What is an unplugged ceremony or an unplugged wedding?

You will read the expression on blogs and in wedding magazines, but what is an unplugged ceremony?

Unplugged means, that your guests leave their phones and cameras in their pockets.
So the only person taking photos are the photographers that you hired.

Some couples opt to have an unplugged ceremony, some even have an entirely unplugged wedding day.

Let’s look at the benefits, if any, and downsides of them.

3 good resons not to go unplugged

There are some distinct disadvantages to having an unplugged wedding:

1. People will look…

The ceremony is the start of your wedding. It is when people first see you in your wedding outfits and the key part of your day.
When your guests are not distracted by their tech or the effort to get a certain photo, they will be more in the moment and they will actually look at you.
And they will continue to look at you for as long as you keep them off their phones.

2. People will interact…
Again, when people are not distracted, they will also interact more. Like talking to the person next to them.
It’s the perfect recipe for a fall out and a wedding brawl, don’t you think. If they don’t interact, they can’t have a disagreement. Better to keep them playing candy crush saga or learn Spanish with Duo!

3. No I-pads and phones obscuring faces in your photos…
If you think this is an advantage, consider having your Uncle Bob’s pink face, because he has already downed several pints, gracing your wedding photos. Would you really want that?! I say, let him take shaky photos on his i-pad and hide behind it all day.

How to decide whether to have an unplugged ceremony

First of all, some registrars will insist on an unplugged ceremony. So if this is an absolute no for you, consider having a celebrant led ceremony. Because only then are you in full control of your ceremony.
I explain all you need to consider for a celebrant led wedding in my blog: Should you hire a celebrant?

Other than that, the decision of whether to have an unplugged ceremony or even a fully unplugged wedding day rests with you.

Some photographers hate people whacking out their phones during the ceremony, and even go as far as replacing them, with the help of AI, with chickens or my little ponies.
I won’t do that. It is your wedding, your guests, your call!

However, there are a few things to consider when deciding on an unplugged ceremony:

Having an unplugged ceremony will mean people are more in the moment and they will speak to others, meaning the whole day starts of a lot more interactive and friendly. On the other hand, it gives them more opportunity to say something that peeves someone else off, but so does shoving their phones into each other’s line of sight.

And concerning Uncle Bob…it is an actual memory of your day, and once he is gone, him being pickled even before the party started, will be a fun antic you will laugh about. Would having photos documenting him be a bad thing?

My personal experience with unplugged ceremonies

We didn’t care enough to even think about it, but our registrar insisted on an unplugged ceremony. And it was actually really nice.

While I was walking down the aisle people locked eyes with me directly rather than trough their phone screen. It made these moments very personal.
And having my mother’s face, rather than her i-pad in our photographer’s photos, is great.

On the other hand, when photographing weddings, having a phone screen in the photo that shows what I am photographing can create quite a lovely endless mirror effect. As long as it is not blocking my photo.

One thing I would highly recommend if you decide that an unplugged wedding or ceremony is for you: Don’t try to tell people. Make it clear with signage!

You will never be able to tell people off without ruffling some feathers.
The “offender” would be blaming the person who is reminding them of your unplugged request.

And don’t put too much effort into enforcing it.
There is always someone who does not follow the rules or requests. As long as they are not bothering anyone, getting in the way of your paid for photographer, just let them be.

Your wedding is a happy occasion. Don’t let one or two drunken phone wielding guests overshadow it.

Whichever way you decide, whether unplugged or fully-teched-up to the teeth, I would love to help with your handfasting or alternative wedding photography. Get in touch here!

Bright blessings,

 Alternative Wedding And Handfasting Photographer UK and EU