What is an “unplugged ceremony”?
An unplugged ceremony is a ceremony that asks guests to turn off and put away any electronic devices that will be a distraction to the wedding ceremony. This is a great way to get friends and family away from technology to enjoy the experience of the wedding day. Too often we are glued to our phones, cameras and other devices and miss the beauty of just being in the moment. It’s easy to forget that the bride and groom have hired photographers and videographers so that you don’t have to take the time to record images or videos. Yes, we all understand that this is a momentous occasion that would be fun to share on social media, but there is a time and place for snapping photos and a sacred ceremonial union of love between two people is not always the greatest time! And remember, there is a reception to follow! All the fun photos and videos will be captured during that time, anyway!
Why do we recommend unplugged ceremonies?
Ever since its invention, technology has played a large role in our lives. Lately, it seems as though we are more interested in what’s on our phone rather than what exists around us. Everyone loves the convenience of snapping pictures to later post on social media. Capturing the greatest moments of our lives is a good thing! With social media sites like Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Snapchat we get to look back at those fantastic moments. But this is why we recommend unplugged ceremonies. Unplugged ceremonies are a great way to pay attention to what’s in front of us, and to capture these moments with our hearts instead of our camera phones. Another great reason to keep your phones tucked away is that, from a photographer’s perspective, cell phones may ruin what would otherwise be a beautiful picture. Depending on the preference of the bride and groom, wedding ceremonies don’t usually exceed 30 minutes to 1 hour. It’s easy to take the time to turn off our phones and pay attention to a beautiful union for this short time.
At Your Side Planning 
Speaking as a photographer I am a huge fan of the unplugged wedding. It is not the fear of ‘Uncle John’ and his iPhone or Hasselblad that scares me, but it is funny to sometimes see guests arrive at a wedding with better gear than me!
Like many wedding photographers we live in fear that just as the decisive moment comes along, like the first kiss, the shot that we have painstakingly worked out where to be for that moment to capture it perfectly. The moment is ruined when half the congregation jump up with their phones and even tablets to take, what in all honesty, is a terrible picture of two dots roughly next to each other. That sinking feeling photographers get at that moment is awful. We are paid to get that shot so please folks don’t do it!
I am very happy to help and advise guests to get a shot, but after I have mine. Guests should understand that the couple spent a lot of money on a photographer so that we would take care of the story telling. Please let us do our job!