Mobile phones have become such a normal part of everyday life that it's almost impossible to go anywhere without somebody taking a photograph or recording a video. Weddings are certainly no exception, and over the years I've seen more and more guests wanting to capture their own little piece of the day.
I can understand that completely. It's a special occasion, people are excited and quite naturally they want a photograph of somebody they care about getting married. But there's also something worth thinking about, particularly during the ceremony itself, and that's whether everybody actually needs to be taking photographs when you've already booked somebody to do exactly that.
It's where the idea of an unplugged wedding ceremony comes in, although personally I think it sounds rather more complicated than it needs to be.
What Exactly Is an Unplugged Wedding Ceremony?
An unplugged wedding ceremony is simply one where the couple asks their guests to put their phones and cameras away while they're getting married.
It doesn't mean nobody can take a photograph throughout the entire wedding, and it certainly doesn't mean confiscating everybody's phones as they come through the door. It's usually just a request for guests to enjoy the ceremony without trying to photograph or film everything that's happening.
Once the ceremony is finished, everybody can get their phones back out, take photographs with the couple, photograph the confetti and generally carry on as normal.
It's a fairly straightforward idea, and one I can understand from both a photographer's perspective and from the couple's point of view.
The Problem With Phones During a Wedding Ceremony
One of the photographs I always want to capture is the moment somebody makes their way down the aisle. It's one of those parts of the wedding that happens once, and while I can anticipate what's about to happen and get myself into position, I can't ask everybody to do it again because somebody has suddenly appeared in front of me holding an iPad.
And yes, people really do bring tablets to weddings to take photographs!
Most guests are perfectly considerate, but occasionally somebody gets a little carried away and steps into the aisle, leans across another guest or holds their phone high above everybody else's head because they want a better view.
The difficulty is that while they're trying to get their own photograph, they can unintentionally block somebody else's view, including the photographer you've paid to capture the ceremony.
It's not usually deliberate, and I certainly don't think guests are trying to cause a problem. They're simply caught up in the excitement and probably haven't considered that what they're doing might affect the professional photographs.
But when an important moment is happening, there isn't always an opportunity to move somewhere else or wait until the person puts their phone down.
There's Another Side to It as Well
Something else worth considering is what the couple sees when they look towards their guests.
Imagine making your way down the aisle and seeing the people you've invited looking at you, smiling, perhaps getting a little emotional or simply enjoying the moment. Now imagine looking up and seeing a collection of mobile phones pointed in your direction instead.
I know which I'd rather see.
And it's not just about the photographs I'm taking. Your family and friends have come to see you get married, and there are parts of the ceremony that I think are worth enjoying without looking at them through a screen.
I quite often photograph the reactions of guests during a ceremony because those expressions can tell you just as much about the occasion as the photographs of the couple themselves.
A proud parent watching from the front row, somebody trying desperately not to cry or a little smile between two people who are sharing the moment can make a lovely photograph.
When everybody is concentrating on their phones, some of those reactions simply aren't there in the same way.
Does That Mean I Think You Should Ban Phones at Your Wedding?
Not necessarily, and I think that's an important distinction.
It's your wedding and you should be able to decide how you'd like people to enjoy it. If you don't mind guests taking photographs during the ceremony, that's absolutely fine, and I'll work around them as best I can.
I also think photographs taken by family and friends have their place. They often capture things from a completely different perspective, and sometimes those slightly imperfect photographs taken on somebody's mobile are lovely to have.
I'm certainly not going to suggest that every guest puts their camera away for the entire day just because there's a professional photographer there.
In fact, I quite like photographing guests taking their own photographs, particularly when there's a bit of laughter going on or somebody is trying to organise a group selfie.
There's a difference, though, between somebody taking a photograph while they're enjoying the drinks reception and somebody stepping into the aisle just as the bride is arriving.
That's really the part I'd encourage couples to think about.
How Do You Ask Guests to Put Their Phones Away?
If you decide you'd prefer an unplugged ceremony, you don't need to make a huge announcement about it or turn it into a collection of rules.
A little notice at the entrance to the ceremony room can work well, and it's also worth asking whoever is conducting the ceremony whether they'd be happy to remind guests before everything begins.
Something as simple as asking everyone to enjoy the ceremony without taking photographs, because the professional photographer will be capturing it for the couple, is usually enough.
You could also mention it when sending out your wedding information, particularly if you know you've got family members who like to photograph absolutely everything.
And once the ceremony is finished, there's no reason why everyone can't get their phones back out and take as many photographs as they like.
I think that makes much more sense than trying to ban photography throughout the entire wedding.
What About Guests Taking Photographs After the Ceremony?
Once you're married and everyone starts making their way outside, the atmosphere changes completely.
There's usually confetti, plenty of congratulations, people finding themselves a drink and family and friends catching up with one another. It's one of my favourite parts of a wedding to photograph because everybody tends to relax and there's always something happening.
And if guests want to take their own photographs at that point, I don't have a problem with it.
I'll still be photographing everything that's going on, including those little moments that people probably don't even realise I've noticed, but I don't believe being the wedding photographer gives me ownership of every photograph taken that day.
Sometimes the best thing is simply to let people enjoy themselves.
If somebody wants a photograph with the couple on their mobile, that's fine. If your auntie wants a photograph of the wedding cake, that's fine too, although I'll probably already have taken several myself by then.
The important thing is that the photography doesn't start getting in the way of the wedding itself.
My Thoughts After Years of Photographing Weddings
Having photographed weddings across North Yorkshire and the North East for the best part of two decades, I've seen how much wedding photography has changed. The cameras have certainly changed, and the number of people carrying a camera around in their pocket has changed even more.
But the important parts of a wedding haven't really changed at all.
People still get nervous before the ceremony, parents still get emotional, guests still laugh at things they probably shouldn't and couples still want to look back at photographs that remind them of the people who were there.
Personally, I think asking guests to put their phones away during the ceremony is worth considering, particularly if you'd prefer everybody to concentrate on what's happening rather than trying to record it.
But I wouldn't want couples feeling that they have to do it because somebody has told them it's the correct way to organise a wedding.
Have a think about what matters to you, talk it through together and make the decision that suits the wedding you're planning.
And if you do decide to have an unplugged ceremony, don't worry. I'll still be there with my cameras, making sure the important moments are photographed while everybody else gets to enjoy them.
Looking for Relaxed Wedding Photography in North Yorkshire or the North East?
If you're planning your wedding and you're looking for a photographer who'll capture the day naturally without constantly interrupting what's happening, I'd love to hear about your plans.
I photograph weddings throughout North Yorkshire, Teesside and the North East, from small church and registry office ceremonies to full-day celebrations at some lovely venues across the region.
My approach is to give a little direction when it's needed, organise the important family photographs and spend the rest of the day looking for the real moments between people, rather than turning your wedding into one long photoshoot.
Whether you've decided on an unplugged ceremony or you're quite happy for everybody to take photographs, we can have a chat about how you want your day to work and what you'd like from your wedding photography.
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