Unplugged weddings. What are they? And should you have one? An unplugged wedding simply means that all of your family and guests (yes all of them) turn off all of their devices (iPhones, iPads, cameras, flashes, GoPros, etc.) for your ceremony.

But the real question is why in the world to have an unplugged wedding, right? Let me preface this entire post by saying that the purpose of this is to educate both you (the couple getting married) and wedding guests. In the end, it’s up to you and your boo to decide what’s right for you <3

So why unplugged? To get straight to it, there are 2 reasons why unplugged ceremonies are such a big topic of conversation.

#1 – Guests with cameras mean tons of photos that are littered with technology and bright screens.

#2- Guests with cameras means a huge risk of missing a shot.

Yes, I’m a perfectionist. And yes, I think a shot littered with bright screens takes the focus away from the couple. But honestly? The big reason is #2. It’s my job as a wedding photographer to capture your wedding. And part of that job is guest relations and navigating to make sure I get what I need and don’t miss a thing. But guests are so unpredictable. And when you’re talking about a fast moving ceremony, you never know when someone is going to duck into the aisle last minute to get your first kiss. There’s usually not enough time to navigate around that guest and still get my shot.

I think most couples and guests are a bit oblivious to what’s happening around them. And how their small actions to get a “quick shot” to put on Instagram or Facebook truly impact the ceremony. Rather than ramble on, I think visuals are the strongest advocate <3 Here’s a little slice of what we, your wedding photographers, actually see during a ceremony <3