Are you planning your dream wedding and are curious about an unplugged wedding ceremony? Keep reading to learn more about the benefits, and why you may want to consider one.

Imagine this: your wedding ceremony has begun. You’re walking down the aisle hand and hand with your father, to your soon to be husband. You’ve dreamed of this very moment for your whole life. But, instead of seeing the smiling faces and tears of your family and closest friends, you see a sea of cell phones, iPads, and cameras—completely blocking your view. Instead of experiencing the moment in real time, your guests are far too focused on capturing the moment on shaky screens and small megapixels.

Now, not only will this make you upset in the moment, but you will likely be less than pleased when you look back on your wedding photos from your ceremony. Instead of seeing your groom’s reaction, or the back of your dress as you walk down the aisle, you are again bombarded with everyone’s cell phones and guests standing in or leaning into the aisle. This is now the only documentation of this moment in time. How upsetting! 

And listen, if we’re being honest, this doesn’t just piss you or your husband off. It really ticks off your photographer(s) too. This is the biggest and most anticipated shot of the entire wedding day. And unfortunately, we cannot control how your guests act. As much as we may like to push them out of the way for your benefit, we just can’t, of course! We want the moment and photos to be perfect just like you do. All of this to say, if this is a wedding nightmare of yours, you should definitely consider asking your guests to put their phones away during your ceremony.

What is an Unplugged Wedding Ceremony and Should I Have One?

In a world where every moment is instantly shared and posted, the idea of an unplugged wedding ceremony is becoming more and more popular. But what exactly is an unplugged ceremony, and why are so many couples choosing to have one? Simply put, it’s a wedding where guests are asked to put away their devices and be fully present. No phones, no distractions—just genuine, uninterrupted connection. Most often, couples will place a sign at the ceremony entrance stating it’s an unplugged ceremony. And my best recommendation is to also have your officiant make an announcement before the ceremony begins. 

Something to note: this only applies to the ceremony. Let it be known that your guests are more than welcome to take photos at other points of the wedding day!

In this post, I’ll explain the benefits of going unplugged, how to politely ask your guests to respect your wishes and put away their phones, and why this simple choice can make your wedding day (and photos) even more meaningful. 

The Benefits of Having an Unplugged, Phone Free, Wedding Ceremony

1. Your guests will be more present.
   • Without screens in their hands focusing on capturing the entire ceremony, your guests can sit back, relax, and enjoy the experience with you!
   • All of the things that you’ve so carefully planned out, such as your dress reveal, walk down the aisle, your groom’s reaction, your vows, etc. will actually be witnessed in real time instead of behind a screen. These moments are fleeting, so you want your guests to feel the emotions in real time!
2. Your professional wedding photos will not be compromised.
   • No phones, iPads, or people will be blocking your photos of you walking down the aisle.
   • There will be no one blocking the biggest moment of the entire ceremony: your first kiss.
   • Your photographer can ensure that they get the very best, unobstructed images of your ceremony.
3. A more intimate, meaningful experience for your ceremony.
   • When your guests are not distracted by their devices and focusing on documenting the ceremony, they can truly connect with you as the couple and feel all the love.
   • Less noise, fewer interruptions or distractions, and an all around deeper atmosphere. Trust me, the last thing you want to hear is your great aunt’s custom downloaded ring tone while you say your vows.
4. No awkward social media spoilers or surprises.
   • An unplugged ceremony keeps your photos private until you decide to share them. As the couple, you want to be the first ones to share photos to social media. You don’t need your best friend’s mom sharing your newlywed photos to everyone on facebook before you even have the chance.
   • This will also eliminate blurry, unfocused, or unflattering images being shared immediately, before you even see your professional photos.

How to Politely Ask your Wedding Guests For No Phones at Your Ceremony

This may be the most important point of having an unplugged ceremony in the first place! Wanting to have one is one thing, but getting your guests to actually comply is another. Here are a few ideas, that in conjunction, should ensure that no one has their phones out during your ceremony

1. Put it on your wedding invitations.
   • You can use simple, polite wording, such as, “We invite you to be fully present during our ceremony. Please turn off all devices and experience the moment with us”.
2. Add a sign at the entrance of your ceremony.
   • Place a beautifully designed sign for your guests to see as they are taking their seats at your ceremony. Etsy.com is an amazing resource for custom designs like this. 
   • You can use wording such as, “Welcome to our unplugged ceremony. Please silence and put away all devices and be fully present in the moment with us”
3. Have your officiant make an announcement prior to the ceremony start.
   • In my opinion, this is the best way to seal the deal and ensure that guests respect your wishes. People can easily ignore a sign, but it’s harder to ignore the message when someone is speaking directly to them. 
   • At past weddings I’ve photographed, I have seen officiants make a statement such as, “The couple has requested an unplugged ceremony. Please silence all devices and put them away, and refrain from taking photos. This allows you to be fully present with us, and also allows the professional photographers to get the best photos possible. Please respect their wishes, as there will be opportunities for photos during cocktail hour and the reception”.

Addressing Potential Concerns From Guests

I first want to mention that regardless of anyone’s pushback or concerns, this is YOUR wedding day. You deserve your day to be exactly as you want it. People will always have something to say, but don’t let that affect your decisions and boundaries! However, here are a couple ways to address these concerns.

• “I want my own photos!”
  • This is probably the most common. People are so concerned about having their own photos, and often forget that that is literally what the professional photographers are there for. Remind your guests that you have hired professionals that you trust to capture your ceremony. If you’re comfortable, you can mention that you will be sharing the professional photo gallery once it is delivered. 
• “I need my phone on for emergencies”
  • Again, another thing people are very concerned about. However, what’s the likelihood that an emergency is going to occur within the duration of your ceremony? Very unlikely. Guests will have the ability to check their phones immediately after the ceremony concludes, and they can tend to any emergencies at that point. Some people may suggest turning their phones on vibrate, but that can still be heard. Especially if your ceremony is dead silent during a portion. Therefore, I would not recommend for guests to have their phones on vibrate, but only on silent or turned off.
    

Why Unplugged Weddings Are Worth It and Why You Should Consider One

The benefits of having an unplugged wedding ceremony far outweigh the drawbacks. Actually, I don’t necessarily see any drawbacks except guests being upset about not having their own personal photos. But, people that truly love you will respect your wishes and keep their phones put away.

Overall, an unplugged ceremony offers a better guest experience, distraction-free professional photos, and a more intimate and present atmosphere. Not only that, but it also prevents any surprise social media posts happening right after your first kiss. Again, your guests can totally take photos at other points of the day, and you can remind them of that!

So, despite what anyone else’s opinions are, if this is something that is important to you, embrace the unplugged ceremony! Your wedding day is about you and you deserve everything the exact way you want it. Don’t be afraid to keep your boundaries and ask guests to respect your wishes.

What are your thoughts? Would you consider having an unplugged wedding ceremony, or are you okay with guests taking their own photos? For me, I would certainly have an unplugged ceremony, but like I said, you deserve exactly what you want on your wedding day!

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