Now that you are convinced of all the reasons why you should have an “unplugged wedding” let me give you some advice on how to make it happen.
Have Signage. Have appropriate signage around the venue grounds that is clearly visible and repeats more than once. The best “unplugged” signage normally blends well with your decor style and has a larger “main” sign close to the ceremony entrance to ensure your guests see it on their way to their seats.
Have An Announcement. Let someone like your officiant or wedding coordinator know you want them to make an official announcement right before the ceremony starts that you and your partner have requested all guests turn their devices completely off for the duration of the ceremony. This way guests are all hearing the same thing and those who don’t listen are going directly against you and your partner’s wishes, and no one wants to be “that” person.
Give Them Notice. Allow your guests time to prepare by stating in your invitations that you are going the “unplugged” route. This way they know what to expect and won’t have much excuse they “didn’t know” once it’s been sitting right there on their fridge for months.
Allow Your Guests “A Minute”. A newer alternative to having an unplugged wedding is allowing your guests “a minute.” What this means is that your guests keep their phones off during their ceremony as planned. The only difference is that you make an announcement in the beginning, middle, or end of the ceremony that all of your guests are allowed to take as many photos as they like for a full 60 seconds. This way you satisfy your guests desires to get photos while also satisfying your own desires for no unscheduled disruptions.
I hope this has been insightful and helpful!
