Five Reasons To Have An Unplugged Wedding

WHAT IS AN UNPLUGGED WEDDING?

An unplugged wedding is when you ask your guests to turn off all their digital distractions during your ceremony.

The force of social media is a strong one. We are living in YouTube times and the documentation of everything has become normal behaviour. It’s not unique to weddings. Gig goers can certainly relate to the increasing annoyance of people constantly filming on their phones. Grrrr! Last year Jack White and Sam Smith even demanded phones be locked away in special pouches in an effort to encourage fans to enjoy their show for real. Not through the pixels on a digital display.

We’re not suggesting you go full rockstar-diva and all mobile phones should be banned at your wedding. No way Jose! However asking your friends and fam to unplug and go tech-free for a short time during your ceremony does not seem like an unreasonable request. So that’s why we always tell our couples about the beauty of an unplugged wedding ceremony!

WHY SHOULD WE HAVE AN UNPLUGGED WEDDING?

There are plenty of advantages to asking guests to go tech-free for your ceremony and it’s becoming increasingly popular. So here’s our five top reasons why you should consider an unplugged wedding ceremony:

1. Invite your guests to share in the moment

Guests should put the phones down, enjoy the real life experience and share in the moment. Actual scientists have proven that the ‘photo-taking-impairment effect’ is a real thing too. Research suggests you are less likely to remember an event well by taking a photo than if it was simply observed. So your guests may make better memories by being fully present without the distraction of gadgets.

2. Keep your evening guests excited

The evening crew will be bursting with excitement about seeing you looking all amazing for the first time. Yeah baby! However a cheeky guest post on social media during the ceremony might spoil their fun. So an unplugged wedding is the easy solution to take away the temptation for maximum impact. There will be professional photos for you to share soon enough!

Bride and groom enjoying their unplugged wedding at The Inn At Whitewell.

3. Less noise and no distractions

A tech-free ceremony means no phones going off and no annoying camera flashes. Also there’s less chance guests might unintentionally cause a distraction by taking their own photos. If your guests are not being preoccupied by technology, we can all focus on the feels!

Groom getting emotional at his unplugged ceremony at Bassmead Manor Barns.

4. Let’s see those happy faces

You will want to see those smiles and so do we! It’s become second nature to reach for the phone at all times. But wouldn’t it be great to see everyone looking up from their gadgets for a little while. Less faces hiding behind phones and fewer tablet devices obstructing views during your ceremony. Happy faces are a win-win for everybody.

Vicar praising this unplugged ceremony during this Lancashire church wedding.

5. Leave it to the pros

Hey, you know we’ve got this. We will document your day whatever happens naturally. It’s really all about capturing you and your loved-ones enjoying the moment and having fun. Phone pics are never that great and there will always be plenty of other opportunities for guests to take selfies later.

A beautifully lit unplugged wedding ceremony at Didsbury House Hotel.

How to have an unplugged wedding ceremony

If you decide an unplugged wedding sounds right for you, that’s great! There are several ways to have an unplugged or tech-free ceremony. Here’s a few tricks we can recommend that our couples have used:

Spread the word in advance

Firstly prepare your guests by giving them a heads up. Tell guests you are having an unplugged ceremony on your wedding website and invitations. Preparation is often the key to success.
Give me a sign

Inform guests by welcoming them to your unplugged wedding in a program or with awesome signage at the venue.
Shout out

Ask the celebrant or priest to make an announcement to kindly remind your guests to keep the phones and cameras packed away.
We’ve got this

Finally reassure everyone that you will be sharing lots of your awesome pro photographs from throughout the day. This might make ditching the devices that little bit easier.

Unplugged ceremony wedding signs at venues and churches.

For more fab wedding planning inspiration check out our other Never Mind The Bunting features. We look forward to hearing all about your plans. So get in touch, and let’s chat about the good times to come!