Guide · 5 min read
Why we recommend an unplugged ceremony
An unplugged ceremony simply means asking guests to put their phones and cameras away while you say your vows. It sounds small, but it protects the most important photos of the entire day and keeps the people you love fully present. Here is why we gently recommend it to every couple.
Before you read on
Know exactly what your day costs
Every price is published, no form required. See the full pricing, then tell us your date and venue.
Phones get into the photos you paid for
Picture your aisle shot. You are walking toward the love of your life, and between you and them is a row of guests leaning out with glowing screens and outstretched arms. That phone in the aisle lands in the frame, and there is no removing it later. The unplugged ceremony keeps that view clear.
It happens at the worst possible moments, the first kiss, the walk back up the aisle, the readings. These are the frames you cannot reshoot, so a sea of phones is the one thing most likely to compromise them.
Guests who are present, not filming
An unplugged ceremony gives you faces instead of phones. When you look out during your vows, you see your people watching you with full attention, laughing and crying with you, rather than half hidden behind a screen. Those genuine reactions are some of our favorite photos to catch.
It is a gift to your guests too. They get to truly experience the moment with you, not through a small screen, and they trust that we are capturing it beautifully on their behalf.
How to ask gracefully
Keep it warm and brief. A small sign at the entrance, a line in the program, and a quick word from your officiant before the processional is plenty. Most guests are happy to oblige once they understand it helps you get the photos you are dreaming of.
We usually suggest keeping just the ceremony unplugged. Guests can photograph freely at the reception, so no one feels shut out, and the moments that matter most stay protected.
Good to know
Common questions
What is an unplugged ceremony?
It is asking guests to put phones and cameras away during the ceremony so they are fully present and out of your professional photos. They can shoot freely again at the reception.
Why do photographers recommend unplugged ceremonies?
Because phones in the aisle land in your most important, unrepeatable frames, like the first kiss and the walk back up the aisle. An unplugged ceremony keeps that view clear and your guests present.
How do we ask guests to go unplugged?
Keep it warm and simple. A small sign at the entrance, a line in the program, and a quick word from your officiant before the processional is all it takes. Most guests are glad to help.
