24/05/2024
It's an important detail - what to ask your guests to do regarding taking photos of your ceremony.
Sometimes, couples ask for an 'unplugged' ceremony with no photos - others just don't mind, but surprisingly, many people don’t think about this beforehand and have to make a decision on the hoof.
It's an important detail that can easily get lost amongst all the other decisions that have to be made about your big day, but it's much simpler if you've discussed and agreed what you want beforehand so that your registrar or celebrant can inform your guests of your wishes.
If you're undecided, the following points may be helpful:
1. If you have a professional photographer, some of your photos may be spoiled with guests holding phones up in front of their faces (a great photographer will work around this, but some otherwise great shots might be spoiled...)
2. If guests take photos during the ceremony, they're not really 'in the moment' as they're concentrating on their phone, rather than you
3. It can be distracting for guests around the person taking photos, and it will possibly block the view for those sitting behind
4. And some phones might flash or beep when photos are taken, and that will be distracting for you and your guests.
Of course, many couples don't have a professional photographer in which case you could ask a guest to capture the key moments. Maybe try to limit that to one or two people and ask the registrar or celebrant to allow them to get a good position so that they can get great shots of the bridal party entrance, the I do's, the rings and of course, the kissing business at the end.
My advice? Well, it's your ceremony, so it's your rules. Perhaps you ask guests not to take photos during the ceremony itself, but any other time is OK? It’s up to you. But it’s better to think about this beforehand rather than making a decision on the day.
