A Wedding Unplugged is my new favorite thing! I am all about being present and enjoying the moment!

I got married in 2007, and smart phones were not invented yet (promise I’m not that old). In fact, we had disposable cameras on each table at our reception (okay, I’m dating myself here). But, now in 2023, when you go to a wedding (or anywhere else for that matter)– almost everybody has their smart phone with them. And, usually not tucked away in their purse or pockets. I’m not hating on smartphones, I’d be lost without mine. I use it for #allthethings. But, I love the idea of a wedding unplugged . . . and here’s why.

1. Permission to enjoy: The bride and groom likely (hopefully) hired a professional photographer, who’s entire job is to capture all the amazing moments of that day, so you don’t have to. You get to sit back and enjoy it. If they wanted hundreds of iphone photos of their wedding, I’m going to go out a limb here and say that they wouldn’t be willing to pay thousands of dollars for a professional photographer.
2. Blocking: This one is especially important. I know you care about their day, and want it to be epic. I know you want their photos to be epic. When you’re holding your phone and leaning out into the middle of the isle, it makes it very hard for us (photographers) to do our job. We need to capture unobstructed views of the bride and groom’s first kiss, first dance, or any number of beautiful moments that happen that day, that can’t be replicated.
3. Confusion: We’ve all had that moment when multiple phones and cameras are all pointed at you and you aren’t quite sure where to look. As a wedding photographer, I am trying to get everyone to focus on me and only me! So, I can get the requested photos of the bride, groom, and their guests. I also keep a timeline, and have only have a certain amount of time to capture certain moments. When the bride and groom or other family members don’t know where to look, it slows down the process. Which can result in, missing moments or the wedding party looking in 4 different directions for some awkward photos.
4. Celebrate: This is the beauty of it all. This day won’t happen again. The bride and groom want you to embrace it! They want you to celebrate them and their new life, they want you to interact with the other guests. They want you to have the time of their life and have it be a memorable day. If everyone is stuck on their phones, that doesn’t happen.

A wedding unplugged is such a simple way to live in the moment and embrace what that day is all about. Love. Connection. Togetherness.

Also, keep in mind, you can totally break it out for some selfie’s or when someone is breaking it down on the dance floor, or whatever! Just be aware of when and where you are taking photos, making sure it isn’t intrusive to the reason you are there in the first place. If you have any more tips on a wedding unplugged drop them below!