Feature Image by Kendra Allen
Your wedding should be one of the most special days of your life. But an important moment like walking down the aisle or leaning in for your first kiss as a married couple doesn’t need to be ruined by the sound of a phone ringing or endless screens in your face snapping shots of you. This is why unplugged weddings (AKA weddings with no cell phones) are becoming more popular.
According to a recent Zola survey of over 500 couples, 80% of people are planning on having an unplugged wedding. 90% of those people want an unplugged ceremony, while 5% don’t want cell phones present for the reception either. Jennifer Spector, director of brand at Zola, explained, “Unplugged weddings are a great way to encourage guests to be present in [the] moment.”
If you’re thinking of banning phones at your wedding, here are some tips on how to do it.
Let guests know ahead of time
Don’t surprise everyone on the day of your wedding. Instead, give them a fair warning that you don’t want cell phones present. Spector recommended “sharing your unplugged plans on your wedding website so guests know what to expect before they even arrive.”
Ask close friends and family for help
Let’s face it: every guest probably didn’t read every word on your wedding website. In the days leading up to the wedding and the day of, ask a few close friends and family members to spread a friendly reminder that cell phone use isn’t appreciated.
Make sure there’s a visible reminder
Still, you can’t rely on just word of mouth either. Make sure you place a reminder somewhere at the ceremony or reception that is hard to miss. Spector said, “On the wedding day, couples often include a sign at the entrance of the ceremony, a note in the program, and have the officiant make an announcement.”
Collect everyone’s phones before the ceremony begins
The fact is, some people will use their phones even if you ask them not to. If you feel really strongly about the unplugged idea, you can have someone collect phones before the ceremony begins. Just know that some guests may not be thrilled with this idea!
Enlist your photographer to help
Since your photographer will likely be keeping an eye on things most of the day, you can ask them to help keep people in line. Spector said, “Ask them to politely speak with anyone using technology that may cause distractions in your photos.”
Don’t stress over it too much
Yes, visible cell phones or the flash may mess with some photos, and yes, some guests may not be fully present, but at the end of the day, try not to focus too much on those who aren’t paying attention to your unplugged idea. This is your big day – don’t let anything ruin it!
xx, The FabFitFun Team
