Put simply, an ‘unplugged’ event is one where guests are asked to stay off their electronic devices for the duration, or at least for part of the wedding day. So this highly personal decision means no phones, cameras or iPads are allowed for as long as is requested.
What are the benefits of an unplugged wedding?
Potentially, there are more benefits to implementing this idea for your wedding than you may have realised. Here are a few of them:
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The focus remains on you
It goes without saying that it’s your wedding day. (And if you can’t be a tiny bit selfish on your wedding day, when can you?) If you ban digital devices, everyone stays fully present in the moment and engaged in the wedding ceremony and celebrations. The focus is on the happy couple, and no one’s mind is elsewhere.
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Greater intimacy on your wedding day
Without the distraction of phones and so on, and their constant pinging notifications, people are likelier to talk to each other, and you should feel a greater sense of emotional intimacy from your guests. When you walk down the aisle, stand to make speeches, or gaze out across your reception, you’ll see people rather than a sea of screens and flashes. And you won’t feel as though you’re being papped!
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It helps your wedding photographer
Your photographer will be able to get the shot they want without being obstructed by guests who are themselves trying to take pictures. After all, your wedding photos should be of faces, not people taking snaps.
Myriame Lawley will send the gallery to the bride and she can share the link to all the guests so they can all see the photos from the day, so everyone has access to the best-quality images after the event. Or you could have a photo booth for fun selfies to complement the professional album.
Telling wedding guests about going unplugged
As you can imagine, there are multiple ways to let guests know you don’t want digital devices being waved around during all or part of your wedding day. So it’s easy enough to go unplugged.
Add this point to your wedding website, invitations or any other pre-event information. Tell the vicar, registrar or other celebrant to announce it as well; equally, you could have it on signs at your venue on the day as a final reminder. You can buy some very attractive and tasteful ‘Welcome to our unplugged wedding’ noticeboards these days.
A personal decision…
Clearly, it’s absolutely your wedding day, so it’s entirely up to you whether you decide to ‘unplug’ your wedding, or to compromise with a phone-free ceremony before allowing devices at your evening reception.
But a few offline hours could be the perfect antidote in an era in which we’re increasingly switched on and living our lives via social media.
Or, of course, you may feel that you don’t want to tell guests what they should do with their gadgets.
Hire a professional wedding photographer
As a professional wedding photographer, I appreciate this argument, but I can also see the benefits of at least temporarily banning devices. I can’t tell you what to do – but I’m always happy to discuss going unplugged with the couples I work with, so do feel free to bring the issue up when you meet me to discuss your wedding photography. Contact me today to find our more about how I can capture your perfect day.
