Unplugged complaining

"I'm so thrilled that you're excited for our wedding too! We hired an amazing photographer to capture photos so all of us can really just be in the moment together rather than viewing it through a screen. Once we get the photos, we'll gladly pass some along to the guests!" Or something to that effect.

Show them these photos and how tacky it looks. You are spending a lot of money on photography, and do not want this in your photos, or your photographer to have to compromise on the quality of pictures (or miss pictures of big moments all together! ) because they are dodging people with cell phones.

Sorry, photos didn’t attach the first time

You can put the word out and put a sign up, but some people will do it anyway. We asked that our guests didn’t post pics on social media and 90% followed our request.

I second what Shannon said. We did signs, put something on our website, and spread word by mouth, but there were still some that took pictures anyway. It happens. Thankfully it wasn’t a whole lot so the pictures weren’t ruined.

I actually talked to my photographer about this and he told me not to stress about it. He said it doesn’t matter if you put up a sign or not, people will still pull or “sneak” their cameras out. He works in a team of two and he said if they get in his way, they’ll ask them to move. He said, in his opinion, the unplugged ceremony signs and “ask” were a waste of time and money. So, I opted not to do it.

View Quoted Comment That's good to know, I guess my biggest worry is people posting on social media. I don't want them posted, but I guess you're right if they want to take pics they are going to do it regardless of any signs or messages.

View Quoted Comment Someone posted an unflattering picture of me on FB, which is exactly what I was trying to avoid by asking guests not to post pictures. I asked her to take it down and she did.

I'd just tell people that you hired a professional photographer, you'll send out the professional photos once you get them, and when you look back on pictures that you want to be able to see their faces, not their phones. You can also ask your officiant to make an announcement beforehand.

I've never understood why this is something guests get worked up over. It's not like anyone but the couple will look back on those photos. It also costs $0 to be respectful of someone else's wishes (whereas wedding photographers DO cost money).

View Quoted Comment Thank you so much for your reply, I also have no idea why people get so upset when we ask them to not take photos at the wedding. I think my future mom in law really wants to take pics too. Well I won't let things ruin my day, good tip to have the officiant announce that as well. 3 more days before the big day!!

As an alternative, this is what two of my friends are doing for their ceremony in October and this is what they put on their FAQs on their wedding website:

We are having an "unplugged" ceremony. This just means we are asking for all phones and devices to be silenced and put away. We did hire a photographer to take pictures for us, and we would hate to have any phones/ devices blocking anything. We will give you time before the ceremony starts to snap a selfie and send off to the bride and groom. This will allow them to wake up the next morning and see all the love awaiting them before saying, "I do!"

I had another friend do something similar for their ceremony (once the bride walked down the aisle they paused the ceremony and said "everyone can take a picture now" and it allowed the bride and groom to look out over their guests) but it really didn't stop people from taking other pics and videos throughout the ceremony.

View Quoted Comment Love that idea, thanks for sharing them!!

I am also having an unplugged ceremony and mentioned it on my wedding website. I made a FAQ page and one of the questions is "Can I take pictures?" my answer was "Misty Higgins is a very talented photographer who we are honored to have photograph our big day! With that being said, we are asking that devices please be silent and put away during the ceremony. You can take as many pictures as you would like before and after. We can't wait to get pictures of our ceremony back and see all of our loved ones faces rather than their devices!" So far, no pushback.

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I think that last paragraph can help people get through the ceremony better. It lets them have that moment to capture the pictures on their own phone just for that last moment.