An unplugged wedding is when guests are asked to not use their electronic devices (cell phones, iPads, personal cameras, etc.) during a wedding. Typically this happens during a wedding ceremony, but can include the reception. Here’s a few benefits and tips if you’re considering having an unplugged wedding.

Benefits of an Unplugged Wedding

  1. There are less distractions. Guests are fully present during your wedding ceremony (rather than concerned with snap-chatting, reading e-mails or candy-crushing…)
  2. Images of guests with their phones above their face will not be in your professional wedding photos. Do you really want to see 20 of your friends taking your picture instead of the photographer focusing on you and your partner as you walk down the aisle?
  3. The flash from guests’ cameras will not ruin a beautiful capture by your professional photographer.
  4.  Your photographer and wedding planner will not have to constantly ask guests to move out of the way. (It is a nuisance for photographers when your cousin thinks he’s a pro with his DSLR).

Tips for an Unplugged Wedding

  1. Tell your guests in advance. It is acceptable to add a polite note on your wedding invitation or casually share via word of mouth, (especially to your best friend who tweets every three minutes).
  2. Have a sign at your wedding explaining it’s unplugged (you can add why). Be nice about it. Don’t demand your guests turn off their phones, instead use wit, humour, and don’t forget to add “please”.
  3. Ask your officiant or emcee to make an announcement beforehand reminding guests the wedding is unplugged.
  4. Offer to share photos with your guests after. You can e-mail a private gallery link via your photographer’s website or share a private Facebook album.
  5. Lead by example. If you’re the master of Instagram (which isn’t a bad thing!) and end up posting pictures throughout your wedding day…your activity will likely encourage your guests to do the same. If you’re having an unplugged wedding, be an unplugged bride and groom.

Should my wedding reception be unplugged too?
It’s a personal choice if you’d like your reception to be unplugged. It is more difficult to control guests from using their electronic devices during a reception (after all, who doesn’t want a selfie in the middle of the dance floor…?). Instead of a completely unplugged wedding, you can opt to have your emcee inform guests about the usage of cameras before key reception moments, such as your First Dance or Cake-Cutting. 

While it can be a challenge for some to put down their phones in today’s digital world, we must remember the long-term benefits of being present in the moment cannot be measured by any number of social media likes.

Banner photo: Rosetta Li Photography