Choosing an Unplugged Ceremony
Should You Have an Unplugged Ceremony?
A Photographer’s Take
When it comes to planning your wedding, there are a lot of little decisions — some big, some small — and one that often gets overlooked is whether or not to have an unplugged ceremony.
So what does that even mean?
An unplugged ceremony is when you kindly ask your guests to put away their phones, cameras, and iPads (yes, they still happen), so everyone can be present — really present — with you while you say your vows.
As a photographer who has been at many ceremonies, here’s my honest take on why going unplugged might be worth considering.
1. Your Guests Will Be More Present
You’re inviting your closest people to witness one of the most meaningful moments of your life. It’s hard to do that with a phone in front of their face. An unplugged ceremony allows your guests to actually watch you walk down the aisle, hear your vows, and feel the moment — not just record it. You want your family, friends and guests to be truly be in the moment with you without any distractions.
2. It Keeps the View Clear for Your Photographer
One of the biggest reasons I gently recommend unplugged ceremonies? So I can do my job well.
There’s nothing worse than setting up for that beautiful aisle shot, only to have someone lean out with a phone and block the view. Or when a guest’s flash accidentally goes off and ruins a once-in-a-lifetime moment. It happens more than you’d think and can create some real issues when it comes to editing your images.
When everyone’s present and hands-free, I can move around freely and capture those moments without distractions — for you, and for generations to come.
3. Your Photos Will Look Cleaner and More Timeless
Phones and tablets in the background of every photo? Not the look most couples are going for. An unplugged ceremony keeps your images clean, classic, and focused on what really matters: you two, and the emotion in the room.
4. There’s Still a Way to Share It All
If guests are worried they’ll miss the chance to snap a photo, remind them: that’s my job. They’ll get to relive every moment through your professional gallery — with better lighting, better angles, and no blurry iPhone pics. The images we capture will be beautifully edited, you can choose which to share and when and you’ll have sneak peaks within 48 hours.
Want to go a step further? Set up a beautiful sign at the entrance, or have your officiant say a few words before the ceremony begins. A simple message like, “The couple kindly asks you to put away your devices and be fully present during this special moment,” goes a long way.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, your wedding is yours. If having guests take photos feels right to you, that’s okay too. But if you’re leaning toward something more intentional and present, an unplugged ceremony creates space for just that.
And trust me — when you get your photos back and see everyone smiling, watching, and actually there with you in that moment, you won’t regret it.
Want to talk through what an unplugged ceremony could look like for your day? I'm always happy to share tips, signage ideas, or wording that feels true to you. Let's make it your own.
